Elks Reject 2 Women Despite Mandate

Despite diminishing numbers among an aging fraternity and a national, legally inspired mandate last fall to admit women, the Long Beach lodge of the Order of the Elks has rejected as members two women who practically hail from “Elkdom.” In solidarity with the rejected women, six recently admitted men have declined membership.

“It was a real shock,” said Dorothy Bryant, 49.

Admittance requires a two-thirds’ majority approval at Lodge No. 888, where the average age is 70.

The lodge’s membership of 1,800 is down from 9,000 in the 1960s. All are male. In 1995, 67 new dues-paying members were initiated, but more than 100 died. Exalted Ruler Carl P. Bechdolt, who was unavailable for comment, wrote in the February issue of the lodge’s monthly publication that the group needs to “initiate 144 new candidates . . . to offset losses anticipated and already experienced.”

“It really breaks my heart,” said Virginia Severson, 70, who also was rejected. “Let’s face it. These are modern times, too modern to stand around in a formal and white gloves. I wanted to try to keep the lodge afloat.”

As a girl, Severson was a drum majorette for the Elks band once led by her father in Fargo, N.D. Her three brothers and boyfriend are all members of the 128-year-old charitable organization. Bryant learned her manners at the order’s father-daughter banquets. Her father was an Elk in the local lodge for more than 35 years.

Hoping to infuse the organization with new lifeblood and pay tribute to her father, Bryant also recruited her brother and another five friends to apply with her. All men, their interviews lasted only a few minutes, she said. She and Severson, however, were questioned for more than an hour each on subjects ranging from family matters to professional concerns.

“I basically chatted with the guys,” recalled Tony Tryon, 50. “They asked me if I was loyal to the flag and if I believed in God, and then they told me how nice it would be to have me as a member and all about the different groups and activities I could join.”

Tryon and the other men recruited by Bryant were admitted but decided not to join when she was rejected.

“We were all anxious to be members, but they didn’t accept the ladies, so we don’t accept the Elks,” Tryon said. “You know, in about 10 years, there’s going to be six lonely old Elks standing there by themselves, selling the property, and that will be the end of the Elks.”