Will He Renounce His Own Membership in “Male-Only” Sharon Golf Club?
COLUMBUS, OHIO – As national debate continues around Augusta National Golf Club’s policy prohibiting women from joining the all-male club, Ohio Democrats invite Rep. Jim Renacci to join the 21st century and renounce his personal support for this type of sexism best left in the past.
In 2011, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported Rep. Jim Renacci’s membership in the all-male Sharon Golf Club in Medina county. Rather than apologize for his support of gender discrimination, Renacci had the gall to further insult women by belittling the issue of his membership. As the US Masters tournament comes to a close, Ohio voters are reminded of Renacci’s sexism by the ongoing national debate surrounding the all-male Augusta National.
Traditionally, the CEOs of the sponsoring companies of the US Masters have received honorary memberships and green jackets from the Augusta National Golf Course, the golf tournament’s historic long-time host. This year, Virginia Rometty, the CEO of sponsor I.B.M. and a woman, has not yet received a jacket or membership from Augusta National Golf Course.
As controversy continues over Augusta National Golf Course’s practice of prohibiting women members, will Jim Renacci take the opportunity to renounce his own support of male-only clubs?
“Long gone are the days of when it was acceptable for our elected officials to support the old-boys clubs of the past and exclude women from anything,” Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern said. “In addition to Jim Renacci’s support for the Republican Party’s ongoing war against women, he should be ashamed of himself for furthering the notion that this type of sexism has any place in the 21st century. Frankly, it’s offensive that Renacci has not yet apologized for his sexist behavior, and I hope he’ll take advantage of the debate around Augusta to say he’s sorry and end his membership in a male-only golf club.”
BACKGROUND
Rep. Renacci has a membership in the “male-only” Sharon Golf Club. The Wadsworth Republican is a member of the all-male Sharon Golf Club in Medina County. When Renacci’s membership in the all-male club was exposed, he failed to apologize for supporting sex discrimination or renounce his ties to the club. [Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 11, 2011]
Breaking with tradition, I.B.M. CEO Virginia Rometty did not receive a membership to Augusta. The sponsors of the US Masters Golf Tournament traditionally receive a green jacket and membership to Augusta National Golf Club, but IBM CEO Virginia Rometty was excluded this year. [New York Times, April 8, 2012]
President Obama Supports admitting women members to the all-male Augusta National. [Washington Post, April 4, 2012]
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