A small group of business and professional women from Asheville, Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh, Salisbury, and Winston-Salem met in Charlotte on June 24-25, 1919 to organize the NC Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs, prior to the formation of a national federation. The North Carolina Federation was the eighth southern state to federate. Miss Julia Alexander, an attorney from Charlotte, was elected the first state president. Miss Carrie McLean, also an attorney of Charlotte, was elected national vice president from North Carolina. Other officers and directors were elected, a constitution and bylaws were adopted, and annual dues were based upon a rate of ten cents per capita, no club to pay more than five dollars. Included among the resolutions adopted was one asking the next state legislature to ratify the Susan B. Anthony amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

During the war years, the Federation made great contributions to the war effort. BPW members gave many hours of volunteer service to the Red Cross and allied agencies. A further contribution was the promotion of the war finance program in their communities and by the individual purchase of bonds by club members.   more...