Remember the sign outside the clubhouse door that said “NO Girls Allowed”? As much as it may have hurt us then, we haven’t let the “boys only” mentality slow us down. Today, clubs geared towards women are cropping up in the most unlikely of places, thus making it harder for men to feel like they have cornered the market on same-sex only clubs. At one point women were restricted to their weekly Bridge games and sewing groups. Women are still card playing divas, but today’s women are likely to be Texas Hold Em masters while other women still take up the knitting needles whilst participating in their local women’s government groups.
The Evolution
At one point women’s groups were small neighbourhood meetings amongst the Mums who stayed at home tending children. They would meet for coffee, lunch, a game of cards, and then it would be off to tend to the family again. It was a way of coping for many of these women. They were a means to get out of the house and talk with other women and be social. In the beginning, many women’s clubs were thought of as just that; social clubs. However societal movements such as the Civil Rights movements in the United States, caused women to take a more in depth look at themselves. Women that chose careers over kids began to view themselves as more than simply housewives and those that were at home tending to children also saw a shift in how women should be viewed. The effects of Feminist movements and Civil Rights were felt the world over.
Types of Women’s Groups
As women have begun to question their role as housewives only, they have also begun to see the potential for them in the world. Women chose career fields that at one time only men had lead the way in. More women became doctors, engineers, business owners, and even politicians. Women’s voices strengthened and became more powerful; thus society started to perk up and listen.
Today women can choose from nearly any kind of group they can think of, all that is needed is an interest in something and a desire to belong to a larger voice. Some of the more popular groups gaining women participants are:
- Government
- Politics
- Business
- Spiritual
- Family
- Hobbies
It’s not surprising that women are forming groups that encompass their families and spiritual beliefs but as more women enter the business world, the women’s only networking groups and business oriented groups are climbing as well.
Benefits of Women’s Groups
Maybe you thought you were the only rock climbing enthusiast but with a little searching, you can discover that you are not in the minority; there are many rock climbing and extreme sporting groups for women. Perhaps you like to ride. If so you are in luck because women’s motorcycle groups are gaining in popularity as women move from the back of the bike to the front!
Being a part of a group isn’t only about interests. For many women, it’s a way to create change; in their communities and globally. It’s a form of activism and channelling a difference in how the world around them is run.
Finding the Right Club
If you’ve considered joining a women’s group there is no time like the present. Whether you are looking to build up your community, be a voice for women in government, learn a new hobby, or get fit with like-minded women, there are clubs for you. A simple search through your local paper can bring up numerous results in the community section while an Internet search may bring up hundreds more. Check with friends, colleagues, or even your local visitor’s centre to see what clubs may be in your area.
If you don’t have a club in your area that fits your needs, why not start one? One popular club for women are book clubs. These are relatively easy to form and your local library can provide not only assistance in finding members but may even be able to provide you with a place to meet. Women’s book clubs usually meet weekly and last for a couple of hours so that lively discussion about current reads can be had.
Involving yourself in a women’s only club is an excellent way to stay in touch with what is going on in your area as well as meet new people, mentor others, and gain new found knowledge. Getting rid of the idea that clubs are just for men is another way women are helping to change their world.
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