[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 130 (Monday, July 26, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E803-E804]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATAVIA BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL 
                              WOMEN'S CLUB

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                           HON. CHRIS JACOBS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 26, 2021

  Mr. JACOBS of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
Batavia Business and Professional Women's Club on its centennial 
anniversary.
  The Batavia Business and Professional Women's Club was founded in 
1921, at a time when all other local clubs were exclusive to men. Its 
mission was clear from the start: for women to meet and contribute 
meaningfully to the greater community. Under the leadership of its 
first president, Miss Lilliam Bender, the club garnered notoriety 
remarkably fast. Miss Bender received telegrams from countless esteemed 
individuals--President Harding, Vice President Coolidge, General 
Pershing, and Marshal Ferdinand Foch--all extending their 
congratulations for her work to establish such a progressive 
organization. By the end of 1921, the club had attracted more than one-
hundred new members.
  The Batavia Business and Professional Women's Club has been a key 
resource for local communities throughout its one-hundred-year history, 
including in recent years. More recently, the club has provided meals 
and snacks to Habitat for Humanity volunteers, donated baskets to the 
Holland Land Office's annual Christmas fundraiser, and sponsored a 
family for the Thanksgiving holiday. Members of the organization have 
also routinely volunteered with the Salvation Army, the United Way, and 
the Batavia Public School System. Sponsoring fundraisers for local 
women owned businesses is another way the club supports its community. 
The organization holds fundraising events for several other purposes 
each year, such as events to raise money for college scholarships and 
service organizations.
  The Batavia Business and Professional Women's Club is proud to 
attract a diverse membership. Since its inception, the club has brought 
together small business owners, schoolteachers, local government 
officials, self-made entrepreneurs, medical professionals, and 
countless other women from an array of fields and occupations. Among 
the members today, I would particularly like to recognize the teachers 
and employees of the Batavia City School District, the professionals at 
Genesee Cancer Assistance, and the small business owners from local 
favorites, such as Foxprowl Collectables and Jeanne's Table, both 
located in Batavia.
  I thank all the women of the Batavia Business and Professional 
Women's Club for their unwavering commitment to local growth through 
community service and their many impressive professions, and I again 
congratulate the club on its centennial anniversary.

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