Fonds med-737 - Business and Professional Women's Club of Medicine Hat fonds

The Medicine Hat Business and Professional Women's Club (BPW) joined the Canadian Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs (CFBPWC) March 21, 1939. The Medicine Hat club was organized by Mildred Harper (Ward), a local florist, and a Calgary BPW member, Effie Kidd. The first meeting took place March 21, 1939, and there the first Executive was elected: Annie Currie (President), Myrtle Ansley (Vice President), Mary Bird (Secretary), and Norma McWaine (Treasurer). There were 23 charter members in the beginning. The club operated in Medicine Hat for over 60 years and dissolved in May 2006. Since its founding, the club focused on ways in which to better society and women. The club drew up a general list of purposes to guide their orgranization, which include the following: to develop and train women in business, the professions and industry; to work toward the improvement of economic, employment, and social conditions of women; to work for high standards of service in business, the professions, industry, and public life; to stimulate interest in federal, provincial, and municipal affairs, and to encourage women to participate in the business of government at all levels; to encourage and assist women and girls to acquire education and training; to issue or utilize a magazine or publication; to affiliate with other organizations to promote mutual interests; to cooperate with the International Federation of Business and Professional Women, and to implement its aims and objectives.