BPW's Aims and Objectives

1. to encourage excellence in business and the professions
2. to stimulate a realisation and acceptance of women's responsibilities to the local, National and international community
3. to encourage women and girls to: acquire occupational training and advanced education use their occupational capacities to advance others as well as themselves
4. to work for: economic, political, social and cultural equal opportunities for all women the elevation of the status of women the removal of discrimination
5. to promote world-wide co-operation, understanding and friendship between business and professional women

Benefits of BPW South West membership:

• professionally presented dinner evenings in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere
• dynamic guest speakers
• networking with women from a range of careers and age groups
• motivational and educational seminars and workshops
• personal and professional stimulation and development
• Mentoring
• active participation in advancing women's interests
• a forum for exchanging ideas, knowledge and experience with like minded women
• monthly local newsletters and quarterly national and international publications

Dinner meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month.

Special workshops and public seminars are presented regularly.

BPW Southwest

History Women Building Tomorrow Together

It was the vision and achievement of Dr. Lena Madesin Phillips, a lawyer by profession and organiser of women by vocation, which was responsible for the birth of the International Federation, From 1928, when President of the U.S.A. Federation, she personally led groups of American women to Europe to establish contacts with women who shared their interests and hopes. In 1930, business and professional women from many countries gathered in Geneva, Switzerland, and formed the International Federation, with Dr. Phillips as the first president.

Six Clubs formed the Australian Federation of Business and Professional Women on 8 February 1947. The Australian Federation affiliated with the International Federation of Business and Professional Women in 1947.

BPW Australia is the authoritative voice of working women in Australia. It works to raise the status of women by lobbying governments on all issues affecting women, especially those in the paid workforce. BPW Australia encourages women to become well-informed and active at local, State, Federal and International government levels. It co-operates with business and professional women in other countries to encourage international understanding and provides a forum for the discussion of international issues.

BPW encourages networking and the self development of members by gaining necessary skills and confidence to widen their own horizons and work towards improving the status of women.

Since 1947 the Federation has grown both in size and influence. Governments at all levels constantly consult with, and seek input from, AFBPW Inc. at key stages of their policy making process.

Through its affiliation with the International Federation, AFBPW Inc. has consultative status with the major specialised agencies of United Nations (UNESCO, ECOSOC, IL0 etc).

The Australian Federation of Business & Professional Women Inc. is non party political and non sectarian.

BPW SouthWest
Carolyn Monaghan, Dorothy Mahoney and Margaret O'Keefe called a meeting in September 1995 of all women interested in forming BPW in Warrnambool. Members from Geelong BPW attended and addressed the large number of women who attended. As a result BPW Southwest began.

On 18 May 1996 BPW Southwest was Chartered and is now one of the largest Clubs in Australia.

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• BPW is a non-aligned international lobby group which facilitates the exchange of information and is an informed effective voice influencing all decision-makers
• BPW leads women - on issues of work, education and personal development.
• BPW was the vision and achievement of American Dr. Lena Madesin Phillips, a lawyer by profession, and organiser of women by vocation. Over 70 years ago, she realised that true equality for women cannot exist without economic equality. Out of these beginnings grew BPW's aims, which remain relevant today, and include the objective of equal opportunity for women in the economic, political, social and cultural life of the community.

• BPW recognises the need for personal development and supports activities which help women build skills, knowledge and self confidence.
• BPW Australia is a Federation of local support groups (clubs) which provide a wonderful forum in which women can grow personally and can assist in the development of an enormous range of skills.
• BPW Australia's many local groups have projects which provide counselling and career advice, as well as mentoring schemes.

• BPW Australia is part of BPW International, an international organisation of business and professional women from more than 100 countries who work together to improve the status of women worldwide.
• BPW provides the opportunity through the local groups for members to network with women from a range of careers and age groups.
• BPW through the monthly meetings of these local groups provides a forum for the exchange of ideas, knowledge and experience with like-minded women.
• BPW Australia helps women in other countries by a variety of direct and indirect support projects.

• BPW's local groups regularly hold seminars, forums and meetings on a wide range of issues relating to women and work, which are open to the public, and which seek to inform, motivate, educate and assist women.
• BPW's local groups in many places throughout Australia directly assist women in their own communities.

• BPW membership affords the opportunity for active participation in advancing the status of women.
• BPW National Conferences are where members set policy for the action of the elected National term to lobby and influence decision-makers.
• BPW's current policies include representation of women in policy and decision- making positions, small business, child care, pay equity, superannuation and retirement incomes for women.

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