By: Megan Shellman-Rickard 
NBPWC Immediate Past-President (2020-2024) 

Living the Biennial Theme Part II 

President Barbara Bozeman’s 2024-26 theme: “Connecting  

Locally. Uniting Nationally. Igniting Globally.” Continues as my  

inspiration for this month’s article. 

Uniting Nationally 

As an organization, we are celebrating 105 years since  our founding in 1919 – an incredible achievement! Our federation was home to Lena Madesin Phillips who united women nationally as a co-founder of the National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs (NFBPWC). In 1930 Ms. Phillips  expanded her outreach as the founder of the International Federation of Business and Professional Women. 

NFBPWC has operated as an inspiration for working women for over a century, but not without challenges  and changes. In 2009 the organization, known then as BPW – USA, closed its doors to membership while continuing efforts to move forward with other initiatives as a nonprofit. For many members, it was  heartbreaking to lose the unifying force of a national organization. 

One of our esteemed members, Bessie Hironimus, channeled the spirit of Lena  Madesin Phillips and her goal of connecting working women worldwide. Bessie’s  leadership enabled us to reestablish our national organization under the name of  EPW-USA and forge a reconnection with the International Federation of Business  and Professional Women. Ms. Hironimus served as our National President from  2010-2012 and her efforts united members throughout the USA who were bereft  without the beacon of a national membership organization. We are indebted  to Bessie for securing our articles of incorporation and creating new bylaws that reestablished us as a federation member affiliate of BPW International. Bessie Hironimus is a member who fully embodies this term’s theme. I applaud my friend, and esteemed member, for her accomplishments in BPW at the local, national, and international levels. Most importantly, I want to acknowledge that her leadership helped us in Uniting Nationally as members across the nation as NFBPWC. My personal gratitude to Bessie for all that she has done to make this organization phenomenal! 

Please continue to reach out to me personally or professionally as  we continue our work to make NFBPWC a better organization,  because together we are stronger. 

Best Personal Wishes, 

Megan Shellman-Rickard 

NBPWC Immediate Past-President (2020-2024)