March is International Woman’s History Month. I will be featuring women like Sylvia Whitlock who are first women to venture into new areas, to carve out new paths for women.Dr. Whitlock became the first Rotarian President of the Duarte Club, whose admission caused the ouster of the Rotary Club of Duarte, and so Sylvia joined the Ex-Rotary Club of Duarte.  Sylvia became Club President in 1987, the year the United States Supreme Court ruled that the club be reinstated, thus making her the first woman in the Rotary World to head a club as President. (In 1988 I was the first women invited to join the Hollywood Rotary Club, and today, I am the President of the RotaryeclubofWorldpeac.org, thanks to Sylvia). 
She was born in New York City and educated in Kingston, Jamaica. Returned to New York City to earned a B.A. in Psychology from Hunter College. Sylvia worked for the United Nations, as a Statistical Clerk, at the Secretariat Building in New York, before moving to California to start a career in Education. She has served as President twice, Secretary, Treasurer, and Foundation Representative. At district level, she chaired the Four Way Test Speech committee for six years, the Ambassadorial Scholarship Committee for six years and Simplified Grants for two years. She has been an assistant governor, presenter in Governors Institutes, and speaker in Rotary Clubs, conventions and meetings, in the USA and overseas. In 1988 Sylvia attended her first International Convention.  Listen to hear how she credits her grandmother for telling her “she could do anything” and her career has proven she can and is a true woman trailblazer.

Sylvia considers Rotary to be the best vehicle she knows for humanitarian ventures in service to the world. Some favorite club projects have included sinking water wells in Nigeria, setting up an AIDS Center in Jamaica and supporting an orphanage in Mexico.
Sylvia is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow and benefactor. She has three adult children and considers raising her children the most satisfying and enjoyable job she has ever had. You are going to love this Podcast.