Member of TN BPW/USA
Benton County Business and Professional Women
Welcome to our website. Benton Co. Business and Professional Women is a part of the Tennessee Federation of Business and Professional Women as well as the National Federation known as BPW/USA. We strive to reach the objectives both organizations.
Mission Statement: To promote the interests of Business and Professional Women through advocacy, education and information.
Legislative Mission: Ensure pay equity; equal educational and economic opportunities at all stages of life; support pension and social security reform; promote affordable, quality dependent care to help ensure economic self-sufficiency for women.
Meeting information: Benton Co. BPW meets the fourth Monday of each month. Meetings are held at Country and Western Steakhouse. A dutch-treat dinner will be ordered at 6:00 p.m. Join us for networking and sharing your thoughts with other women. The meeting, sometimes with a guest speaker, begins at 6:30. Click here to see our meeting schedule for 2007-2008. RSVP to Rhonda Griffith at 731-584-2495 the Friday prior to the meeting.
MESSAGE REGARDING THE FUTURE OF
BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN/USA
Vote to Continue the Mission of BPW
In order to continue the vital work of BPW/USA on behalf of working women, the BPW/USA Board of Directors voted in favor of a merger with BPW Foundation on Tuesday, February 17. In today’s economic climate when many are forced to close their doors, this action will ensure that the mission and work of BPW/USA will continue. In addition, it will preserve the BPW brand, visibility, and reputation (Merger Cont'd)
SCHOLARSHIP APPEAL
Each year, Benton County Business and Professional Women are proud to offer a scholarship to a non-traditional female student, 24 years of age or older. Watch this fall for the announcement for our 2009 scholarship. +The applicant must attach an official transcript with the last completed semester, including the grade point average with a minimum 3.0 and an essay explaining why they need or desire this scholarship. The scholarship awarded will honor academic abilities for career advancement. The recipient must attend an accredited Tennessee/Kentucky based educational facility.
This scholarship is usually awarded in October. Watch this website for news of the scholarship application. Meet the Benton Co. BPW 2008 non-traditional scholarship winner.
Read More Print Application Forms
REALITY CHECK - ON MY OWN
For the past five years, Benton Co. BPW has sponsored Reality Store for eighth grade students to help them face realities of life. This year, Benton Co. BPW teamed up with the University of Tennessee Extension Agency to host the Reality Check - On My Own. (Continue with Benton Co. BPW)
WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Yana Dicus was congratulated by her family and friends on Monday, October 27, 2008 when they watched her receive the highest honor that Benton Co. Business and Professional Women (BPW) can bestow, that of Woman of the Year. She gathered with her loved ones, as well as the members of Benton Co. BPW at the Country and Western Steakhouse at the annual banquet celebrating National Businesswomen’s Week (NBWW), held each year in October. Read more and Meet the 2008 Woman of the Year.
Check back in September, 2009 if you would like to nominate an outstanding woman to receive the honor of Benton Co. Business & Professional Woman's "Woman of the Year" for 2009, click here for an application. The recipient will be honored at the banquet to celebrate National Business Women's Week at the Country & Western Steakhouse on
PAY INEQUITIES
When Labor Day is celebrated on September 1 and we recognize workers’ contributions to the American economy, it’s hard to believe that nearly half the American workforce is being paid less than their colleagues for doing the same or comparable jobs. Who are these workers who are being paid less than they’re worth? We are America’s working women.....Click here to see entire article...Pay Equity
EQUAL PAY DAY
Did you know that it takes a woman four months into the new year to make the same amount of money as a man for doing the same job he did the previous year? This year, a woman worked until April 26, 2009 to earn what her male counterpart earned for the same job in 2007. That day was declared Equal Pay Day. Women earn 76 cents on the man's dollar. The disparity is even more for African-American or Hispanic women. Members of Benton Co. BPW will met with Mayor Wiseman to sign a proclamation declaring April 22 as Equal Pay Day to help the citizens of Camden and Benton County become aware of pay inequities.
BENTON CO. BPW SUPPORTS RELAY FOR LIFE
On June 14, 2008, Benton Co. BPW participated in the 14th Annual Relay For Life in Camden, TN. Although this was the same weekend as the State Convention in Nashville, BPW raised approximately $600 in support of the event. The event was rained out but still managed to raise over $50,000. Once again, Benton Co. BPW will sponsor a team on June 5, 2009.
BPW FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS
The BPW Foundation created the Career advancement Scholarship Program to award financial assistance to disadvantaged women who want to further their education. Scholarships are provided to women who wish to advance in their career, or will soon enter or re-enter the workforce. The Foundation has awarded almost $6 million in scholarships, research grants, and loans since 1969, and awarded $120,000 in the 2006-2007 academic year.
FEMALE APPLICANTS MUST:
· Be 25 years of age or older and a U.S. citizen
· Demonstrate critical need for financial assistance
· Demonstrate clear career plans
· Be officially accepted into a program or course of study in an accredited institution in the U.S. Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands
· Graduate within 12 to 24 months from the date of grant.
The deadline for applying was April 15, 2008. Watch this website for news of the 2009 application.
For Additional information about BPW visit:
Click Here for more information about why to join Business and Professional Women's Clubs. Additional websites to visit are:
www.bpwusa.org or www.bpwtn.org
