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Shannon says it’s vital to nurture members with leadership opportunities, educational events and lots of parties so members can get to know one another. In addition to weekly networking meetings, called Coffee & Contacts, chapters host periodic Lunch and Learn events, where members are encouraged to present and speak on topics of interest. The group organizes webinars on email marketing, social media and other business topics. At Power Lunches, area WPN members are invited to hear nationally-recognized speakers. “People don’t know what they don’t know,” said Shannon, who is also a business/life coach. “I’m also in business, so what I want to know for myself, I’m figuring somebody else wants, too.” Business and Professional Women
In 1919, a small group of business women met in Charlotte and launched the NC Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs. That group eventually became Business and Professional Women of North Carolina, which has 13 chapters including the Triangle group. “They found that there was a lot of value in having women come together,” said Donna Daniels, the current co-president of BPW-Triangle. “They were focusing on, not only networking with other business and professional women, but advocacy issues associated with pay equity and helping further women in their careers.” Advocacy is still an important facet of the group, which continues to work for pay equity, access to health care and affordable dependent care. BPW is also active against domestic violence and sexual harassment. During a re-boot of the organization two years ago, members also renewed their commitment to funding scholarships for women who are furthering their education. BPW gives two scholarships annually, but members would like to do more. On Saturday, May 11, the group will host a Mother’s Day Market at the Mayton Inn in downtown Cary from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. A variety of women-owned businesses will sell art, jewelry, fashion and food. Proceeds from the event, which was organized by Daniels’ co-president Allison Cohan, will help bolster the scholarship fund. The combination of networking, philanthropy and advocacy was a powerful draw for Daniels, who works at SAS. “This group pulled me in and really helped me meet some wonderful women — amazing, talented women that I would never have had the opportunity to meet,” she said. “It’s helped me grow my leadership skills, helped me further my education. It’s really opened doors for me. I wouldn’t have had those opportunities if I hadn’t joined BPW.” t
They found that there was a lot of value in having women come together. They were focusing on, not only networking with other business and professional women, but advocacy issues associated with pay equity and helping further women in their careers.”
— Donna Daniels BPW-Triangle
BPW-Triangle will host a Mother’s Day Market, 10:30 a.m.3:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, at the Mayton Inn in downtown Cary. A variety of women-owned businesses will sell art, jewelry, fashion and food. Proceeds from the event, which was organized by Allison Cohan, right, the group’s co-president, will fund scholarships.
CARY MAGAZINE 43