National Business Women’s Week®
October 20 -24, 2014
To honor the contributions of working women and employers who support working women and their families, Business and Professional Women’s Foundation celebrates National Business Women’s Week® (NBWW) during the third week of October.
National Business Women’s Week® provides an opportunity to call attention to women entrepreneurs, facilitate discussions on the needs of working women, share information about successful workplace policies, and raise awareness of the resources available for working women in their communities. Traditionally during NBWW, BPW Foundation singles out extraordinary women who epitomize what it means to be a woman leader in the workplace.
The NBWW Activity Guide provides information, tips and tools for celebrating NBWW in your community. Download NBWW materials:
- NBWW Activity Guide
- Sample Press Release
- Sample Proclamation
- BPW Foundation Media Tool Kit
- WOMENomics Tool Kit
- Joining Forces for Women Veterans Summit Tool Kit
Women in Charge
NBWW is a great opportunity to recognize and highlight the progress women have made as business owners and entrepreneurs. Today there are 7.2 million majority-owned, privately-held, women-owned businesses in the United States. These firms employ 7.3 million people and generate $1.1 trillion in sales. Only twenty years ago it was still legal to require a woman to have a male co-signer before receiving a business loan. Read more…
History of NBWW
October 21-25, 2013 marked the 85th anniversary of National Business Women’s Week® (NBWW). Since its creation in 1928, the event has been sponsored by Business and Professional Women to recognize and honor the achievements of working women throughout history. BPW members and BPW Foundation call attention to local women entrepreneurs, facilitate discussions on the needs of working women, share information about successful workplace policies and raise awareness of resources available for women in their communities.
The concept of National Business Women’s Week originated from Emma Dot Partridge, executive secretary of Business and Professional Women/USA from 1924-1927. The first annual observance of NBWW was held April 15-22, 1928 and National President Lena Madesin Phillips opened it with a nationally broadcast speech. She said that the purpose of the week was “to focus public attention upon a better business woman for a better business world.” From this early effort, NBWW has grown to be a nationwide salute to all working women.
NBWW was moved to the third full week of October in 1938. Over the years, NBWW has become an event widely recognized by public and private institutions and local communities. Each U.S. President since Herbert Hoover has acknowledged NBWW with a letter recognizing the contributions and achievements of working women. In addition, on the state and local levels, governors and mayors also issue similar proclamations.
The celebration of National Business Women’s Week has helped to promote leadership roles for women and to increase opportunities for their advancement professionally and personally.