Mt. Pleasant BPW will celebrate group’s 100th anniversary April 1

Courtesy of Elise Klopfenstein

On April 5, 2020, Business and Professional Women's Organizations throughout the United States will be celebrating their 100th Anniversary. The organization originated in New York in 1919. Eleanor Roosevelt was a prominent member during those early years.

Awareness of women's issues is not as some may think - a recent social concern. For the past 100 years the Business and Professional Women's Organizations have been a powerful force in organizing and promoting the interest of working women - all working women - throughout this country. Our past was shaped by the suffragists and other activists who brought women's issues to the fore front.

The Iowa Business and Professional Women are still empowering women. Our mission: To achieve equality for Iowa women in all stages of their work lives, through advocacy, education and information. Other areas BPW is active are equal right for women in the work force, sex trafficking, combating racism, and equal representation of women in politics.

The Mt. Pleasant Business and Professional Women has 26 members actively working in our community. Our main fundraiser is selling caramel popcorn in museums A and B during Old Threshers. We contribute financially to five $1000 scholarships awarded to Iowa women at the state level each year. In addition we award three $750 scholarships yearly to graduating high school senior girls here in Henry County. We also monetarily support the Fourth of July committee, women's shelter, Relay for Life, Cradle of Hope, Camp Courageous and more. We give back to Henry County between $3000 to $4000 each year.

Mt. Pleasant Business and Professional Women will be celebrating the organization's 100-year anniversary by hosting 'Alive After Five” on April 1, 2020. All Chamber members and guests are welcome to join us at the Gather at 408 N. Adams St on April 1, 2020 from 5-7 p.m. for appetizers, beverages and door prizes.

To learn more about Mt. Pleasant BPW, find us on Facebook at Business and professional Women - Mt. Pleasant Iowa BPW Iowa website bpw-iowa.org or locally by calling 515-210-3590.