HISTORY

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• Organized in 1919, the Pennsylvania Federation (BPW/PA) is one of the Charter Members of the National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. (BPW/USA).
• Our organization was one of the first women’s organizations to formally endorse the Equal Rights Amendment in 1937, and we have led the drive for ratification ever since.
• Since its inception, the Pennsylvania Federation has initiated programs such as: Luncheon Honoring Women in Government, National Business Women’s Week Projects, Workshops for Women, Youth Conferences, Leadership Training and Mentoring.
• BPW/PA has endorsed many financial projects including: purchase of cancer research equipment, victims flood relief, scholarships, interest free loans to members and Math Counts.

BPW Organizational Structure

Local Organization - consists of business and professional women who are interested in the objectives of BPW. Local Organizations meet monthly throughout the year.

District - comprised of Local Organizations, according to geographical location. There are 12 districts in PA; each headed by a District Director. Districts hold meetings twice a year.

State Federation - comprised of all Local Organizations in the 12 districts.  The State Federation holds an annual convention in June.

National Federation - comprised of all State Federations. BPW/USA's office address is 2012 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20036.

Standing Committees - Bylaws, Finance, Foundation, Individual Development, Issues Management, Legislation, Membership, Public Relations and Young Careerist.

BPW/PA Special Committees  - Education and Service Funds, Historian, The KEY (official state publication) Editor, Nominations, PAC and Scrapbook.

BPW/USA Foundation - established on February 27, 1956, this is the only research and educational organization in the nation devoted exclusively to working women. The Foundation’s objective is to offer research and education through publications, scholarships, loan funds, internships, management seminars and historical collections relative to business and professional women.

District Structure

District One - Cameron, Clarion, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, McKean, Mercer, Venango and Warren counties

District Two - Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Indiana, Jefferson and Lawrence counties

District Three - Allegheny and Westmoreland counties

District Four - Centre, Clearfield, Juniata and Mifflin counties

District Five - Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset counties

District Six - Clinton, Lycoming, Montour, North Umberland, Potter, Snyder, Tioga and Union counties

District Seven - Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Perry and York counties

District Eight - Bradford, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Wayne  and Wyoming counties

District Nine - Berks, Carbon, Lebanon, Lehigh, Northampton  and Schuylkill counties

District Ten - Chester and Delaware counties

District Eleven - Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties

District Twelve - Fayette, Greene and Washington counties

Exceptions: Clarion County, Clarion County BPW - District 2; Mercer County, Grove City-District 2; Elk County, Ridgeway-District 4; Bradford County, Troy-District 6

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