Quincy chapter of ABWA celebrates 60th anniversary

QUINCY — The Quincy charter chapter of the American Business Women’s Association celebrated its 60th anniversary at its regular meeting at The Atrium on Nov. 3. The Quincy charter chapter was chartered on Nov. 4, 1962.

Attendees enjoyed a slideshow of events during the past 60 years as well as picture albums and news clippings documenting the chapter’s history. Speaker Kathy McBride, ABWA District III vice-president, from Des Moines, Iowa commended the Quincy Chapter for achieving this milestone and for receiving best practice awards every year since 2010. McBride said few chapters in the United States have met these achievements.

Past District III vice president Kathy Schooley also was in attendance, as well as other national attendees via Zoom. Notes of congratulations were read from other national members who could not attend.

The two newest members of the Quincy chapter, Bailee Duesterhaus and Ann Kamphaus, along with 30-plus year members Laura Peterson and Betty Gebhardt, were recognized by president Jillian Starman. A third of the chapter membership has been with ABWA for more than 5 years.

The ABWA was founded on Sept. 22, 1949, to provide professional women with networking support, recognition and training to support and empower them to reach their career goals.

The mission of ABWA is to bring together business women of diverse occupations and provide opportunities to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support and national recognition.

The Quincy chapter meets at 5:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month. Networking is followed by dinner and a professional development program. For more information on meetings or events, visit the ABWA Quincy Facebook page.