Who We Are

Bozeman BPW is a diverse group of 81 professional women working to ensure that women in the Gallatin Valley have the tools to succeed. Our members come together twice monthly for regular meetings where they pool their talents and resources to create innovative professional, educational, and networking opportunities for women. We honor local women who are making outstanding contributions to our community and helping women succeed. 


Linda Ford, Feng Shui for the Workplace, program 6/13/07

Nikki Kimbal, Ultra Marathon Professional, program 9/26/07

At the state and national levels, BPW's lobbying efforts focus on broad issues for working women such as economic equity, health and civil rights. Key issues on our legislative agenda include:

• Pay equity
• Balancing work and family
• Implementing family friendly policies in the American workplace
• Gender and racial equity
• Sexual harassment and abuse against women and children
• Reproductive choice
• Welfare and tax reform
• Pension laws and equity in insurance

History

Bozeman BPW held its first meeting on September 18, 1930 in the Baxter Hotel. The 25 charter members envisioned an organization that would elevate standards for women, promote business and professional activities, and encourage a spirit of cooperation, fellowship and friendship among members. Over seventy years later, our mission remains true to this original vision.

Miss Jessie Aiken was elected to be the first president, and many prominent women have been members over the years, including congresswomen and state legislators. Bozeman BPW has also participated in numerous important projects in its long history. 

During the depression, Bozeman BPW gave two hours of work weekly to unemployed women -- an amount equal to 10,077 hours and $2,518.25. Many of our present programs were started more than 60 years ago. The first scholarship of $50 was awarded to a MSU student in 1937; scholarships have ranged up to$1000 in recent years. Early members also observed National Business and Professional Women's week each fall and named a Woman of the Year.

Bozeman BPW historical records from 1921 to current are held in the Merrill G. Burlingame Special Collections at the Montana State University Library. Here is a link to a table of contents of what is held there: http://www.lib.montana.edu/collect/spcoll/findaid/2439.html

President
Lindsey Van Hemelryck
lvanhemelryck@yahoo.com
406-351-1174

1st Vice President - Issues Management
Sally Larson Babcock
sallybabcock@gmail.com
406-586-8038

Treasurer
Chrissy Frank
chrissyf@ourbank.com
406-585-3957

Corresponding Secretary-Newsletter Editor
Beth Bridgers Johns
fbjohns@theglobal.net
406-586-3298

Recording Secretary
Peggy Foster
mfoster@azworld.com
406-556-6160

Member Pages Information

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