Celebrating Women

In The Business Place

The upcoming National Business Women’s Week (October 18-22) was recognized in Newtown Tuesday as First Selectman Herb Rosenthal presented a proclamation to members of the Business and Professional Women (BPW) of Newtown.

According to recent figures, women make up 62.7 million of the nation’s work force. Women-owned businesses account for more than one-third of all firms in the country and provide employment for one out of every four US workers.

National Business Women’s Week was first celebrated in 1928 with the announced purpose of dramatizing the contributions of women in industry, government and the professions. From the early efforts of BPW groups nationwide, the National Business Women’s Week has grown to be a nationwide salute to all working women. Each year during the third week in October, local organizations focus the attention of their communities on the tremendous contribution made by women in the world today.

The concept of celebrating “professional” women was the brainchild of Emma Dot Partridge, executive secretary of the National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs from 1924 through 27. National President Lena Madesin Phillips opened the first year of observance with a speech broadcast nationally by radio hook-up.

Over the years, NBWW has become an event widely recognized by public and private institutions and local communities. Each US President since Herbert Hoover has opened the first day of the NBWW week with a letter recognizing the contributions and achievements of working women.

The next Newtown BPW dinner meeting will be November 1 at 6 pm at the Mary Hawley Inn. Reservations, $18 may be made, by calling Ann LoBosco at 426-0472.