[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 41 (Monday, March 26, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E445-E446]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HAZLETON BPW CELEBRATES 80TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 26, 2001

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I wish today to pay tribute to the 
Greater Hazleton Business and Professional Women's Club, which will 
hold a celebration of its 80th anniversary on April 22.
  The Hazleton BPW was chartered on February 21, 1921. To put that in 
historical context, that was just six months and three days after 
ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which 
guaranteed women's right to vote nationwide. The membership of 40 
professional women, led by President Alma Gorby, met at the Pricilla 
Tea Room on South Wyoming Street in Hazleton and paid two dollars each 
in dues to the national federation. They began right away to make a 
difference, and that tradition has continued for 80 years.
  They gave of their time to sponsor young women in the professions. 
They donated more than $50,000 in war bonds, while also sponsoring 
Chinese nursing programs, donating blood, rolling bandages and helping 
countless infants and women during the war years. They also attended 
state and national BPW conventions. They did all these things hoping to 
make a difference, and they certainly have.
  With the help of the BPW members in Hazleton and across the state, 
the Pennsylvania Federation of Business and Professional Women has 
established a scholarship program as well as other free educational 
assistance programs for women. The Pennsylvania BPW also helps women 
affected by disasters, annually honors women who have achieved 
prominent elected and appointed positions, sponsors a public speaking 
program to aid professionalism in the workforce and encourages younger 
women through career programs.
  The Greater Hazleton BPW, led by President Maria Damiano, is the 
oldest local in the 10 counties of District Eight, which is led by 
another Greater Hazleton BPW member, Rita S. Kurland.
  I am pleased to say that the members of the Greater Hazleton BPW have 
for 80 years upheld the BPW Federation's objectives: to elevate the 
standards for women in business

[[Page E446]]

and the professions, to promote the interests of business and 
professional women, to bring about a spirit of cooperation among 
business and professional women of the country, and to extend 
opportunities to business and professional women through education 
along the lines of industrial, scientific and vocational activities.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to call to the attention of the House of 
Representatives the 80th anniversary of the Greater Hazleton Business 
and Professional Women's Club, and I wish its members all the best as 
they continue to serve the women of the region and the entire 
community.

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