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Local Scholarships were started in 1980 for a single head-of-household needing to upgrade skills.
Membership numbers peaked in 1979-80 at 192.
Our members were appointed by Governor Davis to the Governor's Commission on the Status of Women. The club sponsored a blood drawing each year, usually during February.
In partnership with the Burlington Free Press and WOKO, we've presented a
financially successful Job Expo each winter since 1996.
Members have attended State Conventions, Fall Get-Togethers, District Meetings, Northeast Regional Conferences, National Conventions, National Leadership/Action Meetings and Legislative Conferences in Washington. We have had many members serve on the state Board in many capacities.
Many members completed the Individual Development Program, going on to become leaders of BPW and their communities.
Burlington won the Lip Synch contest at State Convention three years in a row.
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In early 1949, eleven women representing various businesses and professions met to consider
the forming of a BPW club. State President Sadia Parker and State Vice
President Esther Urie met with these women to explain he aims and objectives
of the Federation. The club received its chart, with 14 members, form
Sadia Parker, state President, on May 16, 1949. Mrs. Margaret Hunt was
elected the first club President.
In 1950, our young and ambitious club hosted the State Convention and
sent our first delegate to Los Angeles National Convention in July of 1950.
In1954 we undertook the city wide Cancer Fund Crusade, organizing the drive and
enlisting over 800 people. The quota was $5,400 and we raised $7,200, the
largest amount raised by any previous group.
We have contributed to the Sara Holbrook Center Building Fund and the
YWCA Building Fund. We sponsored two girls to Girls State (the American Legion
Auxiliary project) for several years, until we replace it with our own project -
a Certificate of Commendation and a $25 award to a Senior Girl in the two high
schools, the recipient to be selected by faculty member. In 1953 we established
a Delegates Fund, for a delegates to National and State Conventions
The club received the National Safety Council's Carol Lane Award for
their efforts in Traffic Safety. Under the leadership of Sally Soule, a bill was introduced in
the 1955 Vermont Legislature in an effort to curb the drinking driver. After
three sessions of legislature and with the help of all other BPW clubs in the
State, the bill was passed, known as the Implied Consent Law.
We received a Certificate of Commendation from the Vermont Civil Defense
for our efforts in establishing a Civil Defense organization in Burlington and
organizing a Women's Civil Defense Council. Berl Morrill went onto be State Chairman of the Women's Civil Defense
Council.
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