Now, more than two years later council members say gender relations have definitively improved.

Male Dominance

The leadership of the council has historically been dominated by men.

In its 14 years of existence, the council has never had a female president, and most positions on the executive board have been filled by men, according to council vice president Brian R. Blais '97.

This year, out of the 14 officers on the executive board, only one, Rawlins, is a woman.

According to statistics provided by council President Robert M. Hyman '98, 34 women and 47 men are now members of the council, as compared to 26 women and 54 men last March. The proportion of female representatives has been growing steadily since 1990-91.

End of an Era

But with female representation on the rise, the era of male dominance looks to be at an end.

Indeed, some representatives say they believe the council has become increasingly receptive to women's needs.

"The dynamic in the council has been towards gradual improvement," Rawlins says.

Justin C. Label '97 agrees. "Things are generally better than a few years ago. There is in general now a higher sensitivity to gender issues," he says.

Despite the lack of women historically on the executive board, women do hold less visible leadership roles in the council, former council member Alicia Moretti '96 wrote in an e-mail message.

Seven of the nine delegates the council sends to the Committee on Student Life, the Committee on House Life and the Committee on Undergraduate Education are women.

According to Hyman, these female delegates demonstrate increased female activism on the council this year.

"This council should be commended for major inroads. In many important ways, there are many strong women," Hyman says.