International Federation of Business & Professional Women

Founded by Dr. Lena Madesin Phillips in 1930, BPW International has become one of the most influential international networks of business and professional women with affiliates in over 100 countries in five continents. BPWI has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and participatory status with the Council of Europe. Its members include influential women leaders, entrepreneurs, business owners, executives, professionals and young career women. 
The root of BPW’s advocacy is embedded in the work with the United Nations. BPW lobbied for the formation of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in support of many women’s issues. BPW was awarded a Peace Messenger Certificate from UN Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar in 1987.. Esther Hymer, BPW representative at the UN, was named as one of three women playing a significant role in the work of the UN Commission by Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 1997. Today, BPW continues its representation at U.N. Headquarters in New York, Vienna, Geneva and UN regional offices