Working women's group looks for more members
The Woy Woy branch of the International Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPW) is looking for more members.
Membership is open to all working women.
The local group meets regularly and sponsors women to undertake further education to enhance their employment prospects.
This year it will be giving a $600 scholarship to a mature age woman entering a degree course at the Central Coast Campus of the University of Newcastle.
BPW Australia is recognised as the voice of working women by government at both State and National level and the president has a seat at the Ministers' Round Table on Women's Affairs as well as representation on the Small Business Council according to branch president Ms Pat Harrison.
BPW runs seminars on small business, women in decision making positions and superannuation.
The group also supports women who wish to enter politics but does not support any particular party.
Ms Harrison is also international president of the organisation.
The international group started in the USA in 1919 by Dr Lena Madison Phillips, who realised the difficulty women faced retaining their paid jobs when men returned from the World War.
Women who went to work in offices used to say they were "going to business", hence the name of the organisation.
BPW International also has observer or associate status at the United Nations at the Economic and Social Council, WHO, FAA, UNICEF, UNIFEM, UNIDO and UNESCO.
For more information write to: BPW Woy Woy, PO Box 107, Woy Woy 2256.
Carl Spears, December 17