ABWA's Mission
To bring together businesswomen of diverse
occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help
themselves and others grow personally and professionally
through leadership; education, networking support and
national recognition.
The American Business Women's Association strives to
provide a quality experience for members both on a national
and local level, focusing on these tenets of the mission...
Together: We believe our
collective wisdom is the professional woman’s greatest
untapped resource. Everyone has a skill, ability or advice
that will benefit the woman next to you. It’s the ultimate
networking circle.
Diversity: ABWA is
all-inclusive. Here diversity is more than race, age, creed
or color. It’s blue-collar, white-collar, CEOs, MBAs and
telecommuters who never leave their home office. Our
members own their businesses, or aspire to become the next
entrepreneurs.
Leadership: In addition to
assuming leadership positions within local chapters and
networks, members have the opportunity to run for national
office, a seat on our
National Board of Directors.
Education: Lots of groups claim
they offer professional development, but that’s a promise we
honor. At District and National Conferences, ABWA is proud
to partner with such renowned groups as the University of
Kansas School of Business, FranklinCovey, and Rockhurst
University.
National Recognition: By its
very nature, recognition is loaded with positive
reinforcement. It is an essential component of career
development - whether the recognition is on the job or
through your professional association. With such programs as
Best Practices and the Top Ten
Business Women of ABWA, members receive recognition on
both the local and national level for personal and
professional achievements.
History
Founded in 1949 by Hilary A. Bufton Jr., a Kansas City,
Mo., businessman, ABWA has thousands of members in chapters
and Express Networks nationwide. The organization provides
business training and networking opportunities for women of
diverse occupations and backgrounds. ABWA has dedicated more
than half a century to women's education and provided
workplace skills and career development training for more
than 545,000 members.
Post World War II, Mr. Bufton recognized the positive
impact women had on the economy. On September 22, 1949, Mr.
Bufton and three Kansas City businesswomen incorporated the
American Business Women’s Association, and the American
workforce was changed forever.
“It was my feeling all women were seeking and deserved
equal business opportunities.” He later wrote, “They had
gained tremendous business knowledge during World War II,
through necessity, and I felt a new organization for all
businesswomen was needed. "
The Association celebrates 60 years at the 2009 ABWA
National Women's Leadership Conference, Sept. 24 - 26, at
the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in Kansas City.
