History of BPW in Kentucky
The Kentucky Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs was formed in 1921 and has since worked to increase the public’s recognition of the important role women play in the workforce. Our historical records document changing employment patterns for women. They also illustrate and reflect the evolution and spread of the women’s movement in Kentucky.
In 1921 Louisville’s Nora Kirch felt that the time was right to establish a statewide organization of business and professional women. She issued a call around the state and seven women met at the Seelbach Hotel in Louisville on March 5 to discuss the need to form a state federation. At the time, there were only five clubs, two in Louisville, two in Lexington, and one in Paducah. If women’s voices were to be heard, it would be necessary to expand by forming more clubs, the early leaders believed.
Besides Kirch, these founding mothers included the presidents of the five clubs and Lena Madesin Phillips of New York City. In an exhaustive speech, Phillips, Kentucky native, urged those present to organize immediately. The group appointed officers and decided to hold the firs state meeting in Louisville in May 1922.
Growth was steady. Those early clubs were Henderson (1922), Murray (1923), Covington (1924), Bowling Green (1925), Middlesboro (1925), Owensboro (1925), and Paris (1925). Hazard (1927), Campbellsville (1929), Hopkinsville (1931), and Somerset (1931) were not far behind. By 1946, the state federation consisted of twenty-eight clubs. The Kentucky Federation has grown tremendously since those first years. Today there are approximately 55 active local organizations. Our federation’s objectives at the time and still remain to elevate the standards and promote the interests of all professional and businesswomen. We strive to create opportunities for women through education, training, career development, and networking. The L. Pearl Landrum Loan fund was initiated in 1928 and provided women with the financial means to secure training for a profession or a career in business. In 1959, the Lena Madesin Phillips Memorial Forest Programs was begun. This memorial paid tribute to a woman who worked hard for the cause and who had been elected President of the National and International Federation.
The BPW sponsors Business National Women’s Week, nationally as well as locally, with programs. Every year this celebration highlights the achievements of business and professional women.
In 1986, the University of Louisville organization was formed, the charter being signed by then State President Mona Goodman, August 26, 1986. Linda Eiseman who worked in the Provost’s office here at the University of Louisville was our first local president, followed excellently by Brenda Gunn, Julia Lewis, Mona Wood, Patricia Gregg, and Evelyn Bowles. U of L/BPW had 127 charter members and our membership steadily increased. We have expanded our programs and become a respected voice for women on campus; and across the state we have won many awards for achievements in various endeavors. In 2004, we officially changed our name to BPW/Louisville to reflect our membership.
This information was compiled from BPW/KY membership documents housed in the archives of Ekstrom Library, University of Louisville.