Signet Society's Barriers Opened To Admit Women

Radcliffe women, traditionally denied the opportunity of discussing their literary and artistic insights in the company of the minds of the Signet Society, will now be able to philosophize about literature and the arts as Society members.

The Signet Society, Harvard's 101 year-old literary society, yesterday initiated its first eight women members, thus becoming the first Harvard club to break down the barriers of male chauvinism and admit women as members.

"Keeping women out of the Signet was about as sensible as an all-male Lamont," said Martin H. Kaplan '71, vice president of the Signet Society. "It's a pleasure to welcome Radcliffe women to the Society."

The eight women were elected provisionally two weeks ago with the stipulation that a majority of the Signet's approximately 30 members must sign a petition allowing women in the club before they could be initiated.

The Signet is a luncheon club where faculty and students meet to discuss the fine arts and humanities.