About Us
Kansas BPW is composed of a Federation to promote our mission and
Foundation to support education through scholarships and loans
Foundation to support education through scholarships and loans
Our HistoryIn 1918 during the World War the National Federation of Business and Professional Women, of which Kansas BPW is a part, was formed because there was not a representative organization for women that could be mobilized in a national emergency.
Maude E. Smith, Kansas BPW's first President, as well as others from the Sunflower state had an active role in establishing the National Federation. On June 12th, 1919 seventeen delegates gathered from business girls clubs in Arkansas City, Coffeyville, Emporia, Hays, Hutchison, Independence, Junction City, Kansas City, Manhattan, and Wichita. These delegates composed and adopted a constitution and elected the following officers: President Maude E. Smith, Hutchison First Vice-President Emily Miller, Kansas City Second Vice-President Clara Casper, Junction City Secretary Peg Waggoner, Wichita Treasurer Ruth Fliesbach, Hays Auditor Nora Lewis, Coffeyville Kansas BPW remained a member of the National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Club Inc. until July 2009. At this time the members voted to sever ties with BPW/USA and strike out on their own as an independent organization. |
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Hall of Fame
On March 15th, 1997 the Kansas BPW Hall of Fame was established at the Spring Board meeting. Its’ purpose is to honor individuals who distinguish themselves in their career and community and for outstanding achievements benefiting women in the workplace.
Pictured 2023-24 Hall of Fame Inductee Dana Rickley with her family
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BPW Member Inductees
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Posthumous Inductees
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1998-1999 Carol Nigus 1999-2000 Peggy Brant 2000-2001 Mara Crawford 2001-2002 Avis Jacob 2002-2003 Dr. LewAnn Schneider 2003-2004 Virginia Williams 2004-2005 Jane Gingles, Fran Graham, & Dr. Sharon Wiber 2005-2006 Bev Gering 2007-2008 Charlotte Shawver 2008-2009 Barb Gibson 2009-2010 Linda Linkugel 2010-2011 Diana Redger 2011-2012 Helen Norman 2012-2013 Jane Hanks, Kathy Niehoff 2013-2014 Sharon Carpenter, Linda Reed 2014-2015 Barbara Pressgrove 2015-2016 Sue Rouse 2017-2018 Julie McDaniel Smith 2018-2019 Marcie Fanning, Ellen Yocum 2019-2020 Sue Patrick, Cindy Simons 2020-2021 Chris Booth, Christina Rush 2021-2022 Shirley Benjamin, Jenny Myers 2022-2023 Donna Gratts 2023-2024 Dana Rickely |
1998-1999 Nellie K. Sergeant
1999-2000 Anna Samuelson Hannagan 2000-2001 Fern Bauersfeld 2001-2002 Amelia Earhart 2002-2003 Bernice K. Bryant, Mary F. Clark 2004-2005 Inez Sterrett 2007-2008 Marjorie Mae Hampton 2013-2014 Donna Swearingen 2014-2015 Mary Tefft 2016-2017 Cathy Haney 2017-2018 Karen Divine 2018-2019 Dorothy Cowley 2020-2021 Edwinna Potenski |
