Wednesday, July 31, 2002
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Wednesday, July 31, 2002 |
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ABWA celebrates 20th anniversary The World's Fair was in Knoxville, Tennessee. Ground was broken on the construction of the Vietnam Memorial. The British sent in troops to recover the Falkland Islands from Argentina. PacMan and Rubik's Cube were everywhere and Ophelia Mustain was in Peachtree City, busy starting an organization that would benefit the gender better known as the multitasking wives and mothers, daughters and widows. The year was 1982. Like other female business owners, Ophelia's small venture, Creative Windows was in a small corner of the service sector, rather than a growth-oriented manufacturing industrial area. It was vision and purpose that drove Ophelia to search and recruit the necessary amount of members required to start a chapter. The National American Business Women's Association (ABWA) was a young 33 at that time. However, it wasn't the age of the organization that impressed her, rather finding there was support for her business and motivation from other women. At that time, more seemed to be known about women as workers than as businesspeople. During her quest for educational opportunities, networking and camaraderie, Ophelia founded the McIntosh Charter Chapter of the American Business Women's Association. As the first President, Ophelia successfully lead the small chapter to arrive at the growth we enjoy today. 20 years later,the chapter is over 60 members strong because of the relationships. Once a month, the group comes together for a business meeting and educational program and walks away with bonds strengthened. The group laughs and shares each other's triumphs and heartaches. Discussions center around the workplace challenges and gain deep concern with stories of the lost opportunities. As the group moves forward with the 21st century, it is constantly changing the rules and answering the questions about what skills are necessary, what is the best investment, how to work with different people and how will we juggle the kids and career demands. Janis Joplin said it best, "It's gonna be a long hard drag, but we'll make it". When the McIntosh Charter Chapter celebrated our 20th birthday in July, President Dianne Leimbach gave thanks to the many professional women who paved the path before her. These were the female entrepreneurs who felt more like outcasts in the male dominated business world. Today, ABWA is 53 years young. The mission 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. If this is an organization you've been searching for, contact Dianne Leimbach at (770) 599-3738 for Membership information or Hallene Minter, Incoming President (770) 460-9394.
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