A house RESOLUTION

TO HONOR THE MEMBERS OF THE EMPOWERHER CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN BUSINESS WOMeN'S ASSOCIATION IN ORANGEBURG, UPON THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CHAPTER, AND TO WELCOME ALL ABWA MEMBERS TO THE STATE HOUSE FOR THE FIRST ANNUAL "AMERICAN BUSINESS WOMeN'S ASSOCIATION DAY" AT THE STATE HOUSE ON MARCH 16, 2023.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to welcome the members of the Orangeburg chapter of the American Business Women's Association (ABWA) to the State House on March 16, 2023, for the Inaugural ABWA Day at the State House and the 2023 Founders' Day Luncheon presented by the chapter; and

Whereas, on September 22, 1949, Shirley Cupp, Irma Beisel, Frances Stuckey, and Mr. Hilary Bufton, Jr., met in a coffee shop in downtown Kansas City to incorporate the American Business Women's Association at a time when it was considered socially unacceptable for women to pursue a full-time career, have a girls' night out, or even join an association. Since then, ABWA has broken barriers for women and on behalf of women. ABWA hosts more than five thousand business and networking meetings each year in hundreds of cities across the nation; and

Whereas, now a nationally recognized American holiday, the American Business Women's Day (ABW Day) occurs annually on September 22. This holiday was recognized in 1983 and 1986 by Congressional resolution and a proclamation issued by President Ronald Reagan to commemorate the important legacy and contributions of all working women in the workforce; and

Whereas, the goal of ABWA, the leading career-building organization for women, is to change women's lives, one woman at a time, by bringing together businesswomen of diverse occupations and providing opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support, and national recognition; and

Whereas, ABWA is committed to helping women whether they are students or starting a new business or looking to advance their careers. Empowering women through educational scholarships, members give back by funding scholarships through the Stephen Bufton Memorial Educational Fund (SBMEF). Since 1953, the educational fund has awarded more than seventeen million dollars in scholarships to over seventeen thousand women; and

Whereas, the American Business Women's Association is committed to creating accessible, affordable, and innovative learning opportunities that will prepare women to respond to the challenges or opportunities experienced at any given moment in their careers. We welcome learners of all ages, educational backgrounds, and career paths who are motivated to chart their learning journey. In 1987, the American Business Women's Foundation was established to enlighten, empower, and equip women to achieve parity with an emphasis on opportunity and pay equity in the workplace; and

Whereas, Rachelle Jamerson-Holmes founded the EmpowerHer Chapter of ABWA in Orangeburg on March 29, 2018, during Women's History month with over one hundred charter members, and the ABWA national organization granted the chapter a charter on May 20 of that year. EmpowerHer offers opportunities for women to benefit from personal and professional-development speakers and power-networking social events. On May 20, 2023, the chapter will host its 5th Anniversary Diamonds & Pearls Brilliance Awards Celebration and will present the chapter's Woman of the Year, Top Ten Business Women, and Protégé and will recognize members for their contributions to the work force, EmpowerHer Chapter, and ABWA National Organization; and

Whereas, the EmpowerHer ABWA Chapter is recognized by the ABWA national organization for earning the Level 1 Best Practice in League Management for four consecutive years and has garnered the prestigious Brilliance Unleashed Award for being one of the Top Ten chapters in ABWA; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to welcome the dynamic women of ABWA to their day at the State House and to hear of their continued achievements. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, honor the members of the EmpowerHer Chapter of the American Business Women's Association in Orangeburg, upon the fifth anniversary of the chapter, and welcome all ABWA Members to the State House for the First Annual "American Business Women's Association Day" (ABWA Day) at the State House on March 16, 2023.

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