PEORIA MAGAZINE December 2022

ROLES BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS AND LEADING THE CCP FORWARD FOR W OMEN EVOLVING

The founders of the Country Club of Peoria (CCP) might think their eyes are deceiving them when they read that a woman is serving as the organization’s treasurer. But then, there are many aspects of life at CCP that would not be recognized by the founders from 1897. The role of women is a change that Board or Directors member and Treasurer Becki Salmon is pleased to lead. Now in her second term on the Board, she assumed the Treasurer position in October 2022. “(The Board) has made a concerted effort in recent years to become more diverse, and I am a part of that,” she said. “My goal as treasurer is to continue to move the club forward in a fiscally responsible manner, being open and transparent with members.” Salmon’s elevation to the Executive Committee is in sharp contrast with the past, when, according to a long-time member (who wishes to remain anonymous), “If you had a complaint, as a woman or a spouse, you had to have your husband voice the complaint for you.” However, that same member was a trailblazer in her own right. Back in 1970, she became the first and one of only a few women admitted to membership on her own, without a spouse. It was “just sort of the natural thing to do.” Until fairly recently, men were the primary members, and their spouse was a secondary member. Under those rules, only primary members could be on the Board. This was a “real barrier” to many talented and capable women serving, Salmon said. So the rules were changed, allowing either member to serve and opening the door to the first woman president three years ago. “I’m a firm believer in diversity of all kinds in any kind of leadership,” Salmon said. “More perspectives give the organization a different voice. The more voices you have, the more balanced the leadership approach.” She said the modern CCP continues to leave outdated practices behind and take steps toward diversity and inclusion. What does the future hold? “I see a great future for places like the Country Club as long as they continue on this path of being diverse and open to all kinds of people,” Salmon concludes.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CCP MEMBERSHIP at the Country Club of Peoria at ccofpeoria.org or call 309.686.2582

DECEMBER 2022 PEORIA MAGAZINE 83