Belle Meade Country Club considers female member

Friday, January 6, 2012, Vol. 36, No. 1

NASHVILLE (AP) - The exclusive Belle Meade Country Club is considering offering membership to a woman.

Timothy J. Douglas, president of the club's board of directors, confirmed the consideration in a newsletter to members, obtained by The Tennessean (http://tnne.ws/zkJ5U9).

Douglas wrote that the club does not make public comment about membership, but noted his desire is to increase gender and racial diversity in the 110-year-old social organization. The January newsletter lists Adelaide Davis Stevens as one of three people proposed for resident membership that includes a vote, office eligibility and the ability to recommend other potential members.

The club currently has no female or black members who can vote or hold office, the newspaper reported.

Country music star Tim McGraw is also being proposed for membership.

Calls for comment were not returned.