National Business Women’s Week
October 20-24 – Stats of Interest

More than 70 years ago, President Herbert Hoover designated the third week of October as "National Business Women’s Week."

Here are some current facts and figures about women and the labor force that can help human resources specialists put women and work into perspective for their organizations’ own culture and diversity initiatives.

1. There were 61 million women in the labor force in 1998. Seventy-four percent (45 million) were employed full-time and 26 percent (16 million) worked part-time.

2. In 1999, 60 percent of women age 16 and over were either working or looking for work, Nearly three out of four women between the ages of 20 and 54 were labor force participants.

3. Women’s share of the labor force reached 46 percent in 1994 and has remained at this level. By 2005, women are expected to make up 48 percent of the labor force.

4. In 1998, 40.7 percent of employed women worked in technical, sales, and administrative support occupations, 31.4 percent worked in managerial and professional fields, and 17.5 percent worked in service occupations.

5. In 1998, 3.7 million women were multiple job-holders, compared with 4.2 million men.

6. Women accounted for half of the 5.6 million contingent workers (temporary help agency workers, independent contractors, part-time and temporary workers) in 1997.

7. The labor force participation rate for working mothers in 1998 was 71.8 percent. The participation rate for married mothers with children under a year old was 57.6 percent, and the rate for unmarried mothers with children under a year old was 58.8 percent.

8. In 1999, 255,000 women in their 70s, 80s, and 90s were employed or actively seeking employment in the United States, an 80 percent increase since 1985. The U.S. Social Security Administration projects that more than 7 million people aged 65 and over will fill the labor force by 2020, and 3 million of them will be women.

Source: BPW/USA’s 101 Facts on the Status of Working Women, Washington, DC., www.bpwusa.org
Source: BNET Business Network

Since 1928 Business and Professional Women/USA (BPW/USA) has sponsored National Business Women’s Week®. Each year during the third week of October, BPW/USA’s members across the country take the opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the accomplishments of workingwomen.

The objectives of National Business Women’s Week® (NBWW) are:

• To promote full participation and equity for women in the workplace;
• To publicize the achievements of business and professional women on the local, state and national level;
• To publicize the objectives and programs of BPW/USA as they relate to the millions of business and professional women across the country.

  Over the years, National Business Women’s Week® has become an event widely recognized by public and private institutions and local communities. In the past, the President of the United States, at the request of BPW/USA, has declared the third full business week in October as National Business Women’s Week®. On state and local levels, governors and mayors issue similar proclamations. Each state and community tailors events and activities to meet its needs. Activities include WOMENomics Forums, Woman of the Year Awards, Women Joining Forces programming, Employer of the Year Awards, displays and exhibits, dinners and educational programs.

The History
The idea for the National Business Women’s Week® (NBWW) originated with Emma Dot Partridge, Executive Secretary of the National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs from 1924 – 1927. The first annual observance was held April 15-22, 1928, when Business and Professional Women/USA President Lena Madesin Phillips opened NBWW with a nationally broadcast speech. In her remarks, she stated that the purpose of the week was "to focus public attention upon a better business woman for a better business world."

BPW Local Organizations implemented daily programs designed to call attention to the mission and achievements of BPW/USA. Reports about activities for those early observances tell of many successful events throughout the country including: Legislative Day devoted to national, state and local legislation of interest to women; Education Day emphasizing the need for equitable educational opportunities; Club Rally Day for prospective new members; Community Day honoring leaders in the community; and Goodwill Day devoted to working with other women’s organizations.

From this early effort, NBWW has grown into a nationwide salute to all workingwomen, as well as an opportunity to spotlight issues of importance to workingwomen. In more recent years activities have included Women of the Year Awards, Employer of the Year Awards, Individual Development workshops, and issue panel discussions.

NBWW was moved to the third full week of October in 1938 so that Local Organizations could use NBWW as a springboard for their new year’s programs. U.S. President Herbert Hoover was the first president to issue a letter recognizing NBWW and the contributions and achievements of workingwomen. Presidents since then have always issued a letter acknowledging the important role women play in the nation’s economy.

For more information and membership, see Business and Professional Women’s site.

Click here for information on the newly released book, Heart of a Woman in Business by Sheryl L. Roush.