HISTORY OF NATIONAL BUSINESS WOMEN'S WEEKSince 1928, NBWW has served to dramatize the many contributions of women to business and professional life in the U.S. The concept was the brainchild of Emma Dot Partridge, Executive Secretary of the National Federation from 1924 to 1927. And for the past years, NBWW has annually highlighted the achievements of women in business and the professions throughout the nation.Ms. Partridge presented a comprehensive vision of NBWW in a speech urging the members to establish the week during the 1927 convention: One of the needs of any young organization is that of crystallizing early in its existence the ideals and purpose for which it was founded. This establishes stability of program, understanding within the membership, an identity among other organizations.... (NBWW] is intended to bring before the public and our members the purpose and accomplishments of the National Federation and its member organizations, to furnish newspapers and magazines with information concerning our organization, to interest the public and the employer in securing better prepared employees, and providing greater opportunities for service among them, through the working of this plan to assist in dignifying all business and professions for women and to encourage general study of individual opportunity....The first annual observance for NBWW was held April 15-22, 1928. Each U.S. President since Herbert Hoover has opened the first day of NBWW with a letter that recognizes the contributions and achievements of working women. In addition, on state and local levels, governors and mayors often issue similar proclamations at the request of state and local BPW organizations. As BPW/USA has grown, so, too, has the scope of NBWW. The majority of BPW's local organizations hold some event to observe NBWW. NBWW was moved to the third full week of October in 1938. The change to Fall was initiated so that local organizations could use NBWW as a springboard for their new BPW Year's programming. NBWW offers local organizations the opportunity to reach out to the community while creating interest in the work of the Federation.
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