Woodward Business Women

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The Woodward News

February 17, 2009

BPW marks 25th anniversary

The Business and Professional Women (BPW) Woodward Noon Club celebrated its 25th anniversary this past Friday by honoring a few of the club’s charter members.

Certificates were presented to Vi Jackson, Mae Leonard, and Helen Mossman, all of Woodward, as well as to Kay Walker, who made the trip from Rose Hill, Kan. to attend the special 25th anniversary meeting.

Jackson was also presented with a special plaque since she is the only charter member who has remained an active member of the club throughout the past 25 years.

“I got involved when I was a working girl in the court clerk’s office in the county courthouse,” Jackson said.

But even though she has now retired, she said she has continued to be involved with the organization because “it’s women helping women and I find that rewarding.”

Jackson said she has also appreciated “the friendship” that the club and its members have provided her over the year, noting it is “like a sisterhood.”

Walker said the friendships she formed and the opportunities she had to meet new people as a member of the club also meant a lot to her.

“I have very fond memories of this club,” she said, noting that it is because of those fond memories that she made the trip to Woodward Friday to participate in the anniversary celebration.

Although the club is primarily meant to be “a women’s business networking group,” club vice-president Barbie Phillips said it is also much more.

For instance, Phillips said the organization also offers a chance for women to get involved in their community from sponsoring scholarships for local students to supporting a variety of local organizations by donating money or volunteering time.

The organization also helps women with individual development, she said, noting that through club meetings and events, women can improve their communication skills and boost their self-confidence.

Phillips extended these self-improvement opportunities to all women in the community “from homemakers to doctors to business owners to retired women.”

“We invite more women to participate,” she said.

BPW Woodward Noon Group meets on the second Friday of every month at noon at K-Bob’s Restaurant.

And although the noon group is only celebrating it’s 25th anniversary, the Business and Professional Women organization has actually had a presence in Woodward since 1923, according to member Jean Stoner.