BPW Australia

On the 27^th July 2011 on a crisp winter night BPW Melbourne became the 24^th BPW Club in Australia.

The event was attended by over 60 people and it was a joyous occasion of excitement and sisterhood. The Club has commenced with 21 members, who have committed to raising the status of women in Australia at local, national and international levels. These members walk in the shadow of Lena Madesin Phillips, the founder of BPW, who had a dream of women’s equality and she was certain that economic equality would bring about women’s equality in education, social, and political aspects of society.

Linda Brown, BPW Melbourne President (pictured (L) with Marilyn Forsythe) in her speech of welcome said, “It was a privilege to attend the Charter Event of the Melbourne CBD BPW Club, as the President of the Club, a Club that has been reintroduced after approximately 20 years. The potential of this Club was demonstrated by the diversity of attendees adding their support to a great evening. BPW International and Australian President and our Club Vice President joined the panel in discussing the benefits of membership with many potentially new members in the room. I was delighted with the support received from other clubs both in Victoria and nationally. A great start to what I am sure will be an exciting future”.

The forming of a club is a challenge and Marilyn Forsythe, National President acknowledged the commitment and vision of Danielle Hodgson and Freda Miriklis to start the new club. They worked tireless to recruit members in a very short time to enable the club to be chartered. Hazel Ingram, State Representative gave support and knowledge to the charter committee.