Thirty-four years ago Linda Allen became a Rotarian, but her family's relationship with Rotary began with her daughter Karen in 1978. "Our daughter Karen heard an announcement about Rotary at school and wanted to be an exchange student. She spent her senior year, 1978-1979 in Brazil." Shortly after, in 1979, Linda's husband Ray joined Rotary. He soon joined the District 7150 Youth Exchange Committee, which he chaired for several years in a district that exchanged 25 to 30 plus students each year in the days before computers and email. "We have hosted upwards of 15 students in our home," Linda adds, "several of whom remain part of our family today." In 1983, their daughter Katy did a summer exchange in Scotland. And in 1987, Ray helped establish a scholarship for his New York district outbound students, a program that Linda continues to facilitate today. Ray continued to be an active Rotarian and a member of the district youth exchange committee until his death eight years ago. Linda's acceptance into Rotary in 1988 is historical. In 1987 the Supreme Court found that Rotary International did not have a First Amendment right to exclude women. The decision affirmed the judgment of the Court of Appeals of California, respecting a state statute requiring that business establishments admit women members. In 2000, Linda and Ray built their home in Sedona, beginning their visits to the Rotary Club of Sedona, where Linda first heard about the Imagination Library, now her passion. She is pleased to be a member of the club today. "For 45 years Rotary has been and continues to be a treasured part of our family’s life," she says. And Rotary Club of Sedona is proud to have one of the first female members of Rotary in its club! (Pictured in front row: Linda and Ray Allen. 2nd row: Nenetzin Allen-Caballero, Katy Allen-Caballero, Carlos Caballero, Karen Allen, Alexandria Allen (who also participated in RYLA, and Xaelel Allen-Caballero). |