Dame Judi Dench Is About to Break the Glass Ceiling by Becoming the First Woman in This Boys Club

Dame Judi Dench is already an icon, a legend, and as beloved as can be. And now, she’s about to make history again as the first female to enter this well-known boys club.

Let us explain! Dench is about to be the first woman to join an exclusive private members’ club, The Garrick Club. The club is 193 years old, and named after actor and playwright David Garrick. It has 1,500 members, including well-known stars, politicians, and public figures like King Charles III, Brian Cox, Benedict Cumberbatch, DailyMail editor-in-chief Paul Dacre, and more.

Now, after nearly two centuries, the club is open to women, and Dench will be the first woman to enter.

For decades, many members have found the men-only rule outdated, and so earlier this week, per the Telegraph, around 60 percent of the members voted in favor of allowing women to join the boys’ club.

Dench reportedly went to the club as her late husband, Michael Williams’ plus one.

Stars like Stephen Fry and Nigel Havers reportedly spoke in favor of her joining first, and per the Guardian, Cox was a big advocate for letting women into the club.

It’s unclear when this will happen, but we do know the Shakespeare in Love alum will be the first (with former UK Home Secretary Amber Rudd and Channel 4 News Presenter Cathy Newman being options as well for the first invite, per the Sun).

But we know this is such an iconic win.

Before you go, click here to see all the celebrity women who have spoken out about ageism.