bpwsan

About Us

BPW ST. ANDREW

The St. Andrew Business and Professional Women’s Club was founded in 1974 by Attorney-at-law, Miss Mavis Watts. It is an affiliate club of Business and Professional Women International (BPW International). In carrying out its mandate, BPW St. Andrew spearheaded several projects and programmes, aimed at encouraging women and girls to be as well trained as possible, and to work for high standards of service.

BENEFITS INCLUDE

• Leadership Development
• Worldwide Friendships
• Publicity for Members’ Business and Profession
• Opportunities for Service
• Local, Regional and International Networking

BPW INTERNATIONAL

BPW International (The International Federation of Business and Professional Women, IFBPW) has affiliates in 80 countries in 5 continents, and is one of the most influential international networks of business and professional women. It is non-partisan and non-sectarian and its members include influential women leaders, entrepreneurs, business owners, executives, professionals and young career women.  BPW International promotes its objectives without distinction as to political beliefs, race, language or religion, and works for equal opportunities and status for women in the economic, civil and political life in all countries.

FORMATION

BPW International was formed in Geneva, Switzerland in 1930, on the initiative of Dr. Lena Madesin Phillips of the United States, who was elected as the first President and served until 1947. The founder member countries, besides the United States of America, were Austria, Canada, France, Great Britain and Italy.

UNITED NATIONS STATUS

 The root of BPW’s advocacy is embedded in the work with the United Nations. As a non-governmental organization (NGO), BPW International has Consultative Status, Category 1 with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It also has consultative status and special relations with:

• the International Labour Organization (ILO)
• the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
• the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
• the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
• the World Health Organization (WHO)
• the United Nations Children’s ‘Fund (UNICEF)
• the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
• the Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM)

BPW International has permanent representatives at the United Nations and its agencies in New York, Geneva, Paris, Vienna, and Seoul. These representatives keep BPW International Affiliates informed of UN activities and represent their views during meetings, particularly on issues relating to women’s status.

BPW International has played a major role in all four World Conferences for Women from 1975-1995 and in addition, has sponsored, co-sponsored, and participated in regional meetings which have included training seminars, workshops, conferences, and trade fairs.