Manuscript finding aid to the Business and Professional Women's Club, Lynchburg, Virginia collection

JONES MEMORIAL LIBRARY
2311 MEMORIAL AVENUE
LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA 24501
(434) 846-0501
BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S CLUB, LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA
The collection includes one folder of records, 1922-1932, of the Business and
Professional Women’s club located in Lynchburg, Virginia, and includes correspondence
and newsletters. Also included is the program for the fifth annual convention of the
Virginia Federation of Business and Professional Women’s clubs, held in Lynchburg in
May, 1924.
LYNCHBURG BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S CLUB
While mobilizing for World War I, the U.S. Government recognized the need for
a cohesive group to coordinate identification of women's available skills and experience.
A Women's War Council, financed through a federal grant, was established by the War
Department to organize the resources of professional women. The National Federation of
Business and Professional Women's Clubs (BPW) was founded on July 15, 1919.
An organizational meeting that led to the formation of the Virginia Federation of
Business and Professional Women’s Clubs was held in Richmond, Virginia, in June
1919, from which four charter clubs – Danville, Lynchburg, Richmond, and Roanoke –
were formed.
“Each club affiliated with the Virginia Federation is a self-governing, nonpartisan, non-sectarian group of business and professional women banded together to set
and maintain a higher standard for women in the business and professional world.
“Through the Education Committee the Club endeavors to impress upon the
school girl the necessity for, at least, a High School Education before entering a business
school.
“The Scholarship and Loan fund of the Club provides the means for ambitious
girls to secure the necessary preparation for a successful business or professional career.”
Throughout the years, three major issues shaped BPW's legislative agenda:
elimination of sex discrimination in employment, the principle of equal pay, and the need
for a comprehensive equal rights amendment.
[Business and Professional Women’s Club, Lynchburg, Va., MS1025, Jones Memorial Library, Lynchburg,
Va.]

MS1025