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History
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"Be the Change You Want to See in the World"
A comprehensive picture of BPW/Kansas cannot be presented without sketching in as a background
the movement, originating in 1918 during the world war, which resulted in the formation of the National
Federation of Business and Professional Women of which BPW/Kansas was a part.
It was realized in 1918 that while men in business and the professions throughout the nation could be
contacted and mobilized by the government without great difficulty, no representative organization
existed for mobilizing the services of women in a time of national emergency.
others from the
On June 12, 1919 seventeen delegates gathered from business girls clubs in Arkansas City, Coffeyville,
Emporia, Hays, Independence, Junction City, Kansas City, Manhattan and
with the Hutchinson Club for the purpose of considering the formation of a state organization. A constitution committee was appointed, (Peg Waggoner, Wichita; Ruth Fliesbach, Hays; and Dr. Etta Mundell,
A constitution was adopted and the following officers were elected:
President Mrs. Maude E. Smith, Hutchinson
First Vice-President Emily Miller,
Second Vice-President Clara Casper,
Secretary Peg Waggoner,
Treasurer Ruth Fliesbach, Hays
Auditor Nora Lewis,
BPW/Kansas was a member of the National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. until July 2009. At the annual convention held in Topeka, the members voted to sever ties with BPW/USA and strike out on their own as an independent organization.