Helping Women Succeed... Professionally, Politically and Personally
Montana Women's Lobby

Bozeman BPW is an organizational member of the Montana Women’s Lobby (MWL).

About MWL

The Montana Women’s Lobby is comprised of individual and organizational members who work to develop, promote, aid, and maintain legislation of interest to women, specifically in the areas of: economics, health and reproductive rights, education, and violence and legal rights.  The organizational members holding positions on the board of directors of the Lobby are AAUW-Montana (American Association of University Women), Montana Business and Professional Women (MTBPW), and Bozeman Business and Professional Women (Bozeman BPW).

MWL Board of Directors

2011–2012 Board of Directors:
Director
 Email
 Diane Ehernberger (AAUW-MT)   di47mt@gmail.com
 Carol Potera (AAUW-MT)     
  carpot@aol.com
 Darlene Siedschlaw (MTBPW)
  tootsmp@msn.com
 Vickie Amundson (MTBPW)
  vickieamundson@clarkforkrealty.com  
 Sally Babcock (BBPW)   sallybabcock@gmail.com
 Corky Bush (Independent) 
  corkyb43@yahoo.com
  EJ Porth (Independent)
  Elizabeth@havenmt.org
             
Staying Connected


Bills and alerts for member action are located at mtwomenslobby.tumblr.com. MWL also maintains Facebook and Twitter (@mtwomenslobby) accounts, both of which receive instant notification when messages are posted to the MWL blog.

Historical Success

The idea for the Lobby originated in 1981 when a number of women’s organizations decided they needed a more consistent presence during the legislative session. Through the joint efforts of BPW, AAUW and many other organizations, a coalition organized in 1982 under the name of The Women’s Lobbyist Fund.  In the mid-1990s, the name was changed to the Montana Women’s Lobby.

The Lobby’s successful efforts to influence public policy began during the 1983 legislative session and continue to the present day. Among the Lobby’s accomplishments are support for:
  • Non-gender insurance in 1983 and defending in all subsequent sessions;
  • An increase of the state minimum wage to the federal level in 1985;
  • The removal of zoning restrictions for child care providers in 1987;
  • Montana’s first AIDS legislation in 1989;
  • The appointment of women and minorities to all state boards and commissions in 1991;
  • The stalking law in 1993;
  • Funding for Indian Education for All since 1983;
  • Jessica’s Law in 2007;
  • Pay equity in 2009;
  • Predatory Lending Bill (restrictions on payday lending) in 2009;
  • Pay equity in 2011;
Legislative Day

MWL regularly organizes and participates in a Legislative Day held at the Capitol during each biennial Legislative Session.  In 2011, this Legislative Day was held in conjunction with International Women’s Day (IWD), and MWL presented a workshop at the IWD event.

If you have questions or input regarding BPW-supported legislation or would like to participate on the Bozeman BPW Legislation Committee, click here.
 
 
Bozeman BPW’s mission is to support business and professional women in our community
 through advocacy, education and information.

Bozeman Business and Professional Women (BPW) - P. O. Box 644, Bozeman, Montana  59771

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