About BPW

BPW’s mission is to achieve equity for women in the workplace
through advocacy, education, and information.

Business and Professional Women/USA is the most powerful organization in the United States for workingwomen. Members benefit from networking opportunities, resources, career positioning, educational programs and visibility. Founded in 1919, BPW/USA has continually created equity for women in the workplace. With a powerful network of members and nearly 2000 local organizations nationwide, BPW/USA means business for you!

What does BPW do?

Since 1919, the Oklahoma Business and Professional Women have been building women's careers and skills, by holding workshops and trainings, legislative events, providing scholarships, building public issues awareness through the media, and much more. Our members also make a difference through our 45 local organizations, each with their own projects, scholarships, and programs. Together, we are part of BPW/USA, the most powerful organization in the United States for working women.

But I’m not a “professional”, Is BPW for me?

Any one may join, regardless of how they earn a living. Even when BPW began in the 1920’s members ranged from secretaries to executives, educators to business owners.

I’m so busy! How can I possibly fit BPW in my life?

You are in control of your BPW time. You decide how involved to be at the local and state level. Local meetings are a great break, a chance to get away and be with people who understand what you face every day.

Don’t I need a sponsor to join BPW?

No. BPW is open to anyone who supports our objectives and pays their dues.

Isn’t it expensive?

BPW is a bargain! While the dues vary by local, they are usually $65 to $75 per year for workingwomen and $25 to $30 per year for students. Join us today!

Top Ten Benefits to BPW Membership

By Becky McCray

You gain many benefits from BPW membership. Here’s a quick list of ten benefits I’ve felt from BPW:

Friendships. Form lasting bonds with wonderful women from all walks of life from all over.
A Legislative Voice. Receive meaningful legislative information and updates on important work-life issues.
Women Helping Women. Get involved and make a difference.
Scholarships for Working Women. BPW provides local, state and national scholarships.
Local Involvement. Help us to make a difference in our community.
Opportunity for Advancement. You can gain experience at the local, district, and state levels, with mentors to help you every step of the way.
Leadership Training. Take advantage of the Individual Development or Young Careerist programs.
Self Improvement. You can take workshops at BPW conferences, including National Conference!
Travel. BPW offers events all across the state and around the nation.
Networking. Build a support network across town, across the region, or across the state.

JOIN BPW TODAY!

If you've read this far, you're interested!

Membership is open to women and men who share our desire to achieve equity in the workplace. There are local organizations in every single Congressional District in the United States of America! You'll find almost 2000 BPW locals; we're in towns large and small, in every state.

If you need help finding your local BPW, call BPW/USA at 202-293-1100, and ask for Member Services. They can also tell you about Membership At Large.

For a list of Oklahoma locals, go to the Locals and Officers page.

If you still have questions, feel free to ask Kathy!

Dues Work Hard for BPW Members
Professional Women Get Representation and Service for Small Investment

By Carolyn Romero, BPW/Colorado Membership Team Leader

Women have a unique ability to find bargains to stretch the value of their hard earned dollars. The members of Business and Professional Women, one of the nation’s most effective working women’s organizations, prove how savvy they are each time they renew their dues. Through their investment in BPW, people pool their resources to help change the way society treats and views the role of women in the workplace, in the board room, in politics and in the home.

But what does your dues investment really pay for? Some examples of what your small investment has accomplished are listed below.

In the area of legislation affecting workingwomen, your dues:

Distributed press releases highlighting the GAO report showing that the pay gap has widened for women.
Assured BPW’s leadership participation at the Congressional Committees for Equal Pay.
Developed a national database of members providing the statistics that give BPW the political clout in Washington, DC.
Sent Colorado representatives to the Women’s Economic Summit, educating businesses and politicians about how their decisions have real affects on women’s lives.
Sponsored statewide Equal Pay Day events.
Contacted the Social Security Administration to ensure women are considered in the proposed overhaul of the system.

To improve workingwomen access to better paying jobs and greater success as business owners, your dues:

Sent BPW members to attend the Summits discussing women’s involvement in NASA research.
Publicized the achievements of and honored women who have taken risks and broken barriers.
Created a national job bank for BPW members.
Taught women valuable skills to succeed in their careers including public speaking, networking, business development and marketing.
Provided scholarships through the BPW/USA and BPW/Colorado Foundations.
Purchased a local Chamber of Commerce membership that all of the members may share.

To strengthen and provide support to state federations and local organizations, your dues:

Completed the market research developing mentors for the people participating in the Young Careerist Program.
Developed and distributed the market study researching the needs of women in the 18-35 age groups.
Provided leadership training to BPW’s national, state, and local leaders;
Maintained the BPW/USA website.
Provided membership brochures.
Distributed training materials to the local officers helping them run the local organization more effectively and efficiently.

By renewing your membership in your BPW Local Organization, you will ensure that BPW/USA will remain one of the nation’s most effective workingwomen’s organizations. Your annual BPW dues combine to ensure that you, and workingwomen like you, continue to have better opportunities in today’s changing workforce. Together, we will create the changes necessary for women to achieve equity in the workplace and truly become economically self-sufficient.