NEW BEDFORD – It’s been a decades-long battle, but women will now be allowed to serve as festeiras (committee members) of the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament alongside their male counterparts, and ultimately become members of the Clube Madeirense S.S. Sacramento, Inc., the organization which sponsors the annual staple celebration in New Bedford.
On April 28, the club voted to amend its bylaws to include women, passing the measure with 116 votes to 21.
The historic vote was held six months after an unsuccessful attempt to change the bylaws took place on Oct. 29, when the vote was split 50-50. For the change to be approved, 75 percent of the club’s general assembly had to agree to the motion.
Read more at heraldnews.com.