GENESIS
The National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs (NFBPWC) was founded by Dr. Lena Madesin Phillips in New York in 1919 and the International Federation of Business and Professional Women (IFBPW also known as BPW International) was founded in 1930. BPW International has become one of the most influential international networks of business and professional women with affiliates in over 100 countries on five continents. BPW has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and participatory status with the Council of Europe. Its members include influential women leaders, entrepreneurs, business owners, executives, professionals and young career women.
The root of BPW’s advocacy is embedded in the work with the United Nations. BPW lobbied for the formation of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and supported many women’s issues. BPW was awarded a Peace Messenger Certificate from UN Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar in 1987. Esther Hymer, BPW representative at the UN, was named as one of three women playing a significant role in the work of the UN Commission by Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 1997.
Today, BPW continues its representation at UN Headquarters in New York, Vienna, Geneva; UN regional offices (UNECA, UNECE, UNESCAP, UNESCWA, UNECLAC); UNESCO, UNICEF, ILO, WHO, UNCTAD, UNIDO, FAO, UN DPI; Council of Europe; European Women’s Lobby and continues to work closely with UNIFEM.
To learn more about the International Federation of Business and Professional Women, visit BPW International
NFBPWC-NYC is an affiliate of both BPW International and NFBPWC-USA. When you join NFBPWC-NYC, you are automatically a member of BPW International, North America& the Caribbean Region and NFBPWC-USA.
SOME MOMENTOUS OCCASIONS


President John F. Kennedy signs the 1963 Equal Pay Act into law as BPW-USA president Dr. Minnie Miles, at his left shoulder, witnesses the signing .
