Local group celebrates 85 years of supporting professional women

BY BRYCE KELLY

Mt. Pleasant News

Business and Professional Women (BPW), of Mt. Pleasant, have a reason to celebrate this October with a major anniversary milestone.

As of the first of the month, BPW, of Mt. Pleasant, celebrated 85 years of service to the southeast Iowa community and are showing no signs of slowing down. With a regular attendance of roughly 20 working and retired women, the local BPW group meet on a monthly basis at various Mt. Pleasant locations for a time of fellowship and open discussion on a myriad of topics effecting females in the professional world.

For regular group attendee Elise Klopfenstein, a dietician at Henry County Health Center, she insists the all-female group has been an uplifting and educational opportunity for her and says it?s the group?s goal to grow. Klopfenstein has been a member of the group for four years now and is currently the acting public relations and marketing officer of Mt. Pleasant BPW.

?Our whole goal is to be a continued support for women in the workforce, as well as women who are retired, or even just starting in the workforce,? says Klopfenstein. ?Ultimately, we want to build each other up, work hand-in-hand with each other, and really be there to educate other women about issues that relate to them.?

The group was chartered in October 1931, with 95 people gathering at the Harlan Hotel, in Mt. Pleasant. At the group?s first October meeting, 39 women became charter members. Since then, BPW has continued to flourish.

Its overall objectives, which were established at the group?s humble beginning and still carried out today, are to elevate the standards for women in business, promote the interests of Business and Professional Women, bring about a spirit of co-operation among Business and Professional Women of the United States, and to extend opportunities to BPW through education along the areas of industrial, scientific and vocational activities.

Despite the local BPW chapter being founded and facilitated in Mt. Pleasant, the group is open to all local women ? not just women living or working in Mt. Pleasant. Additionally, the group welcomes college students and recently graduated high school seniors who have yet to enter the workforce or a college degree program.

?When I got started with the group four years ago, I originally attended as a meeting speaker,? Klopfenstein explains. ?But what I came to realize is that I needed some female mentors to show me the ropes of navigating the professional work world, and this group has ended up being a wonderful education opportunity for me.?

At the group?s last meeting, which was held in the home of member Jean Church, the group celebrated their anniversary month by honoring National Business Women?s Week and Mt. Pleasant BPW member, Michelle Birdsell. Birdsell was recently named the 2016 Iowa Hospital Association (IHA) Hospital Hero. This statewide honor marked the first time an HCHC associate was recognized as an IHA Hospital Hero. Additionally, Birdsell is the first pharmacist to have been selected for this award in the state of Iowa.

Besides the group?s recent celebrations, they also venture to financially support local women, as well as female assistance organizations within the local community, through a variety of fundraising efforts. Every year, the group ventures to sponsor two to three scholarships, which are opened to Henry County female students pursuing higher education. The group also donates financial contributions to local women?s shelters and fine arts booster clubs operating within local schools.

?We are always striving to give back to the communities that our women live,? Klopfenstein says. ?We do realize how important that is and we always want to emphasize the importance women have in our community and in our country?s workforce.?

The group meets every third Thursday of the month. November?s regular monthly meeting will be held on Nov. 17, at the Airport Winery, in Mt. Pleasant. For more information on how to join or more information about the group?s upcoming meetings, visit the Mt. Pleasant BPW?s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MtPleasantBPW/.