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New York City Irish Fraternal Organization Allows Women at Charity Dinner for First Time

The decision is the first time women have been allowed in the group's history.

An Irish fraternal organization in New York City will allow women to attend its annual charity dinner for first time in 235 years history, according to the New York Times. The Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick in the City of New York, which started to aid Irish immigrants to America, is now inviting “the wives, daughters, sisters, mothers, aunts, nieces and female cousins, friends and colleagues of our members” to its exclusive gathering at the New York Hilton, per the New York Times. The group’s president reportedly said in a recent letter that this decision reflects an expansion of the organization’s efforts “to assist all people, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, nationality or religion.” While women will be guests at the dinner, it's unclear whether the group will start allowing women to be members. The decision also comes as attendance to this dinner has dropped. The organization is not officially linked to the famed New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the newspaper notes.