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June 23, 1988

ROTARY ADMITS WOMAN

HAMPTON — The men of the Newton Rotary Club welcomed Wednesday their first woman member.

Laura J. Camp of Lafayette was inducted into the club at The Newtonian Inn restaurant, breaking the gender barrier in the previously all-male organization.

The club's Board of Directors voted unanimously to let her join two weeks ago, said club member Wayne McCabe, who is expected to become club president on July 1.

Camp, 46, is a real estate agent and the owner of the Laura Camp Agency in Lafayette.

"I feel quite humble about it, quite frankly," she said of her induction. "I have a lot to learn."

Camp, who is married with five children, said she was not intimidated by being the only woman in the club.

"There isn't anything to be intimidated about. This is a great opportunity," said Camp.

The club is a service organization of professionals in the Newton area which is involved in numerous civic efforts, including fund-raisers for non-profit groups.

Club Past President Dick Buist said he expects Camp to be the first of many women to join the club.

"There are many professional women and businesswomen who make their mark in the county, and I'm sure they all are going to be eligible one way or another," said Buist.

A U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year prohibited Rotary clubs from excluding women, paving the way for Camp to join.