[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 115 (Thursday, September 4, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1663]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S CLUB CELEBRATES 80 YEARS

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                          HON. RICHARD E. NEAL

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 4, 1997

  Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a leading civic 
organization in Massachusetts' Second Congressional District, the 
Springfield Business and Professional Women's Club. October 28, 1997, 
will mark the 80th anniversary of the club's founding. The club has a 
long history of contributing to Springfield through its civic 
participation, its sponsorship of speakers and events, as well as its 
scholarship.
  In October 1917, 16 women with a common desire to improve the 
positions of women in the work force gathered at the local YWCA. They 
founded a club with the original objective to ``blend together women in 
the professions and businesswomen so that the standard of working women 
could be raised.'' Two years later, delegates traveled to St. Louis to 
join several hundred other women in the founding of the National 
Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs. In its first 
decade, several Springfield members served as officers of the National 
Federation as well as traveling to Europe to help found the 
International Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs. 
The first treasurer of the International Federation was Henrietta 
Harris of Springfield.
  Throughout its history, the club has reached out to promote several 
charitable organizations. Through their Harris-Bullman Fund, they have 
been generous supporters of the Open Pantry, Camp Star-Camp Angelina, 
Grey House, and the Forest Park Zoological Society. Their Jessie M. 
Bourne--Winifred Daly Scholarship Fund provides nontraditional women 
students with a scholarship to either return to college or enroll for 
the first time. In addition, the club routinely collects good used work 
clothing to donate to women on welfare or who were in prison and are 
now seeking professional employment.
  Beyond these endeavors, the club has championed the role of women in 
our political system by donating funds and volunteer hours to the 
Women's Vote Project. Through their continuing Springfield Forums the 
club has welcomed distinguished guests, such as Amelia Earhart, to 
speak on current events and their experiences.
  On October 28, 1997, the club will celebrate its 80th anniversary. On 
this night, members will be joined by State officers of the 
Massachusetts Federation of Business and Professional Women, elected 
officials, and leaders of other women's organizations to highlight past 
accomplishments and the evolution of club activities. As an 
organization with a storied history, it is my hope that the club will 
use its past triumphs as a springboard for future successes. I ask my 
colleagues to join me in saluting the Springfield Business and 
Professional Women's Club on this milestone.

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