BPW is the oldest and largest organization of working women in this
country with representative membership from the entire spectrum of
occupations.The common thread that unites all our members is a
concern that women here and throughout the world be treated equitably
in all areas of their lives.
served as a consultant at San Francisco when the United Nations Charter was drawn in 1945. It
continues to support the work of the United Nations, particularly
in those areas that impact women.
supported national equal pay measures for 14 years before
their enactment into law in 1964.
was active in supporting jury service for women and equal pay
legislation in many states.
supported legislation that made women's branches part of the
armed forces and helped secure equal status for women in the
medical services of the armed forces.
established the judge Sarah T. Hughes World Friendship Fund to
help women from other countries study in the United States for
professional advancement.
has endorsed and actively supported qualified candidates for
elective and appointive policy-making posts at the local, state,
and national levels.
endorsed and supported the Child Labor Amendment.
helped found the International Federation of Business and
Professional Women, now, represented in over 60 countries.
has sponsored Conferences of Business and Professional Women
of the Americas to promote friendship, cooperation, and
understanding among women of the Americas and determine ways women
can contribute to the social, cultural, and economic progress of
the western hemisphere.
with the encouragement of past President John F. Kennedy
initiated the establishment of the State Commission on the Status
of Women which led to the creation of commissions in all states.
worked for the passage of Equal Pay Act of 1964 which required
equal pay for equal work.
lobbied for enactment of Title IX of the Education Amendments
of 1972 which prohibits sex discrimination in any educational
program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.
effectively supported the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974
which prohibits sex discrimination on the basis of sex or marital
status in any credit transaction.
lobbied for equal representation in political organizations.
lobbied for child care services.
lobbied for tax reforms equalizing treatment of men and women.
lobbied for improving laws and services regarding sexual
assault.
The Collect is recited at the opening of every meeting. The
Collect was written by Mary Stewart in Longmont, Colorado in 1904.
Miss Stewart until 1910 signed the Collect with her pen name, "Mary
Stuart".
Click the icon to hear a 600k .WAV file of the Collect.
At the first birthday of the Federation, during the St. Paul
Convention in 1920, national president Gail Laughlin appointed a
committee to select a design for the Federation Emblem. In 1921
President Lena Lake Forrest and committee selected the emblem that we
continue to use today. It was designed by a sculptor name Nygaard.
The emblem is in the form of a golden circle. The symbols of
Nike, Scroll, Torch and Wand, and Ship of Commerce are imposed above
the initials of NFBPWC. The Nike design symbolizes progress,
strength, freedom, and triumph facing squarely the winds and waves of
prejudice and all other limitations. The Torch is a symbol of light,
wisdom, principle, leadership. The Wand is the winged staff of
Mercury, herald of a new day for women, and a symbol of opportunity,
equality, cooperation, healing, harmony, and power. The Ship of
Commerce typifies the entrance of women into business and the
expansion of opportunities until there now remains no door closed to
the prepared woman. The Scroll of Achievement began in 1919 and is
still unrolling. Here may continue to record our accomplishments and
successes.
![[BPW Past Image]](../imgs/pasthead.gif)
