An organizational meeting of the West Virginia Federation of Business and Professional Women was held on May 28 and 29, 1921, in Charleston. The Federation was first organized under the leadership of Lena Madesin Phillips. Chartered were Bluefield, Charleston, Fairmont, Huntington, Parkersburg, and Wheeling Clubs. Virginia Foulk of Huntington served as the Federation's first president from 1921-23. At the end of its second year, the organization had 863 members. National Business Women's Week was adopted in 1926 and has been observed annually since then. Seven districts were formed and adopted at an Interim Board meeting held in Clarksburg in 1944. The Federation was reorganized in 1989 and became five districts. Membership goals have been of the utmost importance to the West Virginia Federation. There have been many changes, several Locals have disbanded, new growth was experienced in the latter half of the 1970's and several Locals were chartered. Charleston Area Local was chartered on June 30, 1986. The late 1980's and early 1990's again saw changes. A new club was formed in 1991 in Chester, but later disbanded. The West Virginia Federation equalized in 1993. However, the economic situation and dues increases by National led to the loss of Braxton, Laurel of Beckley, Logan, Moundsville and Rainelle. Throughout its history, BPW/WV has focused on programs endorsed by the National Federation. During the late 1940's and early 1950's attempts were made by several women's organizations, to acquire eligibility for women to serve on jury duty. Combined efforts of AAUW, Farm Women's Club, and BPW, a bill allowing women to serve as jurors was presented and passed in 1955. It became law in 1957. In the early 1960's, the Federation was instrumental in getting West Virginia legislation passed requiring equal pay for equal work. This later resulted in the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment in West Virginia. In 1993, after a long, hard struggle, the Family and Medical Leave Act became law. State Federation projects have been long range programs including the Governor's Highway Safety program; Mother's Day Shrine; West Virginia Independence Hall Restoration; West Virginia Women's Commission; and "Choices: Women helping Girls with Choices", a nationwide mentoring project in conjunction with the Girl's Clubs of America. Irene Kucan was instrumental in having West Virginia selected as one of only 10 pilot states in the nation to participate in a "Choices" national demonstration project. She received an award at State Convention in 1988 and conducted the first workshop presenting slides that were later used at National Convention. Debbie Davis served as state chair. Locals signing contracts to participate were Ansted, Clarksburg, Grafton, Morgantown, Moundsville, Oak Hill, Parkersburg, Petersburg, and Weirton. In November 1978, the first Mid-Winter board meeting was held in Grafton. A By-law establishing it as an official annual meeting was adopted at the 1988 state convention. It is now known as the Mid-Winter Seminar. A State Scholarship Committee was established in 1985-86. The first $500 scholarship was presented in 1988 and a second one was awarded at the 1989 state convention. This committee was disbanded in 1989. Remaining monies were returned to the districts for scholarships. Members make club and individual contributions to the National Foundation, as well as the State project. Well over $20,000 has been raised by the State Federation through March 1991 toward the restoration of the national headquarters at 2012 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC. In 1988-89, the West Virginia Federation purchased a $1,000 window at national headquarters to benefit the restoration. The window was presented in the name of the Federation's first president, Virginia Foulk. A diamond brick was purchased in honor of 1989-90 State President, Carla Uphold, and a gold brick was purchased in honor of 1991-92 President Elizabeth Cottilli and 1992-93 President Kitty McFarland. An Ecumenical Luncheon to celebrate NBWW with the tri-state panhandle area of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia was initiated in 1979. Irene Kucan was one of the founders. In 1982 she became the first Weirton member to serve as State President, bringing Weirton BPW leadership and recognition. In 1987 the Rick Kucan Memorial Fund Scholarship was established by Irene and John Kucan, and the Weirton BPW was named as trustees, facilitating the awarding of the scholarship each year. In 1994 the Weirton BPW established an additional scholarship besides the one presented to a high school graduate. This one is a Career Advancement scholarship for women returning to school. At the 1982 Interim Board, it was decided to place the Federation History permanently at West Virginia University Library. A committee was named to determine what should be included in the Federation Archives. Serving on this committee were Past State President Marie Zweibel, Past State President Gloria Hamner, Regina Baranowski-Weirton and Mary Susan Dadisman-Morgantown. Our State Federation items are being housed in Colson Hall, West Virginia University. In the 1993, the Weirton Local Issues Management Chairman, Bernice Pitcock applied and received the National Award for "BPW-2000 Local Organization". Weirton BPW was the first to be certified in the State of West Virginia. Morgantown received the award in 1994. At the National Convention in St. Louis, 1994, a celebration ceremony was held to burn the mortgage on National Headquarters. Project 2012, now in the past, BPW/USA's goal for 1994 has been reached.