On Wednesday, June 5, 2024, the Independent Women’s Network (IWN) Dallas Chapter hosted a highly successful briefing and casual dinner centered around the pivotal court case Westenbroek et al. v. Kappa Kappa Gamma. The event provided IWN members with firsthand insights into the fight for women’s rights to safe spaces. Carol Nichols, the IWN Dallas Chapter Co-Chair, who had recently attended oral arguments in Denver, Colorado, hosted the event and delivered the briefing.
The Westenbroek et al. v. Kappa Kappa Gamma lawsuit aims to hold the Kappa Kappa Gamma (KKG) sorority accountable to its own bylaws, which explicitly state that “a new member shall be a woman.” May Mailman, the lead counsel for the plaintiffs and director of Independent Women’s Law Center, focused her arguments on Kappa Kappa Gamma’s breach of fiduciary duty to the sorority. The case arose when the University of Wyoming chapter of KKG was coerced by Kappa headquarters to admit a male member in violation of their own bylaws and the longstanding promise to female members since the sorority’s establishment in 1870. In an effort to preserve the sisterhood experience, several courageous Kappa sisters filed the lawsuit after facing disciplinary threats for voicing their concerns. IWN, the grassroots activist arm of Independent Women, has played a crucial role in garnering local support for the case, including the Dallas Chapter.
“The women who showed up for the IWN Dallas meeting were impassioned and united over the conviction to preserve women’s spaces,” said McKenzie Holmes, communications specialist for Independent Women. “I am grateful for Carol Nichols, who opened her beautiful home to us. She is intentional about seeing each woman and making sure everyone has a chance to speak. Carol did an excellent job debriefing the oral arguments for the landmark Westenbroek v. Kappa Kappa Gamma court case and explaining to the group the significance of the plaintiffs’ fight for sisterhood.”
Carol Nichols, IWN Dallas Chapter Co-Chair, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “We are excited to have an IWN Chapter in Dallas as IWN amplifies women’s voices on important issues. We are getting louder!” Nichols further emphasized the unity among supporters, saying, “Women from across the country—liberal and conservative, dads standing strong with their daughters—all united in their support for female-only spaces.”
The IWN Dallas Chapter’s briefing on this critical case exemplifies the commitment of Independent Women’s Network to champion women’s rights and preserve safe spaces for women across the nation.
