Are You Ready for National Business Women’s Week?

From Barbara Bozeman and Marsha Riibner-Cady

Many of you know that Marsha (Marsha Riibner-Cady) and I have held many posts within BPW – both nationally and in our home state of North Carolina.  

Every year, around this time, comes the question “What are we going to do during National Business Women’s Week???  The longer we have been around, the more we learned that for some things, it is very late to be asking that question in August, when NBWW is always the third week in October – but it is NEVER NEVER NEVER too late to do something.  

For our newer members, who might not have heard of National Business Women’s Week:

Since 1928 – National Business Women’s Week has stood as a special time for us to honor and recognize the achievements of working women – all working women.   

First observed in April (15^th – 22^nd), 1928, Lena Madesin Phillips (the then National and BPW International President) is quoted as saying it’s purpose was:

“to focus public attention upon a better business woman for a better business world.”  

Ten years later (1938), President Herbert Hoover was recognized the efforts of women in business via a letter which stands as a template of the proclamations made by presidents who came after him.  This same year NBWW was moved from April to the third full week in October.  

So, what do we do?  What can we do?

One of the original ideas for this week was to use each of the five days to recognize a certain area of interest / activity.  

Goodwill Day – working with / connecting with other women’s organizations, 

Education Day – putting the spotlight on equitable education opportunities,

Club Rally Day – celebrating your own club with a membership drive activity, 

Legislative Day – focusing on legislation of interest to women, on any level, local, state, or national, and 

Community Day – where you recognize the leaders in your community.  

Taking on one of the topics above, or all of them, is a great way to celebrate and raise awareness and maybe help someone or gain new members.

Another way is to involve your local businesses – ask them to participate by recognizing their women workers, or clients.  

Involve local, state, and federal level government offices by asking for proclamations, or that they recognize the women who work there during that week. 

Don’t forget the media.  Social media, local media, national media – it can all play a part in making National Business Women’s Week a positively “noisy” event.  

Regarding proclamations – below find two examples.  One was issued by a Governor, one by a small-town mayor.  These are good examples - but keep in mind, getting a governor, a mayor or even a town council to sign one may take time.  They should be submitted with as much detail as possible, ahead of time.  The higher the office, the longer lead time is needed, so do your research – contact the office you wish to submit and find out how they need the information and when.  

Additionally – the information / text of both examples, including the date and fact checking, is not done by the officials’ office, but that of those who submit the request.

Similar styled proclamations can be created for other organization/offices to adopt.  See here, a sample for use at the more local level:

In the above example, the date is high lit, because that would be something they would adjust.  

Hopefully from these two examples, you can create proclamations specific to your needs and create a successful buzz and recognition for National Business Women’s Week in your area.  

How ever you chose to celebrate National Business
Women’s Week – we salute you!!!