American Business Women's Association
Encyclopedia
The American Business Women’s Association is a national professional association for women, established by Kansas City businessman, Hilary Bufton, Jr.
On Sept. 22, 1949, Mr. Bufton and three Kansas City businesswomen incorporated the American Business Women’s Association.
“It was my feeling all women were seeking and deserved equal business opportunities.” He later wrote, “They had gained tremendous business knowledge during World War II
, through necessity, and I felt a new organization for all businesswomen was needed.”
Unlike profession-specific associations, ABWA is a professional organization for women in all stages of their career and in all professions. Members include everyone from teachers
and administrative assistants to CEOs and small-business owners.
Membership data includes:
The American Business Women’s Association represents a range of 23 different industries, including:
, including:
and ABWA. Each MBA Essentials course delivers business subjects at a master’s degree level including “Accounting Tools for Financial Success,” “Organizational Behavior and Management Principles” and “Human Resources: Principles and Practices.” This program is only offered at the ABWA annual meeting, the National Women’s Leadership Conference.
and ABWA. Each course delivers business subjects including "Challenges and Opportunities for Women as Leaders," "Beginning with the Inner You" and "Leading through Enhanced Communication Skills." This program is only offered at the ABWA annual meeting, the National Women's Leadership Conference.
.
Members also compete for the Top 10 Business Women of ABWA based on personal and professional achievements. Every year, ABWA groups nominate one accomplished member as a candidate for the Top Ten Business Women of ABWA.
From the ten finalists, the American Business Woman of ABWA is chosen. The Top Ten are introduced at the Association’s annual meeting, the National Women’s Leadership Conference.
department focused on business and market-relevant topics.
Members also enjoy custom-designed online newsletters to serve the individual needs of different groups: Express Network for busy professionals, District Newsletter to keep members informed of news from the district level and Council Communications for council officers.
On Sept. 22, 1949, Mr. Bufton and three Kansas City businesswomen incorporated the American Business Women’s Association.
“It was my feeling all women were seeking and deserved equal business opportunities.” He later wrote, “They had gained tremendous business knowledge during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, through necessity, and I felt a new organization for all businesswomen was needed.”
About ABWA
The mission of ABWA is “to bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership; education, networking support and national recognition.”Unlike profession-specific associations, ABWA is a professional organization for women in all stages of their career and in all professions. Members include everyone from teachers
Teachers
Teachers may refer to:* Teachers, people who provide schooling for pupils and students* Teachers , one of the five Ascension Gift Ministries* Teachers , a British sitcom* Teachers Teachers may refer to:* Teachers, people who provide schooling for pupils and students* Teachers (ministry), one of the...
and administrative assistants to CEOs and small-business owners.
Membership data includes:
- 18,000 members nationwide
- 550 chapters
- Located in all 50 states
- 5,000 members are business owners
- 39% of members are Executives, Managers, Professionals and Business Owners
- 36% are Administrative, Clerical and Technical Support
- 20% are Retired Businesswomen
- Over 97% of members have graduated from high school
- Over 34% of members have attended college
- Over 29% have earned college degrees
- Over 10% have earned Masters/Doctorate degrees
- 64% live in major metropolitan area
- 36% live in a town (less than 50,000) or rural area
The American Business Women’s Association represents a range of 23 different industries, including:
- Service
- Healthcare
- Education
- Retail
- Wholesale
- Banking
- Insurance
- Government
- Armed Forces
- Real Estate
- Finance
- Manufacturing
- Utility
- Publishing
- Advertising
- Broadcasting
- Transportation
- Construction
- Mining
- Recreation
- Entertainment
- Agriculture
- Forestry
Education and Professional Development
This is a central focus for the Association. There are three main concentrations for professional developmentProfessional development
Professional development refers to skills and knowledge attained for both personal development and career advancement. Professional development encompasses all types of facilitated learning opportunities, ranging from college degrees to formal coursework, conferences and informal learning...
, including:
Regional and National Conferences
ABWA offers six regional and one national conference every year that feature professional speakers and educators from many industries. Seminars and workshops feature topics relevant to today’s workingwomen.ABWA-KU MBA Essentials
The ABWA-KU MBA Essentials program is a product of a partnership between the University of Kansas School of BusinessUniversity of Kansas School of Business
The University of Kansas School of Business is a public business school located on the main campus of the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas...
and ABWA. Each MBA Essentials course delivers business subjects at a master’s degree level including “Accounting Tools for Financial Success,” “Organizational Behavior and Management Principles” and “Human Resources: Principles and Practices.” This program is only offered at the ABWA annual meeting, the National Women’s Leadership Conference.
Women as 21st Century Leaders
The Women as 21st Century Leaders is a product of a partnership between Park UniversityPark University
Park University is an independent, private institution of higher education based in Parkville, Missouri. Established in 1875 as a small church-related college, it has now expanded into an electronic learning institution and provider of education courses for the U.S...
and ABWA. Each course delivers business subjects including "Challenges and Opportunities for Women as Leaders," "Beginning with the Inner You" and "Leading through Enhanced Communication Skills." This program is only offered at the ABWA annual meeting, the National Women's Leadership Conference.
Women's Instructional Network
ABWA is the first women’s association to offer an online learning portal with interactive management modules that will teach members new skills they can immediately apply as ABWA team leaders and use in the workplace. Launched in April 2009 as part of the ABWA Web site, online training courses offered include "Resumes That Get Interviews," " Interviews That Get Offers," "Managing Team Conflict" and "Making Group Decisions."National Recognition
National recognition is one of the four tenets of the association’s mission. Members have the opportunity to run for national office for a seat on the organization’s National Board of DirectorsBoard of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
.
Members also compete for the Top 10 Business Women of ABWA based on personal and professional achievements. Every year, ABWA groups nominate one accomplished member as a candidate for the Top Ten Business Women of ABWA.
From the ten finalists, the American Business Woman of ABWA is chosen. The Top Ten are introduced at the Association’s annual meeting, the National Women’s Leadership Conference.
National Publications
ABWA offers a varied collection of informational tools to their members. Women in Business, the award-winning national magazine of ABWA, offers articles on a blend of personal and professional development topics. Published four times a year, Women in Business features a continuing educationContinuing education
Continuing education is an all-encompassing term within a broad spectrum of post-secondary learning activities and programs. The term is used mainly in the United States and Canada...
department focused on business and market-relevant topics.
Members also enjoy custom-designed online newsletters to serve the individual needs of different groups: Express Network for busy professionals, District Newsletter to keep members informed of news from the district level and Council Communications for council officers.