Once upon a time – – – 99 years ago – – –as of 2019 – – on a Sunday morning – just before Sunday School – in the First Christian Church – here in Crawfordsville, two ladies were talking about forming a Crawfordsville Business & Professional Women’s Club! And – – – the conversation continued after they went into the worship service.

Well – from this discussion our INFBPW/Crawfordsville Club was formed with 89 members!! Can you imagine the excitement these 89 members experienced attending their first INFBPW/Crawfordsville meeting? There were members there from Crawfordsville, Veedersburg, New Richmond, Ladoga, Kingman, Waynetown, New Market, Waveland and Darlington.

History shows our club was formed to provide networking opportunities for women – career positions – advance education – create new interests for women. Forty years after that original meeting there were 4 charter members – one of them was Mrs. Kirtley. Some economists claim our INFBPW existence was the most important economic development of the 20th century!

Our membership has always included a variety of professions – from sheep raising to secretaries – to attorneys – nurses – social workers – doctors – self-employed persons – on and on – therefore – our club programs have included many different topics. And it’s this great variety that constitutes our learning together, for a better business world.

For 99 years we have been here in the Crawfordsville community – proud that our members are always there helping in services – activities – and programs wherever needed and the list is long!!

We are really making history today with our Reality Store®  Our INFBPW/Crawfordsville club awards scholarships to women returning for their education. We join our State Federation in awarding scholarships to women for their educational advancement.

• The Indiana Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. was incorporated on March 19, 1919.
• In 1920, INFBPW/Crawfordsville was organized and became an original member of the State Federation.
• In 1924 received its charter in January of 1924
• In 1928, we presented an Indiana Flag to D.A.R.E. On December 28, 1928 we took Christmas baskets to the County Home.
• On March 5, 1929, we furnished a room at Culver Hospital, now called St. Clare Medical Center.
• On November 5, 1929, the Club Benediction Contest was won by Mrs. Long,

“As we now leave to meet again upon the busy thoroughfares,
may Goodwill and understanding hearts be ours to dominate and control us.”

• In 1930, we sent $2 to State for the Building Fund for National Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Our dues were $2 to National; 50¢ to state and $3.50 to our local.
• In December of 1930, we sent our Bridge Party money to the Community Chest.
• Back in 1940 during the depression, we hosted a fund drive, with other organizations, to assist people who were unemployed at the time. And there were many.
• In 1942, members were urged to buy defense Bonds and Savings Stamps. As a club we raised nearly $1900 and along with the purchase of bonds – together with the Indiana BPW – we helped purchase 42 ambulances.
• In 1948, our member Onda Harris was INFBPW State President.
• In 1951, our membership grew to 133 members.
• In 1952-53, our club purchased 121 pounds of candy and 25 cartons of chewing gum to go into packages sent to our military overseas.
• In 1961, our membership had grown to 222 members – we filled the Masonic Temple for our meetings. And Crawfordsville was the 3rd largest club in the state.
• In 1976, we held our first Salad Luncheon.
• In 1983, we pledged $2400 to the March of Dimes.
• In 1983, the Guidelines for an Honorary Member were established.
• In 1984, Kathryn White was our Woman of the Year and our total membership was 113.
• In 1994 we held our first Reality Store®.
• In 1999, a survey was taken
  • What do you expect/want to take away from a program/regular meeting?
  • What do you like?
  • What don’t you like?
• On March 11, 2000, some of our members joined the Equal Pay Day parade at the State level.
• In 2001, several things occurred:
  • Dr. Darcy Crook developed the Yellow Pages [lists of the businesses of all our members]
  • Maria Vannice became State Parliamentarian.
  •  We sponsored a new club in Terre Haute – Crossroads of America
  • INFBPW redistricted the state and we went from District 4 to District 5.
  • State Issues were Healthcare and Insurance.
  • Our Legislative focus was ”Non-Covered Health Care for Women.”
  • the 8th Grade Essay Contest was opened to girls and boys.
• In 2010 we began a pilot program called WWMD “Working Women Make a Difference”. We donate items to a different charitable organizations each month.

Our club has been honored with four State Presidents – Onda Harris, Maria Vannice, Diane Fisher and Patricia Barker

Many of our members have also served in almost every capacity in the State and District Clubs. We have the organization of the Bloomington Local to our credit. Also to our credit in community affairs, we furnished a room at Culver Memorial Hospital [now Franciscan Health Crawfordsville] with nameplate on door, placed State flags in all their schools and assisted in Drive for the community swimming pool. We have been honored with citations and trophies on Membership, Personal Development and Civic Participation.

Whatever may have been accomplished through these 99 years is due to the vision, courage, and splendid efforts of our excellent leaders and membership.

The best thing we can ask is that each one of us “Catch This Vision” that these women had 100 years ago – and make sure we hand it on to the younger business women in our community who come along after us.

For 100 years our Club has remembered our theme,
“Women Helping Women”
Doing this together we will always be
“Better Business Women For A Better Business World.”

Jean Friend Chadwick