Whittier, CA—September 23rd through September 27th three local women – Marjory Hopper (Whittier), Margaret Eriksson (Pasadena), Kenisha Northern (Hollywood), Lila Hines (Azusa), Anne Parlapiano (Sherman Oaks), Rosemary Enzer (Woodland Hills), Sandy Thompson (Burbank) Peggy Andrews (Westminister) and Rossann Andrews-Gueetzkow (Long Beach) journeyed to Las Vegas to participate in the North American/Caribbean Regional Conference and the Young BPW International Conference and in the formation of a new United States organization called Enterprising and Professional Women (EPW). Representatives from 19 countries in five continents participated in these meetings.

BPW International was established 80 years ago in Geneva, Switzerland by the BPW federations in Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Great Britain and the United States. The United States has not been represented internationally since the early 90s when BPW/USA withdrew from BPW International. In 2009 BPW/USA merged with the BPW Foundation and ceased to exist. To allow Business and Professional Women to participate in BPW International, the California Federation of Business and Professional Women, the Michigan Federation, LaGrange-Chicago BPW, El Paso BPW and Pacific Rim BPW met to form Enterprising and Professional Women of the USA (EPW). Bessie Hironimus (California) was elected President, Eileen Brennan (New York) President-Elect, Trish Knight (Michigan) Vice-President, Mary Lou Lowrey (LaGrange-Chicago) Secretary and Manjul Batra (California) Treasurer of EPW.

Through EPW’s association with BPW International, EPW will enjoy official consultative status in the United Nations and partnerships with other worldwide bodies that advocate for workingwomen. EPW is dedicated to developing the professional, business and leadership potential of women and their equal participation in power and decision-making roles. Membership in EPW is open to all women in businesses and the professionals. For more information see www.epw-usa.org. www.bpw-international.org or E-mail: epwusa@gmail.com.