The Leading Advocate for Workingwomen

Mission Statement

To achieve equity for all women in the workplace through

advocacy, education, and information.

Michigan BPW is a part of the oldest and largest organizations for workingwomen in the world, BPW/USA, our National Federation. The national organization is made up of federations from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands.

It is difficult to speak of Michigan BPW's history without including the National Federation as well. It started in 1912 as an opportunity for 3 women, architect Emily Butterfield, publisher Emma Spoor, and manufacturer's agent Grace Wright to meet for lunch. Their focus was what we would term networking. In these fast-paced times of the 21st century it is hard to imagine any business woman being lonely at lunch time. But that is why these three women founded the Detroit Business Woman's Club.

This organization is credited with being the oldest one of its kind in the United States. "I think it never occurred to us that we were doing something absolutely unique," Emily Butterfield later reflected. "I know I never would have had the idea if it had not been that all of my business acquaintances were men, and I was actually lonesome for speaking acquaintances with business women as I pattered up and down the avenue at the noon hour looking for a place where a lone woman might eat."

Soon two women joined this group who were destined to leave their mark on the future activities of business and professional women. They were Miss Georgia Emery and Mrs. Lena Lake Forrest. The group lost no time in establishing a working scholarship fund with a $2.00 donation by Georgia Emery, to assist women and girls in securing more education.

In 1917, a young woman arrived from Massachusetts to work with Mrs. Forrest in the insurance business. She was Miss Marion McClench. During this time clubs were forming in Bay City, Grand Rapids, Saginaw and Flint. They came together for their first annual convention in June of 1918 in Detroit. The delegates decided to join the National Women's Association of Commerce. They endorsed "equal pay for equal service."

About this time the neighboring states had begun to develop similar groups. Georgia Emery was contacted by Lena Madesin Phillips of Kentucky, regarding developing a National Business Women's Committee in hopes of joining these various groups into one organization. This contact brought the historical meeting in St. Louis in July 1919. The result was the formation of the National Federation of Business & Professional Women's Clubs. The Club Woman's Collect, written by Mary Stewart in 1904, was adopted at that time.

Individuals may join BPW through a local organization which comes together for regular meetings and special programs. Members are encouraged to meet new people, network professionally, share career strategies, and to work on legislative and social issues of importance to women. The Michigan State Federation has forty-seven local organizations throughout Michigan.

There are many many reasons for joining BPW/MI. Being a part of a national movement to make a positive impact on the lives of workingwomen, developing leadership skills, enhancing your personal and professional life while gaining lifelong friendships are just a few! Contact one of us to learn more about the benefits of joining BPW.

There are several levels of membership in BPW/MI: