American Business Women's Day (September 22) honors the accomplishments of businesswomen nationwide.

Of course, women have been involved in business since the first Colonists landed in America. For over 300 years, most Americans lived on family farms, and the work women performed there was essential to the success of those family businesses. By 1920, however, when, for the first time, most Americans lived in towns and cities and worked in factories or corporate institutions, "a woman's work" had been relegated to homemaking and childrearing.

That changed in 1941 when America was plunged into World War II. With so many working-age men drafted into the military, women were suddenly needed to fill jobs in factories, government institutions, and private businesses. Overnight, women who worked full-time jobs were not frowned upon but celebrated for their patriotism. Popular opinions reversed when the war ended in 1945 and women were expected to leave the workplace and return to homemaking. Some people, however, bucked that trend.

Kansas City businessman Hilary Bufton Jr. believed that American women, having gained tremendous business knowledge during the war, deserved equal business opportunities with men. In 1949, he sat down in a local coffee shop with Shirley Cupp, Irma Beisel, and Frances Stuckey to discuss founding an organization to support business women.

That meeting resulted in the founding of the American Business Women's Association on September 22, 1949--the mission of which 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."

That mission statement can also be applied to American Business Women's Day, celebrated annually on the anniversary of the association's founding. The holiday was officially recognized in 1983 and 1986 by Congressional resolution and a proclamation issued by President Ronald Reagan.
Today women are essential to the U.S. economy, with 68 million in the workforce and 7.7 million owning businesses.

Being a woman-owned business, The Shopper salutes working women everywhere. To read the stories of local businesswomen, as well as businessmen, we encourage you to read each issue in print and online at www.theshopper.com.