 History of Business and Professional WomenWhile mobilizing for World War I, the U.S. Government recognized the need for a cohesive group to coordinate identification of women's available skills and experience. A Women's War Council, financed through a federal grant, was established by the War Department to organize the resources of professional women. The National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs was founded on July 15, 1919. The organization later filed to "do business as" (dba) Business and Professional Women/USA (BPW/USA).
Throughout the years, three major issues shaped BPW/USA's legislative agenda: elimination of sex discrimination in employment, the principle of equal pay, and the need for a comprehensive equal rights amendment. 1920s "BPW Goodwill Tour" of Europe initiated the founding of the International BPW Federation. With the theme, "Better Business Women for a Better Business World," National Business Women's Week was established in 1928 to celebrate and dramatize the contribution of women to the country.
Women celebrate the passage of the
1930s BPW/USA worked to prohibit legislation or directives denying jobs to married women. BPW/USA lobbied successfully to legislatively end the legal practice of workplace preference for unmarried persons and, in the case of married persons, preference for males.
National Business Women's Week storefront display on the 1930s.
1940s At the advent of World War II, BPW/USA developed a classification system for women with specialized skills critical to the effort and supported the formation of women's branches of the Armed Forces. While wage discrimination has existed in the U.S. since women and minorities first entered the paid workforce, its prevalence was not felt until the massive influx of women sought work during World War II. Immediately following the war, the Women's Pay Act of 1945 - the first ever legislation to require equal pay - was introduced in the U.S. Congress. It would take another 18 years before an equal pay bill would make it to the President's desk to be signed into law.
Dr. Minne Maffett, 1939/44 BPW/USA President shares mess with the Station Complement WAC Detachment at Camp Crowder, Missouri.
1950s The national executive office relocated from New York to Washington, as BPW/USA became more active in legislative issues. Business and Professional Women's (BPW) Foundation was incorporated in 1956, creating a branch to provide research, information, career development programs and scholarships to disadvantaged women, as well as workshops and other training opportunities. The Marguerite Rawalt Resource Center opened, becoming a major library and resource on the history of women and women in the workplace.
Virginia Allan Young initiated the "Young Careerist" Program to develop the business and presentation skills of young women between 25-35 years of age. The first National Legislative Conference, held in 1963 in D.C., later developed into BPW/USA's current annual Policy & Action Conference, where members lobby Congress and the Administration on BPW/USA's legislative issues.
President John F. Kennedy signs the 1963 Equal Pay Act into law as 1962-63 BPW/USA president Dr. Minnie Miles watches. Dr. Miles received the first pen from the signing.
BPW/USA intensified efforts to eliminate discrimination based on sex and marital status in credit, capital, and insurance practices. A legislative strategy was developed to achieve the Congressional votes needed and the BPW Political Action Committee (BPW/PAC) was formed in 1979 to endorse federal candidates.
Women march in Washington supporting ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, which BPW first formally endorsed on July 17, 1937.
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