Elks Lodges Vote To Allow Women

Membership in the Elks is no longer for bulls only.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks changed the wording of its constitution on Friday to remove “male” from the list of qualifications for membership.

The move came as the group tallied votes on the issue from lodges across the country.

The change is effective immediately, meaning women can apply for membership at the organization’s 2,230 lodges around the country.

The organization has spent more than a million dollars in recent years fighting lawsuits filed by women who wanted to join.