Chartered in 1919, BPW/NJ is a statewide organization presiding over multi-regional local organizations.
The ultimate goal for BPW/NJ is equality for all women in areas of pay, opportunity, growth,
health and well-being.
Our Mission is to provide a supportive environment for women working towards personal and professional
fulfillment, by advocating women's economic, educational and health issues.
Our Vision is to be the leading advocate for New Jersey women.
Membership is open to all individuals who support the vision and mission of BPW/NJ.
The ultimate goal for BPW/NJ is equality for all women in areas of pay, opportunity, growth,
health and well-being.
Our Mission is to provide a supportive environment for women working towards personal and professional
fulfillment, by advocating women's economic, educational and health issues.
Our Vision is to be the leading advocate for New Jersey women.
Membership is open to all individuals who support the vision and mission of BPW/NJ.
History of National Federation of Business and Professional Women
“The First World War had come to an end, and in April 1919 a group of business and professional women (many of whom had been recruited during the last days of the war by the Secretary of War, Newton D. Baker) met to discuss forming a Federation of Business and Professional Women,” so states Facts and Faces (1919-1959).
Sparked by Dr. Lena Madesin Phillips (considered the founder), Mrs. Jean Norris, Mrs. Marion T. Brockway, Mrs. Jane Johnston Martin (all of New York City), and Miss Adeline Zachert (Rochester, NY) met at The Hotel Pennsylvania to draw up permanent plans for a National Federation. There were in existence many organizations of business and professional women which had grown “like Topsy,” but none were unified under any banner or particular cause. These women of vision realized that ‘in union there is strength.”
Clubs from five cities formed the nucleus for the first meeting. Thirteen organizations representing many widely divergent tastes and talents were represented, including Filing Association, Nurses’ Club, League of Advertising Women, Association of Personnel Workers, etc., and all were willing to coordinate their specialized interests for the greater good.
The National Federation had its first Convention in July 1919 in St. Louis, Missouri, with Dr. Lean Madesin Phillips presiding. Gail Laughlin,
an attorney from California, was elected the first president; Miss Phillips was the first Executive Secretary of the federation and served as its fifth president (1926-1929).
The new federation went to work immediately. First, they sponsored the first national survey of business and professional women and their status, opportunities, and qualifications. They established scholarship funds in vocational schools, became the first women’s organization to present a legislative tax bill to Congress, and began publishing the magazine Independent Woman.
BPW/USA was a national organization. This was followed by each state forming a branch under them and with locals forming under them. In the years that followed, BPW’s tradition of achievement grew. BPW was influential in passing child labor laws. In 1928 BPW established the first “National Business Women’s Week.” During the Depression, BPW assisted government relief agencies and helped to create employment opportunities. In 1937, BPW became the first women’s organization to endorse the Equal Rights Amendment. During World War II, BPW supported the establishment of the women’s branches of the service. In the post-war era, BPW moved its offices to 2012 Massachusetts Avenue in Washington, DC, and in 1956 established the National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Foundation. The Foundation took charge of putting the goals of BPW into action and came to represent the ideal of “Women Helping Women.” During the post-war period and into the 1960s, BPW led the fight for the Equal Pay Act; and the 1970s saw BPW leading the fight for Title IX, equity in education and credit, prohibition of sexual harassment, as well as the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). In the 1980s and 1990s, BPW was standing strong, defending the hard-won victories of the past and pursuing the economic “bread” and “butter” issues so important to women struggling to balance the demand of work and family.
In 2009, BPW/USA merged with BPW Foundation. While there is no longer a membership organization at the national level, many state organizations continue.
Today BPW Foundation continues to work to better the lives of working women – in their towns, states, and nationally – through action on issues such as economic empowerment, women’s health, family and medical leave rights, pay equity, dependent care, social security and insurance reform.
As of February 27, 2016 Business and Professional Women New Jersey has dissolved.
Sparked by Dr. Lena Madesin Phillips (considered the founder), Mrs. Jean Norris, Mrs. Marion T. Brockway, Mrs. Jane Johnston Martin (all of New York City), and Miss Adeline Zachert (Rochester, NY) met at The Hotel Pennsylvania to draw up permanent plans for a National Federation. There were in existence many organizations of business and professional women which had grown “like Topsy,” but none were unified under any banner or particular cause. These women of vision realized that ‘in union there is strength.”
Clubs from five cities formed the nucleus for the first meeting. Thirteen organizations representing many widely divergent tastes and talents were represented, including Filing Association, Nurses’ Club, League of Advertising Women, Association of Personnel Workers, etc., and all were willing to coordinate their specialized interests for the greater good.
The National Federation had its first Convention in July 1919 in St. Louis, Missouri, with Dr. Lean Madesin Phillips presiding. Gail Laughlin,
an attorney from California, was elected the first president; Miss Phillips was the first Executive Secretary of the federation and served as its fifth president (1926-1929).
The new federation went to work immediately. First, they sponsored the first national survey of business and professional women and their status, opportunities, and qualifications. They established scholarship funds in vocational schools, became the first women’s organization to present a legislative tax bill to Congress, and began publishing the magazine Independent Woman.
BPW/USA was a national organization. This was followed by each state forming a branch under them and with locals forming under them. In the years that followed, BPW’s tradition of achievement grew. BPW was influential in passing child labor laws. In 1928 BPW established the first “National Business Women’s Week.” During the Depression, BPW assisted government relief agencies and helped to create employment opportunities. In 1937, BPW became the first women’s organization to endorse the Equal Rights Amendment. During World War II, BPW supported the establishment of the women’s branches of the service. In the post-war era, BPW moved its offices to 2012 Massachusetts Avenue in Washington, DC, and in 1956 established the National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Foundation. The Foundation took charge of putting the goals of BPW into action and came to represent the ideal of “Women Helping Women.” During the post-war period and into the 1960s, BPW led the fight for the Equal Pay Act; and the 1970s saw BPW leading the fight for Title IX, equity in education and credit, prohibition of sexual harassment, as well as the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). In the 1980s and 1990s, BPW was standing strong, defending the hard-won victories of the past and pursuing the economic “bread” and “butter” issues so important to women struggling to balance the demand of work and family.
In 2009, BPW/USA merged with BPW Foundation. While there is no longer a membership organization at the national level, many state organizations continue.
Today BPW Foundation continues to work to better the lives of working women – in their towns, states, and nationally – through action on issues such as economic empowerment, women’s health, family and medical leave rights, pay equity, dependent care, social security and insurance reform.
As of February 27, 2016 Business and Professional Women New Jersey has dissolved.
Did you know...
How Women's Equality Day Originated:
The women's suffrage movement traveled a long journey since August 26, 1920. On that fateful day, the women's suffrage amendment received approval from the House of Representatives, and the Senate. Women's equality was no longer a myth, but a working reality. This amendment strengthened the women's rights movement, and recognized rights of women as equal citizens of America. In 1971, Bella Abzug lobbied to declare August 26th as Women's Equality Day. Every year on August 26, the President issues a proclamation commemorating the efforts of the suffragists.
Women had to fight a long battle for equality and freedom. They endured hardships when they had to tear down rigid ideas of a male-dominated society. Spirited activists like Bella Abzug, Susan B. Anthony, Jane Addams, Carrie Chapman Catt, among many others, paved the path to freedom. Today, America can boast about its empowered women, which is the culmination of the work done by the suffragists.
The women's suffrage movement traveled a long journey since August 26, 1920. On that fateful day, the women's suffrage amendment received approval from the House of Representatives, and the Senate. Women's equality was no longer a myth, but a working reality. This amendment strengthened the women's rights movement, and recognized rights of women as equal citizens of America. In 1971, Bella Abzug lobbied to declare August 26th as Women's Equality Day. Every year on August 26, the President issues a proclamation commemorating the efforts of the suffragists.
Women had to fight a long battle for equality and freedom. They endured hardships when they had to tear down rigid ideas of a male-dominated society. Spirited activists like Bella Abzug, Susan B. Anthony, Jane Addams, Carrie Chapman Catt, among many others, paved the path to freedom. Today, America can boast about its empowered women, which is the culmination of the work done by the suffragists.