The Garrick Club of London, founded in 1831 exclusively for men, has voted in favor of admitting women for the first time in its 193 years of existence. The decision, made on Tuesday with 59.98% of the vote, comes after years of growing criticism of elitism and sexism.

According to reports from ‘The Guardian’, the vote was preceded by speeches in favor of the inclusion of women, given by prominent figures such as the actor Stephen Fry and journalist James Naughtie. Although some members expressed support for the move, stating that “it should be a club of interesting conversations and fun,” others were reticent, reflecting the controversy surrounding this historic decision.

The revelation of the list of members, predominantly white and over 50 years old, has intensified scrutiny of the institution. However, the change is not due so much to a change of opinion among the partners, but to a legal technicality that confirmed the viability of admit women into the club’s statutes.

The Garrick Club, located in a privileged area of ​​London, has select facilities that until now they were only available to its 1,500 male membersamong whom are personalities such as King Charles III, internationally renowned politicians, actors and artists.

Despite the historic measure, not all women are willing to join the club. Some, like the GB News presenter, Bev Turner, have expressed indifference towards membership in a club they perceive as elitist and exclusionary“We really don’t mind being part of your stuffy boys’ club,” he said on the show.

The decision marks a milestone in the evolution of the Garrick Club, which now faces the challenge of integrating women into an environment traditionally dominated by men. With a list of seven possible candidatesthe club embarks on a complicated process that will require the support of numerous signatures and a rigorous protocol for its admission.

They are historian Mary Beard; former Conservative home secretary Amber Rudd; Channel 4 news anchor Cathy Newman; Labor in the House of Lords Ayesha Hazarika; actress Juliet Stevenson; Margaret Casely-Hayford, chair of the board of Shakespeare’s Globe theatre; and Elizabeth Gloster, a former appeals court judge.