CAMBRIDGE, MA (WBZ-AM) The curtains close on a two century old tradition. Women will now be able to perform with Harvard University’s Hasty Pudding Club.
the nation’s oldest collegiate theatrical organization announced Thursday it will now allow women to join its cast, starting in 2019.
The group’s student president made the announcement at the start of a comedic roast celebrating actress Mila Kunis, who was named the organization’s woman of the year.
They've announced "the world is a very different place", and they're taking "the organization forward as a leader in women's rights and gender equality.
Kunis congratulated Harvard women for pushing for the change.
Speaking with reporters afterward, Kunis noted that women are active in key behind-the-scenes roles at hasty pudding, including writing the shows, working on the technical crew and serving on the executive board.
She says she refused calls to boycott the award -- so she could have her voice heard:
“I’m here, I wouldn’t have been otherwise,” Kunis said. “Backing down, is not taking a sand, “she said.
Kunis says most of Hasty Pudding is women - they just haven't been on stage. Now they will be.
“They have been fighting for this and they have been wanting this and they are the reason that this happened,” she said.
The 223-year-old group is known for comedic revues that feature men in drag playing female characters.
WBZ NewsRadio1030’s Doug Cope reports.