[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 144 (Thursday, October 23, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2057]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CELEBRATION OF THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS AND 
                       PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S CLUB

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RICHARD E. NEAL

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 22, 1997

  Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to pay tribute 
today to the Springfield Business and Professional Women's Club as it 
celebrates its 80th anniversary and rich history of promoting the 
economic, intellectual, and social welfare of working women. I would 
like to take this opportunity both to congratulate the members of the 
club whose hard work and commitment has allowed this group to flourish, 
and to share some of the history of this club for others to enjoy.
  In 1917, 16 women from Springfield gathered at the local YWCA to 
organize and establish the club. As the original objective they created 
stated, ``the club would blend together women in the professions and 
businesswomen so that the standard of working women could be raised.''
  Only 2 years later, delegates from Springfield traveled to St. Louis 
to join several hundred other women in the founding of the National 
Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs. Several 
Springfield women were officers in this first decade. Women from 
Springfield also traveled to Europe, this time to help establish the 
International Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs in 
1930. The first treasurer of the international federation was Henrietta 
Harris of Springfield.
  Back in Springfield, the organization supplied several of the 
presidents of the New England Federation of Business and Professional 
Women's Clubs and later the Massachusetts Federation of Business and 
Professional Women's Clubs including Barbara Brown in the 1960's and 
Caroldine O'Hare in the 1990's. But the club did so very much more than 
provide leadership at the district, State, national, and international 
levels.
  In 1936, Amelia Earhardt came to speak to the club about her life as 
an aviator. Also, the club sponsored the Springfield Forums, bringing 
speakers on current topics to the public. In the seventies, they 
marched and rallied for the equal rights amendment on Beacon Hill just 
as earlier members marched and rallied to earn the right of women to 
vote. In the 1980's and early 1990's, the club, as part of the 
Massachusetts Federation, supported on Beacon Hill the Family and 
Medical Leave Act as well as bills to prevent and address domestic 
violence.

  On the local front, the club has been involved through their Harris-
Bullman Fund, partly named for Henrietta Harris, first treasurer of the 
International Federation, with local charities and organizations. In 
the several past years, they gave to the Open Pantry, Camp Star-Camp 
Angelina, Grey House, and the Forest Park Zoological Society. Other 
past recipients have included the Children's Study Home and Rachel's 
Table. Also through their Jessie M. Bourne-Winifred Daly Scholarship 
Fund, the club gives scholarships to the nontraditional women student. 
These recipients are over the age of 21 and have either returned to 
college or are beginning college as a need to further their career or 
begin a new one.
  But not all of the activities have involved funds. For the past 
several years, the club has gathered good used working clothing and 
donated these clothes to the Corporation for Public Management which 
helps women on welfare or who were in prison get their first 
employment. The club helps by supplying the clothing and accessories. 
The club has also been part of the Women's Vote Project providing both 
funds and volunteer hours. They have helped with Channel 57 and 
Brightside Angels as well as other organizations.
  Not all of the clubs' efforts are serious. They also believe there 
should be fun and laughter. They have sponsored a Women's Night of 
Comedy for the last 4 years which has provided area women with a 
wonderful night. A fashion show helps to provide funds for the national 
federation's foundation and the local scholarship fund. This year, the 
club has donated $1,000 to the Hope Diamond Project and has sponsored a 
challenge which has led the club to contribute another $1,000.
  For several years, the club has had a candidate's night which has won 
them State recognition. Each year as the State federation gathers, one 
can expect that Springfield will receive several awards. The members 
are proud of their efforts in many areas. They look forward to each new 
club year as a challenge for the future and a chance to reflect on the 
past. They have resolved not to live on past triumphs but to keep 
achieving far into the next century. While they are proud that their 
predecessors help to establish both the national federation and 
international federation, the current members are looking forward to 
the day when equality for women will not be a dream but a reality and 
women will be paid the same as men. But they know that even then, they 
or their successors will continue to strive for the betterment of all 
working women.

                          ____________________