History of BPW/USA Home > BPW/USA History Of Business and Professional Women/USA A Legacy of Trailblazers While mobilizing for World War I, the U.S. Government recognized the need for a cohesive group to coordinate identification of women's available skills and experience. A Women's War Council, financed through a federal grant, was established by the War Department to organize the resources of professional women. The National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs was founded on July 15, 1919. Throughout the years, three major issues shaped BPW/USA's legislative agenda: elimination of sex discrimination in employment, the principle of equal pay, and the need for a comprehensive equal rights amendment. 1920s "BPW Goodwill Tour" of Europe initiated the founding of the International BPW Federation. With the theme, "Better Business Women for a Better Business World," National Business Women's Week was established to celebrate and dramatize the contribution of women to the country. Women celebrate the passage of the 19th Amendment granting them the right to vote: Aug 26, 1920. BPW/USA 1922: Executive Committee Meeting in Kansas City, Missouri 1930s BPW/USA worked to prohibit legislation or directives denying jobs to married women. BPW/USA lobbied successfully to legislatively end the legal practice of workplace preference for unmarried persons and, in the case of married persons, preference for males. National Business Women's Week storefront display on the 1930s. 1940s At the advent of World War II, BPW/USA developed a classification system for women with specialized skills critical to the effort and supported the formation of women's branches of the Armed Forces. While wage discrimination has existed in the U.S. since women and minorities first entered the paid workforce, its prevalence was not felt until the massive influx of women sought work during World War II. Immediately following the war, the Women's Pay Act of 1945 - the first ever legislation to require equal pay - was introduced in the U.S. Congress. It would take another 18 years before an equal pay bill would make it to the President's desk to be signed into law. When: Every Third Thursday of the Month Where: Chef Audrey's Bistro(Located by Walmart on Watson Blvd) Time: 6:00 -8:00 P.M. POC: Nancy Kwiatkowski Business and Professional Women's Organization was established to provide research, information, career development programs and scholarships to women, as well as workshops, networking and other training opportunities for women.