FEDERATED WOMEN’S CLUB 21 YEARS OLD

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28734, 4 November 1958, Page 2

FEDERATED WOMEN’S CLUB 21 YEARS OLD

In 21 years the Christchurch Federated Business and Professional Women’s Club has grown from a small group guided at first by the Y.W.C.A., to an important unit in a vast international federation of women. Without fanfare of trumpets but letting the facts tell the story, the club has now published its fine record of two decades in a booklet entitled, “An Historical Note.” It has been compiled by the president, Miss Heatiier Melville.

The club’s history shows how members have carried out the aims of its constitution in times of war and peace; how they have undertaken a responsibility to the community by taking an active interest in cuijrent affairs at the civic, national and international level; how they have worked as business and professional women, for equality, and it indicates their role in fostering a better understanding among women.

With a membership of 62, which has grown from an initial roll of 46, the club meets fortnightly for tea, followed by business sessions and usually a speaker discussing a topic within a theme set down by the international federation. The first international theme, set in 1944, was “The role of women in the post-war world.” Each succeeding year it has taken some wide subject, including ‘ ‘The world women want” (1945), “Facing the nuclear age” (1956‘ to the present theme of “Emerging women and our widespread family.” Founded At Y.W.C.A. The club was founded on November 8, at a meeting called by the Christchurch Y.W.C.A. and was constituted the “Round Table Chib for Business and Professional 'Women.” The first part of the name was soon dropped and the club became known as the “Business and Professional Women’s Club of the Y.W.C.A.” The first years were guided by the Y.W.CJK. and the association’s officers played an important part in club activities. In return club members worked for the Y.W.C.A. and helped to sponsor many of the association’s projects. Self-Supporting “As the club advanced in years so did its members, and so came the ability to manage our own affairs,” says the club’s anniversary publication. “Gradually the administration of the club was less and less in the hands of the Y. It became self-supporting, with a separate entity and complete autonomy. “Affiliation v£th the Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs in New Zealand and later with the International Federation of Business and Professional Women in 1939, broadened out interests and contributed to our growth. Our present title was adopted in 1946.

“Three yeays ago the club discontinued its corporate membership with the Y.W.C.A. Nevertheless, a sense of responsibility to the founder association remains and the club has always been ready to lend a helping hand when needed.*’ International Night

“A feature of our programme each year is our participation in a world-wide observance among federated business and professional women’s clubs when our members and specially invited guests attend a candlelight ceremony.

“The International Night is a yearly tribute to the International Federation ot Business and Professional' Women—one of the world’s largest organisations.

‘‘During this observance it is now our tradition to restate our purposes through a symbolic candlelight ceremony. In so doing, we are united in mind and heart with more than 330,000 women in 26 countries, including all races and colours and speaking different languages These women are at one with as in fellowship and understanding. Symbolic

“The International Federation of Business and Professional Women was founded in 1930 It was not until 1941 that the founder-president of the International federation, the late Dr. Lena Madesin Phillips, was inspired to plan this ceremony to pay tribute to fellow-members living in occupied and war-torn countries. Today the ceremony is a symbol of a continuing and dynamic force for service by women for* women everywhere on earth.

“It is a stirring thought that from our smallest federation in Belgium wjith only 120 members to our largest in the United States of America with more than 3300 clubs, eaofh night in International Week (in February each year) in all Corners of the earth some of our fellow-members gather for a similar ceremony linking their thoughts with ours.. Uniting Link “What is the link which unites all these women of different continents, with entirely different cultural outlooks in many cases’ This link is provided by our aims and objects, which, while it varies a little from country to country, at the international level reads: “To promote the interests of business and professional women and to secure combined action by them. “To w*ork for high business and professional standards of service. “To promote friendly relations and understanding among the business and professional women of all countries. “To make available, and ensure the use of, the specialised knowledge and economic and technical skills of business and professional women in the promotion and support of the programmes and activities of the United Nations and other world governmental organisations. “The international federation has broadened our horizons, increased our rights, our skills and opportunities, and expanded our service to one another and to humanity. It has given us consultative status to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, and has worked with the Commission on the Status of Women and the Commission on Human Rights to advance the position of women. Through

these, we, as a group, may express our views and work directly to secure recognition of the principle of full equality for women, to achieve the welfare of mankind, and to give reality to the dream of all peoples—world peace. Consultative Status “The International Federation also has consultative status with U.N.E.S.C.O. to expand educational opportunities, and with the board ot U.N.I.C.E.F. to improve conditions for mothers and children, especially in underdevelop-

ed areas. Through W.H.O. the federation has worked for the professional status of nurses; and through the F.A.O. to increase the food supply in many areas. It is the only women’s organisation which is an official observer to the Committee on Salaried Employees and Professional Workers of the 1.L.0. in Geneva, through which it works for the principles of equal pay for equal work, better opportunities for vocational guidance and training, and improvement of employment conditions for business and professional women in all countries.

“This is part of our heritage from the International federation. Each of us is heir to its opportunities, its accomplishments and responsibilities. Our members are enriched through fellowship, and our unfinished tasks should be more quickly completed with each other’s help,” says the anniversary booklet.