Woman Is Admitted to Elks Lodge

Heather Walter has become the first woman to join Thousand Oaks Elks Lodge 2477, though she has a long history with the group.

Walter said she can’t remember a time when she wasn’t helping her father, Dick Flittner, at the lodge.

She said it was in March when she noticed her guest membership as Flittner’s daughter was about to expire.

Walter, who is involved in marketing and business development with Financial West Group, asked if she could renew her guest membership but was told she couldn’t because she is single and over 21.

So Walter, 36, said she decided to pursue her own lodge membership. “I got references and handed in an application,� she said.

“I like what [membership] represents. They help sponsor Boy Scouts, donate money to the crippled children, give out grants and scholarship awards,� the Thousand Oaks resident said.

Flittner sponsored Walters for membership.

Although women have been allowed to become members of Elks lodges only in recent years, they have long been part of the group’s traditions.

The Elks Ladies is an auxiliary for the wives of lodge members. They hold their own meetings, support their own charities and help the men with their fund-raisers.

Patti Serota of Thousand Oaks said she doesn’t believe the Elks Lodge will steal members from the women’s group, because only women married to Elk members are allowed in the Elks Ladies.