BPW International

Joining BPW UK gives you automatic membership of BPW International and BPW Europe, one of the most influential networks of Business and Professional Women worldwide.

With over 23,000 professional and business women like you, across 100 countries and five continents that’s a lot of connections.

BPW International comprises of affiliate federations and affiliate clubs in five areas – Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, North America and Latin America.  BPW Europe is the largest region with around 17,000 members across 30 European nations.

This fantastic network means wherever you travel for business or pleasure, there will be a BPW member to hook up with, who can help you make the most of your trip. Connections can easily be made through the BPW Directory.

For a fuller picture check out BPW International and BPW Europe.

History of BPW International

The International Federation of Business and Professional Women (also known as BPW International) was founded in Geneva on the initiative of Dr Lena Madesin Phillips, a lawyer from Kentucky, USA, in 1930, with the UK Federation as one of its five founding member countries.

When elected as the first President, Dr Phillips said ”Let us build and see what we can make” and the result is 100 affiliates from five regions around the world working for equal status for women in business, the professions and the economy and social justice for all.

Throughout its history, BPW International has made significant achievements. In 1947, it was one of the first non-governmental organisations to be granted consultative status with the United Nations by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), providing the opportunity for presentation and advocacy on all issues within its mandate relating to the status of women.

Member affiliates have been recognised by national and regional governments and in most of their individual countries have been successful in obtaining legal equality in voting rights, employment and financial and political status.