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National Business and Professional Negro Women's Clubs
Wm. Penn Hotel, Pittsburgh, Pa. - July 29, 1979

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The New York Club honored fifty local New York Black Businessmen at their 1978 Luncheon.

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The New York Club honored Ladies of Distinction from the New York area.

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"YOU CAN'T KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GOING, UNTIL YOU KNOW WHERE YOU'VE BEEN"

The National Association of Negro Business and professional Women's Clubs, a pioneer black women's organization, was founded in 1935. Early the next year, Mrs. Ollie Chinn Porter was elected First National President. At that time, black people were politely called Negroes. And, though over 300 years had passed since blacks had first arrived on these shores, very few had businesses or professions. That these black women had the courage and the qualifications to found such an optimistic organization is astounding to those who forget that black leadership has existed from the earliest days in America. Moreover, these pioneer women established a lasting testimony to their faith in themselves, their people and the future. BPW founders were owners, managers, college graduates and other professionally licensed women who had managed to realize some measure of personal success, at a time when there was no "movement;" when there was no "black capitalism" nor any black studies curricula. Still, they were ready to share their skills with the community. They were determined to exchange information; to protect their interests; to encourage and develop opportunities for Negro women. Since that time, BPW has grown in numbers and in scope, conducting many needed community service programs which go far beyond the original purpose. Women have come a long way and so has BPW!

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