One Small Step for Womankind

With a membership of 270,000 men between the ages of 18 and 36, the Jaycees (formerly the Junior Chamber of Commerce) has often been called one of the nation's largest men's clubs. But no longer. Last week the civic organization voted to change its bylaws and offer full membership to women. The move came in response to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in July, which held that the large and nonselective group was equivalent to a public accommodation. Thus, the court said, the Jaycees are subject to antidiscrimination laws.

The Jaycees did not abolish their women's chapters, which have 59,700 members. Indeed, some of the women want to hold on to their separate status. Said Suzanne Stephens, president of Oklahoma Jaycee Women: "It would be more progressive to keep two organizations be cause we are giving men the opportunity to do their thing and women to do their thing."

Elsewhere, members of both sexes welcomed the vote. In fact, some Jaycees chapters have admitted women for several years. But they have had to hide this fact from the national organization by listing initials rather than first names on their membership rolls.