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SAN MARCOS
BUSINESS and PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S CLUB
Audrey Eerron ir- Historian
SAN MARCOS PUBLIC LIBRARY -1-
The National Federation of Business and Professional V'ornen's Clubs, Inc. VPS founded in 1919 ss an ou t.^rovjth of the previous year's rnec tings
of the V/ar Work Council of the Y.k^C.A, To enable a broader program,
the Federation i^'as incoroorated in 1921. Currently, the National Federation is composed of over 175^900 members reoi'ssented by clubs chartered through 53 state federations in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin
Islands. The National Federation is a non-profit, self-governing, member-supported organizetion. It is incorporated under the 1 av/s of the District of Columbia for charitable, educational, scientific, and literary purposes. It's national executive offices are located in
Washington, D.C. The objectives of the club are to elevate standards for women in business and in the professions;: to promote the interest of business and orofessional women; to bring about a spirit of cooperation and to extend opportunities for professional v/ornen along the lines of industrial, scientific and vocational activities.
Membership in the National Federation of Business and Professional
Women's Clubs, Inc. i.s ooen to all vjomen who are actively engaged in business or the professiona, and who meet the eligibility requirements of the local club.
T'ne emblem for the Business and Professional Women's Club is the
Nike, vjinged victory of Samothrace. It v;as selected in 1921 because it symbolizes progress, to v.'hich all clubs are dedicated. The embli,em also includes the v/and, the v;inged staff of Mercury, the torch of
Wisdom, the scroll, and the ship of commerce.
The B&PW Federation colors of green and gold v:ere selected at the 1927 national convention. Creen was chosen as symbolic of victory, grov/th, activity, and strength; gold as oeing symbolic -2-
of the sun, faith, and fruitfulness.
The Federation Collect was written by Mary Stevjart, first
corresponding secretary of the National Federation, and adopted in 1920 (it was written in 1901;) as a "Collect for Club V/Oi-non".
It is a meditation for working vjomen, and for no particular person
or group. The Collect isr
KEhP US, 0 GOD
F20M.PETTINESS:
LET US BE LARGE IN THOUGHT, IN WORD, IN DEED.
LET US BE DONE WITH FAULT-FINDING AND LEAVE OFF
SELF-SEEKING.
MAY WE PUT AWAY ALL PRETENSE AND MEET EACH
OTHER FACE TO FACE--WITHOUT SELF-PITY
AND WITHOUT PREJUDICE.
MAY WE BE NEVER HASTY IN JUDGMENT AND
ALV-'AYS GENEROUS. .
LET US TAKE TIME FOR ALL THINGS:
MAKE US TO GROW CALM, SERENE, GENTLE.
TEACH US TO PUT INTO ACTION OUR BETTER IMPULSES,
STRAIGHTFORWARD AND UNAFRAID.
GRANT THAT WE MAY REALIZE IT IS THE LITTLE
THINGS THAT CREATE DIFFERENCES,
THAT IN THE BIG-. THINGS OF LIFE WE ARE AT ONE.
AND yiAY X'iE STRIVE TO TOUGH AND TO KNOW THE GREAT,
COPHiON HUMAN HEART OF US ALL, AND
OH, LORD GOD, LET US FORGET NOT TO BE KIND I
Mary Stewart
The Texas Federation was organized in 1919 in Dallas, Texas. It was incorporated as a non-profit organization in I9i;8 under the . laws of the State of Texas and maintains its headquarters in -3-
Fort Vorth, Texas. The Texas Federation is affiliated with the National Federation and International Federation, being guided by the policies of National, but dependent on public or official action based on a majority vote of the membership. Policies and procedures are democratic. The Texas Federation is made up of 191 clubs divided into 1$ districts. Each district elects a District Director at the annual district conference who serves for one year and works with each club in her district. Each club is expected to participate in the district conference, as well as the state and national conventions each year. Each district is entitled to one member and one alternate to serve on tne State Nominating Committee, thus enabling each club and district to have a voice in the nominees
for state office. • In San Narcos, the first meeting of the Business and Professional Women's Cliib was held on Friday, February ifi, 191+9 when a group of business and professional women met at the Chamber of Commerce oi fice to discuss plans for the organization of a local club. The initial organization of the club was brought about by the untiring e;forts of r:rs. Anna Lou Milligan, i-^ho v;as responsible for the gathering together of these ladies. Mrs. Milligan v/as elected temporary chairperson with "Mrs. Carrie Bov'ers serving as temporary secretary. The District VI director. Miss Thelma vCentry of Austin, was present
to discuss the objectives of the BicPW Clubs. Miss Myrtle Tanner, 1 a oast state B&PW President of Austin, was present to explain the organization of the club.
After several more preliminary meetings, the installation ceremonies of the premsnent officers of the San Marcos Business and Professional Women's Club was held on A'oril 25, 19li-9 at Julia's
Tea Room in San Marcos. The officers who were Installed that -u-
evening in an imoressive candlelight ceremony were:
Mrs. Carrie Bowers President Mrs. Betty Field First Vice President Mrs, Blanche Nix Second Vice President Mrs, Anna Lou Milligan Recording Secretary Mrs. Margaret V/ilson Correspond! ng Secretary Mrs. Lucille VJhite Treasurer Hiss Alma Lueders Parliamentarian Mayor" and. Mrs. Frank Zimmerman were special guests this April
night in 19l}.9 v/hen the nev: club, with forty-one charter members,
was formed. Mayor Zimmerman expressed his pleasure at the installation
that this new club had been initiated.
Charter members were:
Bailes, Hazel Lueders, Alma (deceased) - ; Box>fers, Nyla KcRell, Ruby Bell, Wanda Milligan, Lou Bowers, Carrie Moore, Edna' Boyer, Billy Munk, Ruth Bethke, Lela Mae Metcalf, Lillian, Brogden, Mary C. (deceased) Nix, Blanche Carson, Roberta Penn, Carrie (deceased) Carson, Jo Bettie (deceased) Posey, Julia . "..Crosslin, Hiwatha ,Sherman, Susie (deceased) Chucekj Erma Thorpe, M. Rudolph Curtis, Bess V/hisenant, Anne (deceased) Dry, Mary "White, Lucille DeSteiger, Nettie(deceased) V/ilson, Margaret (deceased) Daniel, Annia D. V/illiams, Laura B, Eastwood, Iris V/imberley, Mary Edith Field, Betty Whiteford, Lou Fielder, Ernest Lee V/oods, Beatrice Cray, Helen V/eathers, Hyla Hall, Annie (deceased) Zunker, Robbie Mae Jentsch, Edna (deceased)"
Only two charter members are currently in the San Marcos B&PV/ Club. They are Bess Curtis and Mary Dry. These two. club members., have been the "backbone" of the club through the past twenty seven years.
The Officers of the San Marcos club serve for one year. The
officers are president, presidentr-elept, first and second vice-
presidents, recording secretary, corresponding secretary, treasurer,
and parliamentarian. .In addition to these there are six standing
committees and ten special committees. The six standing committees are Program, Finance, Legislation, Membership, Public Relations, -5-
and Foundation, The special committees are Personal Develoornent,
Civic Participation, World Affairs, Young Careerist, Spaghetti Dinner,
Telephone, Yearbook, Hospitality, Scrapbook and Historian, and
National Business and Professional V/omen's V/eek. The chairpersons
of these committees are chosen by the President currently in office
to serve one year. In addition to these, the Chaolain is also
chosen to serve for one year. The chairoersons of the standing
committees, along with the executive committee of the organization,
constitute the Board of Directors of the club.
To become a member of the San Marcos Business and Professional
Women's ClUb a woman must be gainfully employed. A name maj** be
submitted for membership by any member in good standing. After
being presented for membershio a vote of the members present is
taken and a tv/o-thirds affirmative vote by secret ballot of those
present is necessary for election. After the payment of dues a
new member is given a pin and is then entitled to all the benefits
of club membership.
Each San Marcos Business and Professional Woman Club member
receives a copy of the publication National Business Woman which is published by the National Federation in V/ashington, D. C. and a
copy of the official publication of the Texas Federation which is entitled The Texas Business and Professional Woman and is piAblished at their headquarters in Fort Worth.
The objectives of B^PW clearly point to an active participation in legislation. The Federation history is highlighted by successes such as: the creation of State Commissions on the Status of Women, the establishment of the Business and Professional V'omen's Foundations (our research center and library that conducts and supoorts research regarding employed women and administers scholarships and training programs), and the soonsorship of the Congress of Career Women -6-
Le3ders--a cooperative effort of organizations with common interests.
The Business and Professional Women's Clubs have also furnished leadership in the fight for equal pay legislation and equal jury service qualifications.
Future goals of the club are encouraging assiduous effort toward passage of the Equal Rights Amendment to the United States
Constitution, the endorsement of qualified women for policy-making
m oositions, the removal of inequities under law for both men and women, legislation for more equitable distribution of the tax burden, legislation for more effective crime control and law enforcement, and the enrichment of the working woman in all areas encompaKsed by Federation goals.
Each year at the Annual National Convention of Inc. a legislative platform is adopted. In turn, the State Federation and the local clubs support and make stringent efforts to accomplish the goals set forth by the NationaljOrganization. Throughout the history of B&PW there has been a united effort to accept the particular challenge at hand, whatever it might be, and work together for a successful conclusion. Thus, the legislative platform changes frx)m year to year.
The most recent efforts have been directed nationally toward the oassage of the Equal Rights Amendment. This particular issue is still very much alive in that there are still five states lacking before it can be ratified nationally.
In the month of November, 1973, a tremendous vote in Texas indicted the desires of Texans concerning the Homestead Amendment.
.All local clubs, including the San Marcos B&PV/ Club, worked diligently to help in informing the public concerning the importance of this expression of need for reform. Unfortunately, this fight is continuing als° because the present Constitutional Convention has not seen fit <7 -7- to honor the mandate of the voters. A B&PV/ delegate to the convention has .put forward a proposal that needs to be accepted in order that all of the efforts of the B&PW Clubs throughout Texas will not have been in vain. The examples above are typical of tne legislative efforts of this local club, as well as all of the many clubs throughout the United States. The basic concern for fair play --for men and women-- and equal opportunities for all will constantly be a product of any legislation that this group supports. Although the national platform for legislation will emphasize particular items as the need arises, it will alvjays be focused on what is best for the most. The club made a step forward in 1975 when Judy Brackett was elected County Treasurer of Hays County. This is the Club*s first woman in government. The local Business and Professional Women's Club is also active in Civic Participation programming, sponsored by the National
Federation. In the 1960's, the B&PW hosted an annual Civic Parl^icipation Dinner at v,'hich time other organizations in San Karcos were given the opportunity to nominate outstanding men and women of the area. A selection was made from these nominations and the ouustanding
Man and V/oman of the Year were presented. "San Marcps in the Seventies" was the theme of the Civic Participation banquet in 1979, the program being a panel discussion on what San Marcos could expect in this decade. Participating in the panel discussion was H.C. Kyle,III, moderator^ V/allace Dockall, representing Gary Job Corps; Reverend Paul Powell, representing the churches j Dr. Billy Mac Jones, representing . •
Southv73st Texas State University; Steve Sessom, representing the young adults; Ophelia Vasquez, represent^g the public schools, [ -8-
and Leo ?oore of the Chamber of Commerce. In 1971 for Civic Participation the club chose to recognize tVie youth of our city by presentin.3 awards to the Junior Citizen, the Young Citizen, the University Citizen, and the Gary Job Corps Citizen. A donation went to International Friendship Garden. This beautiful building has accomodated :aany conventions and other important meetings. In June 1976, the State i^PV. convention convenes in Brownville in this beautiful building. In 1972, the club returned to prior years recognition by presenting an Outstanding Man and VJoman of the Year Award. In 1973, the club celebrated their twenty-fourth anniversary with a covered dish dinner, a birthday cake, and a program given on the Scheib Opportunity Center. From the beginning, the San Marcos Business and Professional
Vomen's Club has been a service organizetion, as well as an organization working for the betterment of opportunities for business and professional women./ Through the years these goals have not diminished. Helping others usually requires finances. The method for securing these funds over the years has varied. One of the earliest money making projects w^as a cake walk and bingo concession on the square at a B&:PV: sponsored Halloween Carnival followed by a street dance. This activity continued for three more yerrs, after which the ladies turned to selling candy, stationery, fruit cakes, and various other items. In 1959^ Daisy Swansy, who vras dietician at the San Marcos - . Baotist Academy,.conceived the idea of having a spaghetti dinner as the club's money making project. The idea proved so successful that this has been the club's only money making project Since that date. This has been made possible by the hard work done by the club members and the great cooperation that the club Has recieved from the community. -9-
T!je services of the Business and Professional V'omen's Club to the community have been felt in many ways. Projects v/hich .uave been initiated and completed are varied. At one time the club purchased new sheet music which was badly needed by the San xiai-cos High School Band; at another time a new refrigerator, a power dynamo, a drin'^ing fountain, an incubator, a walker, and a wheel chair for patients "were purchased for the old hospital on Belvin street. The proceeds of-the first Spaghetti Dinner were used to furnish one complete room in the new hospital and the nurse's lounge.
Each yeari/ the club donates a scholarship to a female student at Southviest Texas State University and every third year two scholar ships are given. Due to the untiring efforts of Bess Curtis, Maude Vliisenant and other club members the Nativity Scene accupied the south west corner of the square each December from 195U through 197U» Since Guadalupe Street and Lyndon 3. Johnson Drive have been made one way stre -.ts the scene was moved ;in December 197^ to the southeast corner of the square so it would face the oncoming traffic. This is the only religious scene sponsored by a local organization publicly displayed each Christmas in the downtown
area in San Marcos. One of the latest projects has been to help the Scheib Center in San Marcos by donations of money and this past Christmas a badly needed recliner chair" was donated. The club has participated injcontributing funds in the amount of $300 to the San Marcos Museum Fund. In 1968 a benefit tea was held in the home of President and Mrs. Jack Byrom of San Marcos Academy wuth the proceeds being given to the museum fund. In October of 1971 the club participated in the beautification and clean-up orogram sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and .contributed to the purchase of attractive trash receptacles for the downtown area. The B£;PW Club has had decorated cars in the Reoublic of Texas Chilympiad -10-
Psrrdes. Other activities include participating in the Hays County
Rubella Vaccine Fund in 197'^ making contributions to the Sputhside Community Center over the years. In addition to these, the club has participated in the bicentennial activities and contributed ^ toivard the construction of the riverwalk and they also gave a tree for the memorial grove. Club vjomen assisted firemen by putting "Tot Finders" decals on the door of aged people who live alone in 197ll. Also in 197lj.-75 two B&PVJ signs have been erected on Interstate 35 in order to let the public be ax^rare that the club is a i^ride awake organization.
Besides these community activities, the San Marcos Business and
Professional Women's Club participates in. other Federation Sponsored activities. The Business and ProfessionaiyWomen's Foundation has been c-.-...,- ' . supoorted by our contributions every year, as has the Nursing Fund, the Mary 0. Lilyerstrum Fund for the education of foreign students who come to the United States for their education. In 197U~75 and in 1975-76 all the B&PW Clubs in the. state assumed as one of its projects a contribution to the M.D. Anderson Cancer Research Fund.
The San Marcos Club has made a sizeable contribution each year to this fund.
Participation in the Women's Foundation is one fo the newest projects that the club has become involved in a-t state and national level. The Business and Professional V'omen's Foundation, established by the National Federation of Business and Prof ess'* onal Women's . .
Clubs, Inc., on February 27^ 1956, is the only research and educational organization devoted exclusively to working women. It's many areas of service inclr^de: research, publications, library, scholarship, management seminars, and historical collections, all of which concern business and professional women.
The Foundation's resources and facilities are available to any person or oi^^ranization w^ortcing m areas of concern to emolo]yed -11- vjomen. They are used regularly by educational institutions, business and professional organizations, government deoartments, publications,
t researchers and private individuals.
The Foundation's aim ia tvjo-fold: 1. To assist women from the high school girl preparing for
a career to the established business and proi ession<3.1 vjoman
preoaring for advancement, and 2. to educate the general public about accomplishmffints, abilities, and career problems O'f v;orking women. Aoproximately half of the space at toiindaoion Hea-dpuarters Building in Washington, D. C., is devoted to the Library and Researc^ Center. More thar^ 60,000 cards make up the Foundation's card catoiogs. There are. two catalogs, plus a verticle file index. ^•[^0 first catok-log records every book or publication in the Foundation Library. The Foundation also maintains a union catalog which names every book or "publication on the subject of women toat is recorded by the Library of Congress. The Foundation publishes Annototed Biblio.graohies of published materials and microfilms on subjects of particular concerh to working vjomen. It publishes Summaries of Research done under Foundation
'xrants or fellowshios. It also oublishes Info-Digests, which
contain informati ^n relating to women's education and achievements in this country and abroad, and an Annual Report,vrhich includes
the annual audit and a complete listing of contributions during the fiscal year, plus a report of all Foundat5,on activities.
A collection which is mique to "this Library is a group of important tape recordings of speeches by well-known women. The
♦ earliest item in this collection is an address made in 1939 by
Frances Perkins, First Woman U.S. Cabinet member and* President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Secretary of Labor. There are also speeches -12-
tleanor Roosevelt, Lady Bird Johnson, Anthropologist Margaret Mead,
and some of the 1919 Founders of 3<5cPW. The Career Advancement Scholarships v/ere started in 1969 to t assist \-Jorking women who need additional training to qualify for
a promotion, enter a new career field, or obtain a job. Courses may be academic, secretarial, or vocational; but each applicant
must show hovj the training will help her advance in a career. In the first three years of this program, 53^ scholarships have been awarded to vjomen in ^0 states- a total of $131}.,806. Because
of its sizeable contributions to this fund the local B&PW Club
has been the recipient of state and national recognition and snvards.
Several, other fellowships and scholarships are awarded by the
B&PW Foundation: The Lena Lake Forrest Fellowships and B&;?W A • Foundation Fellowships for graduate research and the Sally Butler
International Scholarship for graduate study.
For managers and potential managers, vromen or men, the Foundation
sponsors an annual series of mamagement seminars partially supported
by the Foundation Budget. ■ '
For the young vjoman or high school student making a first
career decision, the Foundation has developed a Career Aw^areness
Project by which B&PV/ members and others can act as career consul
tants in many fields.
Since its creation in 1956, the Foundation has contributed
meaningfully to the education, literary, scientific and charitable
endeavors that are central to its being. The dream of the Federation's
Founders is increasingly coming true and the Foundation is living
up to the promises implicit in the Red and Gold of its Seal-
the vierm red signifying the Courage and Sacrifice, displayed by p.
The National Federation when it created the Foundation and the gold standing for the great value of the Foundation to women everywhere. -ij-
/ pu i> 11 T'n© PoundS-tion. ©xists to s©rv© tli© Its conipr©h6nsiv© resources, it^ many services to business and professional women, and its constant concern with the personal and career lives of employed women make it truly B&?V/'s gift to the nation. Club activities in connection with the State Federation liave been yearly attendance and participation at state conventions and district conferences. Tv/o members have held the office of District Director: Bess Curtis in 1953"$^ Jean Smith in 1960-61. Lunelle Anderson served as State Recording oecre'.ary, in and is serving as State Third Vice-President in 1975-76. Mrs. Anderson is the first member of the San Marcos Business and Professional Women's Club to hold a state office.^The San Marcos Club also has ha^ the honor of helping to organize the Lockhart B&PW Club in 1963 and the Seguin B&'PW Club in 1971• Further activities include participation in Federation sponsored
award areas. The most recent Federation award area is that of "Young Careerist". To be eligible for this nomination the nominee must be between the ages of 21 and 28^ must be a member of the sponsoring club; must be emoloyed in business or a profession with at least one year of work experience in her career area; outstanding in scholastic work, community service and/or church work; must live, work, and/or attend college in areas served by the State Federation that she represents. The local club first participated in this area in 1973-7^ and hosted the Young Careerist Day on March 2l\.f 197^4-
for the selection of a ai-s^na^t~-wiiinej?. The San Marcos entry,
# Jennie Harkey, was selected as first alternate for District VI that year. Marsha Moore was the local Club's Nominee in 197^-75* Any young lady who is chosen as young Careerist in her B^cPV/ Club is indeed fortunate • Doors are open that she has never dreamed of• The publicity she recieves is outstanding. It often leads to . -11+-
scholfirships in various fields or to s better job in or away from her community. Young ladies should get involved in this Federation
program.
Another award area in which the San Marcos Club participates
is The Golden Torch Award which was initiated in 1969. The Golden
Torch P.vierd is presented to the business or organization in Texas
which has done the most the preceding year to further the advancement
of women. The San Marcos Club honored Kr. R.J. Pollard of the
First National Bank in 1971• In 1972 the club award was presented
to Mr. Bob Kercheville of Austin Savings and Loan Association. The
197U nominee was Mr. Jim Cauthorn of Central Texas Beverages, and Kr. Ted Mclntyre of First Federal Savings & Loan Association of
San Marcos was the nominee in 1975*
One of the most coveted award areas is the "Woman of the Year" >
award. The purpose of this award is to honor a business and professional
woman who has distinguished herself in her career and her community.
She is one who is truly outstanding in her career field or one who \has given outstanding service in research, education, or \^ojd>steer action.\ She must be gainfully employed at the time of her nomination,
but does not have to be a Business and Professional Club member. Recipients of this award are Mrs. Babe Zimmerman^ 1972-73; • Empress
Zedler^ 1973-7^1-; Mrs. Nancy. Scott, 197^-75*
The National Business and Professional Women's vjeek has been observed in many ivays during the years. Club members have at times attended church as a group, held prayer breakfasts, and entertained
* their friends and employers during this week vjith a coffee.at Austin
Savings and Loan Club room. One of the activities of this v;eek has traditionally been a membership tea to which prospective members are invited in order to acquaint them with members and the purposes of the club. Another project during the past three years is the -15-
Bosses Breakfast. Each member invites her boss as guest to the event, A favorite B<5cPW Club annual activity is the '^Angel Flight Thanksgiving Dinner". The Angel Flight is a young ladies organization of the Reserve Officer's Training Corps of the Air Force at Southv.'est Texas State University. Each year these young ladies are treated to a home-cooked Thanksgiving dinner by the ladies of the club.
The San Marcos B&PW Club has two meetings each month. The first meeting of the month is held on the second Monday night and is a business meeting. The second meeting of the month follows the National Federation programming schedule, and refreshments are served. Guests are alvjays welcome at these meetings and members are urged to invite their friends to attend. The real social affair of tlie year is the annual Christmas Party. This is a "fun night" for all.
The Executive Committee is the host at this party. A program is presented, games are played, gifts are exchanged, and refreshments are served in keeoing with the Yuletide season. On this occasion members donate an offering. The offering has been used to purchase food for needy families. The past three years the donation has been given to Schieb Opportunity Center.
The second social activity of the Club is in Aaigust each year.
This affair has been held in various members backyards, then lA^la
Thompson extended her hospitality to host the arfair every year.
The club members bring covered dishes and freezers of home-made ice cream. This event is noi. only looked forward to by club members but by the entire family and other guests.
The future looks Bright for business and professional women. Career women are definitely, increasing in number throughout the ivorld. Their influence and economic strength are increasingly being recognized. As one scans the employment horizon, one will see that v/omen are gradually moving into- higher positions with -l6-
1 better pay- Advances are being made in securing equal pay for ;■ 'equal work. The Business and Professional Women's Club has been ; instrumental in promoting the welfare of women in business and
1 professions. -17-
FAST PRESIDENTS
Carrie Bowers 19li.9-195l
Betty Field . 1951-1952
Edna Jentsch (deceased 19?5) 1952-1953
Bess Curtis 1953-195U
Hazel Bailes 1951|.-1955
Marv Dry 1955-1956
Daisy Si^^ansey 1956-1957
Jo McMeans (deceased I960) 1957-1958
Alma Edv/ards 1958-1959
:Jean Smith 1959-1961-
Marjorie Stewart 1960-1962
Ruby Rudd 1962-1963
Evelyn V/entworth 1963-1965 Gladys Long (deceased 1970) 1965-1966
Dorthy Gulley McClure 1966-1968
Virginia Walraven Stover ■ 1968-1969
Clara Moss 1969-1970
Nancy Scott 1970-1971
Lunelle Anderson ■ 1971-1972
Jo Ann Childress 1972-1973
Elizabeth Kiddoo 1973-197I1
Judy Brackett ^ ^ . 197l^-1975
Viola Adcock. 1975-1976
4^: Jean Smith resigned in November I960 to become District VI
Director vjith Karjorie Stev;art serving the unexpired term.
C,2.