Eddie,
Have they SEEN your quilts? If so, they are just jealous. If not, they don't know what they are missing.
You could continue to lobby for change (only you can decide if you think it would be worthwhile). If you get the rule changed, it sounds like it will still take a lot of work to adjust their attitude. You might be better off using your time and energy to quilt!
Perhaps you and the quilters (any gender) who are embarrassed by the "old guard"'s behavior, need to start a new local guild - with fewer (bad) rules and lots more fun.
If you ever make it to Wisconsin, we meet on the 2nd Wednesday of the month, and you are VERY welcome.
Good luck. Grace