Although women had long represented a majority of educators, Phi Delta Kappa remained an all-male organization through 1973. Ms. Weith recounts how the foresight and perseverance of several PDK members led to a new era for the association. There has been some activity in regard to the admission of women into Phi Delta The extent of the activity is such that the Board may want to give consideration to it. --Lowell C. Rose So began a report to the PDK board of directors, written in February 1971 by brand-new Executive Secretary Lowell Rose, that would take him, the board, and Phi Delta Kappa on a historic ride that would literally change the face of the fraternity.1 It makes sense that the issue erupted at this time--Title IX was in the works, feminism was a popular media topic, and the Baby Boomers were just beginning to flood the professional fields. But it is all too easy to jump to conclusions about the whole phenomenon--that PDK, as a major representative of a profession filled with women, was woefully behind the times; that the transition was accomplished by its younger generation; and that it was over in 1974 when the first woman was officially initiated. The history of this PDK saga is more interesting than that. It is, in fact, more a testimony to foresight, political savvy, persistence, and survival. We all know the outcome, but it is fitting to revisit the story in PDK's centennial year. THE LEAD-UP Until 1973, Section 822 of the Constitution Constitution and Bylaws of Phi Delta Kappa read: Only males of good character shall be eligible to membership in Phi Delta Kappa. Efforts to change the constitution and open membership to women were first brought to the floor of PDK's biennial council in December 1969 by Robert Matthai, the delegate of the Harvard University Chapter. With a touch of humor and wit that set the tone for much of the proceedings, Brother Matthai moved to amend the constitution: I find myself in the unenviable position of bringing before this group a controversial, and, in fact, an unpopular topic, and to take a parallel from our neighbors to the South, I would like to say that I feel a bit like the bull that was about to enter the ring. He is going to put up the good fight, but he knows that in the end he is going to get it in the neck. Nonetheless, here is the resolution: The Harvard Chapter moves that the 32nd Council adopt amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws necessary to open membership in Phi Delta Kappa to women. Robert Bogen of the George Peabody College Chapter seconded the motion. The discussion that followed revealed passionately held views, delivered with an oratorical flair that generally has been lost to history. One delegate, in urging defeat of the motion, argued the importance of retaining a distinct male organization because had been dominated by women since the Civil War and Phi Delta Kappa needed to preserve the that teaching is [also] a man's job. Another delegate reasoned that women already had their own organizations and did not want to be part of a male fraternity. For good measure, he buttressed his argument by citing a phone call from his wife testifying to that effect. Others posited that women might dilute the quality of the fraternity and its meetings and that educational psychologists were on record supporting the importance of a masculine image and masculine values in the development of children, especially since women already exerted such a powerful influence in the profession. It also was pointed out that the council's legislative committee had opposed Harvard's proposal by 38 to 4. In defense of the amendment, Matthai pointed to the important role of women in the profession, their numbers, and their many contributions to educational research and practice. …