National Business
Women’s WeekŪ
A Business and Professional Women/USA Signature Event
October 20-24, 2008
Since 1928
Business and Professional Women/USA (BPW/USA) has sponsored
National Business Women’s WeekŪ. Each year during the third
week of October, BPW/USA's members across the country take the
opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the accomplishments of
workingwomen.
Get-Out-the-Vote for NBWW 2008! Registration Deadlines are
Approaching...
Policies of the leadership voted in this election will be critical to
working women and families. With life-changing decisions such as health
care, education, pay equity and financial security at stake, we must
educate women and get them (and their networks and families) to the
polls in November.
Women are key in this election. Educate your respresentatives on the
issues that are important to you!
Host voter registration drives, debate parties and, most
importantly, make sure you and your friends, neighbors and relatives
vote in November.
The objectives of National Business Women's WeekŪ (NBWW) are:
- To promote full
participation and equity for women in the workplace;
- To publicize the
achievements of business and professional women on the local, state
and national level;
- To publicize the
objectives and programs of BPW/USA as they relate to the millions of
business and professional women across the country.
Over the years, National Business Women's WeekŪ has
become an event widely recognized by public and private institutions and
local communities. In the past, the President of the United States, at
the request of BPW/USA, has declared the third full business week in
October as National Business Women's WeekŪ. On state
and local levels, governors and mayors issue similar proclamations.
Each state and community tailors events and activities to meet its
needs. Activities include WOMENomics Forums, Woman of the Year
Awards,
Women Joining Forces programming, Employer of the Year
Awards, displays and exhibits, dinners and educational programs.
The History
The idea for the National Business Women’s WeekŪ (NBWW)
originated with Emma Dot Partridge, Executive Secretary of the National
Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs from 1924 - 1927.
The first annual observance was held April 15-22, 1928, when Business
and Professional Women/USA President Lena Madesin Phillips opened NBWW
with a nationally broadcast speech. In her remarks, she stated that the
purpose of the week was "to focus public attention upon a better
business woman for a better business world."
BPW Local Organizations implemented daily programs designed to call
attention to the mission and achievements of BPW/USA. Reports about
activities for those early observances tell of many successful events
throughout the country including: Legislative Day devoted to
national, state and local legislation of interest to women;
Education Day emphasizing the need for equitable educational
opportunities; Club Rally Day for prospective new members;
Community Day honoring leaders in the community; and Goodwill
Day devoted to working with other women's organizations.
From this early effort, NBWW has grown into a
nationwide salute to all workingwomen, as well as an opportunity to
spotlight issues of importance to workingwomen. In more recent years
activities have included Women of the Year Awards, Employer of the Year
Awards, Individual Development workshops, and issue panel discussions.
NBWW was moved to the third full week of October in
1938 so that Local Organizations could use NBWW as a
springboard for their new year's programs. U.S. President Herbert Hoover
was the first president to issue a letter recognizing NBWW
and the contributions and achievements of workingwomen. Presidents since
then have always issued a letter acknowledging the important role women
play in the nation’s economy.
