~SOTOFAM

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1-877-JOIN-BPW

Welcome to Safford BPW

BPW IS THE LEADING ADVOCATE FOR WORKING WOMEN

WHAT IS BPW?

BPW is the National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs. Each state has its own Federation and in Arizona there are local organizations throughout the state. Membership is open to all women and men who are actively engaged in business, the professions, or enrolled in a school beyond high school.

BPW's mission is to achieve equity for all women in the workplace through advocacy, education and information.

BPW's vision is to be the leading advocate for working women.

WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF BPW?

To elevate the standards for women in business and in the professions;
To promote the interests of business and professional women;
To bring about a spirit of cooperation among business and professional women in the United States;
To extend opportunities to business and professional women through education along the lines of industrial, scientific and vocational activities.

HOW DO WE ACCOMPLISH THESE OBJECTIVES?

We support a platform which benefits women in the areas of civil rights, and economic equity; addressing issues such as sexual harassment, violence against women, equal rights and remedies, reproductive choice and access, funding for health research for women's health care needs, glass ceiling, pay equity and dependent care.

WHY JOIN BPW?

Women who actively participate in activities have opportunities for:

*     LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
*     CONSTRUCTIVE ACTIVITY
*     LEGISLATIVE INVOLVEMENT
*     CONTINUING EDUCATION
*     POLICY MAKING
*    WOMEN'S AWARENESS
*    CAREER DEVELOPMENT
*    PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT
*    COMMUNITY CONSCIOUSNESS
*    STIMULATING FRIENDSHIPS
*    WIDENING INTERESTS
*     BUSINESS CONTACTS

BPW IS THE LEADING ADVOCATE FOR WORKING WOMEN

The 2000 convention attendees

Top Row left to right: Kathie Oehme; Cheryl Soto; Jan Casacchia; Kerry Kelley-Martin; Barbara Haralson; Mary Beager; Teresa Bailey; Barbara Crutchfield Bottom Row left to right: Dr. Dorine Chancellor; Dr. Dusty Bechtel; Clara Page

Convention in Safford April 2001

Top Row left to right: Cheryl Soto; Jan Casacchia; State President Dr. Dusty Bechtel; Bettyann Hazel; Kerry Kelley-Martin; Genette Gentle-Wilemon; Linda Mecham Bottom Row left to right: Teresa Bailey; Mary Beager; Clara Page; Hazel Stewart; Barbara Haralson; Dr. Dorine Chancellor

1-877-JOIN-BPW

BPW IS THE LEADING ADVOCATE FOR WORKING WOMEN

HISTORY

February 3, 1951, Gladys Bagley of Phoenix, Arizona, called the first meeting of Safford Business and Professional Women to order in the Cactus Room of the Safford Inn, in Safford, Arizona. Meetings were set for the second and fourth Monday of each month. Mrs. Neil Gillespie of Douglas, the southern Arizona director, installed the following officers:

President Vera Berryhill
1st Vice President Lucille Young
2nd Vice President Lorris Galusha
3rd Vice President Lois Harrison
Recording Secretary Jean Bryant
Corresponding Secretary Rosalie DeSpain
Treasurer Irene Bowie
Auditor Pearl Mahan
     The oath of membership was taken by the 32 charter members present. Nellie Plasencio is the only charter member still in membership today. She has been a faithful member for the past 47 years and serves as Graham county treasurer.
     Immediately, Safford BPW became visible in the community by cosponsoring a playground program at Firth Park in partnership with El Paso Natural Gas in May of 1951.
      In 1952, the club sponsored a girl to Arizona girl's State. In October of that same year, members decided that the club should have a bulletin and Mount Graham Echoes was selected, the name for its new its newsletter even today.
       Safford BPW has shown leadership in their local community as well as on the district, state, and national level. The club has been very active in legislative forums and "get the vote out" campaigns.   In recent years, Safford BPW has adopted a precinct for Kids Vote projects. The Woman of the Year program has recognized many outstanding women. And, the Boss of the Year program has recognized business leaders.
     In the Club's early year's fruit cake sales provided funds for many club projects. Later, the Amelia Sainz Green Chile Burro sales helped fund the clubs activities, especially scholarships. Fundraising today still includes those fantastic green chili burros, and the sale of See's Chocolates at Christmas under the direction of fundraising chair Cheryl Soto.
     Dorine chancellor and Eunice Mickelson both served as District Two directors. As early as 1954, District Two meetings were hosted by the Safford club at the Safford elks Lodge.
     Dr. Dorine Chancellor made Safford BPW proud when she became president of the Arizona Federation of Business & Professional Women for 1971-72. The Arizona BPW convention was hosted in Safford at the Safford Elks Lodge, April 28-30, 1972. Shirley Angle was general convention chair for the event that hosted over 300 members. At this convention, Safford member, Eunice Mickelson, elected recording secretary of the Arizona federation.
     And, if there wasn't enough pride in Dorine's service as our first state president from Safford BPW, you can imagine the members' pride in 1982 as she advanced through national chairmanships to become the first and only BPW national president from Arizona. Roselyn Ferguson, from Safford BPW, served alongside Dorine as national corresponding secretary.
     In 1976, Eunice Mickelson served as state president of BPW and made her hometown proud! Eunice was an active member of the federation until her death.
     Clara Page, formally a member of Clifton-Morenci BPW, was president of the Arizona federation in 1989. She was one of the original trustees and was instrumental in the formation of the AZ/BPW Foundation. She served as Director of the Foundation and has been a dynamic force in the production of the book, Women Who Made a Difference.
     Barbara Haralson was selected as BPW/AZ individual development winner in 1992. She moved through the state offices, and was elected BPW/AZ president in 1996, with local member Jan Casacchia as her corresponding secretary, and Jean Crinan as the Arizona Business Woman editor. She was an active member of the AZBPW Foundation. She brought the state convention back to Safford and the campus of Eastern Arizona College in 1997. Dr. Dusty Bechtel was elected BPW/AZ state treasurer at the 1997 convention and will seek the office of BPW/AZ vice president at the 1998 convention.
     Whether in service to community or the advancement of the needs of women, Safford BPW has been a beacon for working women in the Gila Valley. Members have served through their involvement in Red Cross, Bloodmobile, Heart Association, March of Dimes, Mental Retardation Association, school boards, school lunch programs, city council members, mayors, and churches, to name a few. Today, local members are well represented on teen pregnancy prevention projects, elder care groups, Boys & Girls Club boards, domestic violence projects, community foundations, women's health forums, and court Appointed Special Advocates. This year, Safford BPW member Meg Jensen serves as the only female on the Safford city council. Member Mary Beager was the mayor of the Town of Clifton. County elected positions include Shirley Angle as county recorder, Amelia Sainz as clerk of the Superior Court, and Nellie Plasencio as county treasurer. Member Karina Trumbull will be in charge of the community's first teen health clinic.
     This year, Safford BPW celebrates its 47th year in this rural Arizona community with thirty three members, a past national president, four past state presidents, a state officer, state committee members, and a strong desire to continue the work of being "The Leading Advocate for Working Women". Safford BPW continues its advocacy for working women today and is a proud part of women who make a difference in the Gila Valley.

HERE IS THE SAFFORD UNIT AT THE S.A.V.E. RALLY AND STREET FAIR . WE SOLD HOT DOGS AND SODAS WITH A REDUCED PRICE FOR WOMEN TO RECOGNIZE EQUAL PAY DAY

Left to right: Kerry Kelley-Martin, Genette Gentle-Wilemon, Dusty Bechtel, Cheryl Soto (in back hiding Barb Crutchfield) Marsha Arzberger, Gus Arzberger, and Barbara Haralson

Safford Business & Professional Women have initiated an I.D.P. (individual development program) through the A.S.P.I.R.E. program at Eastern Az. College. One Saturday a month for 6 months members of our local head up varies modules geared at helping these women in achieving their goals.