February 27th is Business and Professional Women’s Foundation Day

February 27^th is Business and Professional Women’s Foundation Day
50 Years of Empowering Workingwomen and Their Families

Washington, DC, February 27, 2006— Today is Business and Professional Women’s Foundation Day as proclaimed by Mayor Anthony Williams, commemorating 50 years of incorporation in the District of Columbia. In 1956 the Business and Professional Women’s (BPW) Foundation became the first foundation to conduct research and provide information solely about workingwomen.

“The uniqueness of the BPW Foundation is quite clear,” said Sheila Barry-Oliver, Ed.D. chair of the Board of Trustees for the BPW Foundation. “It was the first foundation dedicated to workingwomen- and this was 50 years ago!”

Since its incorporation, the BPW Foundation has expanded its vision to support employers seeking to create successful workplaces that empower workingwomen and their families. In 2004, the BPW Foundation began an employer initiative which led to the adoption of an expanded mission: to empower workingwomen to achieve their full potential AND to partner with employers to build successful workplaces.

“This commemoration is very befitting of the groundbreaking and innovative history of the BPW Foundation,” said Deborah Frett, CEO of the BPW Foundation. “We have year-long festivities that will also recognize our dynamic future as a cutting-edge research and educational institution.”

BPW Foundation Day is the kick-off of a year-long, 50th anniversary celebration, Exploring Our Past, Discovering Our Future. The celebration will highlight the history of the BPW Foundation and its many milestones in the areas of research, education, knowledge and policy. Additional press materials are available online at www.bpwfoundation.org and by request.

Anniversary activities include a BPW Foundation History Project, the expansion of Rawalt Online Resource Center, an online clearinghouse of information on workingwomen, publication of white papers, resources and research on issues critical to workingwomen, fundraising promotions and a BPW Foundation 50th Anniversary Gala.

Currently, workingwomen constitute 68 million of the nation's work force and strive to serve their communities, their states and their nation in professional, civic and cultural capacities. The BPW Foundation has made its mark over the past 50 years, making a tangible difference in the lives of American workingwomen and their families.

Established in 1956, the BPW Foundation is a nonprofit research and educational institution governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees. As a national convener, the foundation has influenced, informed, and educated Presidents, members of Congress, state officials, policymakers, women of influence -- making research and educational resources available that accurately portray the challenges and important role of workingwomen.

For more information, visit www.bpwfoundation.org

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