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Business and Professional Women of Iowa
About Business and Professional Women of Iowa
Since its founding in 1920 in Waterloo, Iowa, Business and Professional Women of Iowa has embodied the powerful principle of "women helping women." What began as six local clubs with 48 trailblazing members has grown into a thriving statewide network serving women across Iowa. BPW Iowa's century-long legacy reflects a deep commitment to empowering women in all stages of their work lives through education, awareness, and advocacy within a supportive community. The organization's mission centers on developing and advancing women personally and professionally, recognizing that women's success strengthens entire communities. BPW Iowa addresses the diverse needs of working women through carefully designed programming, including professional development seminars, meaningful networking events, educational scholarships, and proactive legislative advocacy. The organization's values are rooted in collaboration and mutual support, creating spaces where women can build relationships, share experiences, and collectively advance toward greater equity. Operating as a non-partisan 501(c)(4) non-profit, BPW Iowa focuses on issues directly impacting women's lives without aligning to political parties. For over a century, the organization has maintained its founding vision while adapting to contemporary challenges, including formal updates to its organizational structure in 1974 and 2021. Today, BPW Iowa continues its tradition of advancing equity for women across the state, building on the foundation laid by its first president, Mamie Ives, and creating lasting opportunities for generations to come.