It might be too early to worry about reverse discrimination with regard to women, but women-only colleges, like Wellesley, Mills and Smith are thriving and so are the ladies who lunch and wear extraordinary hats. They are the ones who’ve kept the women-only associations alive.
Membership in these organizations, largely charitable, has altered over the years, however. Notably, the younger generation isn’t giving way their husband’s wealth but their own. They are professional women who have put their careers on hold to have children but want to apply their skills to a good cause. The Women’s Committee of the Central Park Conservancy is a prime example. Their goal is to drive out muggers and make the green space a haven for families. Make no mistake, these women who drink tea and don fantastical hats would be heavy hitters at any gathering. Already, their fundraising efforts contribute 20% to Central Park’s budget. (“All the Ladies,” by Alessandra Stanley, Town&Country, June/July 2018, pg. 169.)
“It’s easier to complete a project if your give it to a group of women,” says one proud member. “I find that in meetings women are more organized and to the point,” says another.
Ouch, guys. A comment like that must hurt. Still, if the old hunter-gather model has any truth, females are generalists. As one member explains, women are “like radar towers that pick up lots of signals simultaneously.” (Ibid, pg. 170) In modern terms, what they do is multi-task.
One husband, who scoffed at the hat his wife was wearing to one of the teas, decided to tag along. He couldn’t imagine how work could get done in those silly outfits. According to his wife, he had such a good time, he hasn’t missed another. (Ibid pg. 170.).
Women-only boards have been so successful of late that a few envious males have begun to grumble. “In March, the New York Human Rights Commission began looking into whether the clubs violate gender discrimination laws.” (Ibid pg. 170.)
While I’m loath to point out the boys started this discrimination thing, I am surprised, when they complain because “girls just wanna have fun.” (Click)