CANFIELD — Even with a dwindling membership, the Mill Creek chapter of the American Business Women’s Association continues its mission to offer a place for business women to come together, network, share ideas and support local students with scholarships.
The local chapter turns 60 this year as officers look back at the chapter’s long journey since its founding.
The national organization was founded in 1949 by a man named Hilary Bufton Jr., who met with Shirley Cupp, Irma Beisel, and Frances Stuckey on Sept. 22 of that year. They met in a Kansas City coffee shop and incorporated the association at a time when it was considered socially unacceptable for women to pursue a full time career, or even have a girls’ night out. Those days followed World War II when women were encouraged to work as their patriotic duty, but after the war, were encouraged to go back home to their families.
The ABWA was ahead of its time and helped pave the way for women to pursue careers and even own a business. The ABWA quickly spread across the nation with chapters opening in major cities.
Judy Codespote of Canfield, president of the local chapter, said there were 11 chapters in those early days, between Mahoning and Trumbull counties.
Codespote said the Mill Creek Chapter of ABWA was formed by Martha Neumann, owner of a cleaner business; Fern Magyar from Canfield; Mary Lou Gartland from Boardman; and Isabel Simko, who owned Thompson Supply Co. in Youngstown. They met in 1962 and the new chapter’s charter was drawn up. From there, the chapter continued to grow.
“In 1988 we had roughly 120 members,” said Mill Creek chapter vice president Shirley Pappagallo of Austintown. “Those members came from all walks of life, from women involved in the business industry, to women who owned their own business.”
For more on this story, read tomorrow’s Vindicator newspaper.
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