Caisey has become the first female commodore at St. George's Dinghy and Sports Club.

Caisey just completed a two-year term as vice commodore, and on Saturday she made the historic step up to the top post, replacing Brian Hillier, whose two-year term ended.

The club's constitution does not allow for the commodore to serve a second term, so Caisey knows she has just two years to prove she is worthy of the position that has always been held by men. Nevertheless, she is looking forward to her term at the helm of the club which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year.

"I tell everybody I'm married to the dinghy club because I spend most of my time down here,'' said Caisey while relaxing at the club earlier this week.

Ironically, when she spoke of the contributions made by women members of the club she was sitting in a lounge which was reserved for women, to keep them out of the bar area.

The old boys' network was in operation but these days women are making their mark in every aspect of society, including politics, where the Island now has its first female Premier.

"A lot of women have done a lot for this club,'' said Caisey, a member herself for the past seven years. She estimates women make up about a quarter of the club's 300-odd members, including overseas members.

Soon after becoming a member Caisey served on the management committee as bar chairman and then ran successfully for the vice commodore position.

"See that window right there, that was where the women had to be served,'' Caisey explained, pointing to a small window behind the bar.

"There is a line out there at the bar that children can't come across, but women's also couldn't cross that line. When they were at the old club on Ordnance Island women were not allowed in at all in the bar. They had to ring a bell to get served.'' Caisey says St. George's has made tremendous strides since the early beginnings of the club, which has been at its present location since 1974.

"Quite frankly I believe I have all the men behind me 100 per cent,'' said Caisey. "Since Saturday night I've gotten comments from people that they are here to help me in any way they can.'' One of those is a former commodore, Michael Oatley, who is now the club treasurer. "I think we have the best person for the job, who happens to be a woman,'' said Oatley.

"She is someone who cares about the club, puts in a lot of time and will continue to do so.

"We have had some good times working together. It's been successful and I have no doubt it will continue to be so.'' As well as Caisey and Oatley on the executive committee, there is Danny Hollis as vice commodore, Marilyn Lewis as secretary, and Brian Hillier as rear commodore.

"I'm just going to do my best,'' Caisey promised. "With the strong committee we have I think will be will successful in the two years I'll hold the position.

"There have been a few comments that I'm not a sailor but there have been past commodores who haven't been sailors and they still got the job done.'' Sailing is the major sport at the club, with Victory representing them in fitted dinghy racing, but there are also activities such as golf, darts and snooker.

Caisey, who works as a deposits officer at Bermuda Home, also serves as a Director of the Bermuda Housing Corporation but has given up other responsibilities to concentrate on her post at the club. She was chairman of the St. George's Activities Committee and was secretary of the St. George's Historical Society for one year.