Move over, bulls: Dorothy Alt becomes Elks Lodge's first female leader
Dorothy Alt was sworn in Saturday as exalted ruler of the Baraboo Elks Lodge, the first female to earn the honor. Here, she holds an old sign banning ladies from "lodge nights." The club began accepting female members in 1996.
BEN BROMLEY / NEWS REPUBLIC
Dorothy Alt was sworn in Saturday as exalted ruler of the Baraboo Elks Lodge, the first female to earn the honor. Here, she holds an old sign banning ladies from "lodge nights." The club began accepting female members in 1996.
By Ben Bromley / News Republic
You might think a title like "exalted ruler" would come with a golden scepter or a foppish hat, but Dorothy Alt has neither. What she has instead is a historic title: She's the first woman to lead the Baraboo Elks Lodge.
Apparently there is some controversy going on in Canada. They appear to be trying to merge the Elks of Canada (men) with the Royal Purple (women) since it has been 15 years since women were allowed into the Elks of Canada. If you go to their website, that 'merger' is apparently not going on very well. Canadian Elks number 12,000, ladies 3000. About 250 locations/lodges
In 1909, the annual convention of the fraternal organization known as The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks included, among other diversions: a visit to an ostrich farm, "free to all Elks and their ladies"; a yacht regatta; parades; a "daylight" fireworks display; 1,000 cars at members' disposal; and 10,000 pounds of "beef, pork, and mutton," barbecued in "ten mammoth barbecue pits."
Ranting and rambling on the Elks Rodeo
By Brad Memberto / Sports Writer / bmemberto@santamariatimes.com
"Are you Kidding Me?"
"How come?"
"Really?"
"There's no way - How long have you lived here?"
"Come on - why not?"
Those were the comments of the first five people who I knew that I ran into Friday night at my first visit to the Elks Rodeo.
Yes ladies and gentlemen, it was my first rodeo.