The Rotary Club of Letchworth Garden City has welcomed its first ever female member in its 94 year history.

Retired teacher Yvonne Sonnen became the first woman to join the group last week, 29 years on from when Rotary International abandoned its ‘men only’ rule. Since then has welcomed more than 250,000 female members worldwide.

Yvonne has said that she is delighted to now be leading the way for women at the Letchworth club.

She said: “I feel very honoured to have been accepted as the club’s latest recruit. I have always admired the community ethos of Rotary and particularly the links it has to education and helping young people in the area wherever it can. “There’s a role for both men and women in the organisation. I don’t expect I’ll be the club’s only female member for very long. I know a number of women keen to join.”

For more information about the club, go to lgcrotary.org.uk.