- - BPW International - History Book Vol.I 1961-1963 Reviewing the Aims

The 21st Board Meeting was held in breathtaking nearness to the Victoria Falls, Southern Rhodesia, May 21-27, 1961. In a sense it was a coming of age. Mrs. Paula van Gorp, the Honorary Treasurer, made the introductions at a general briefing session the first evening. Her hope that members would "get as mixed up as we can" was well understood, not to bear any reference to the sessions to come, but indicated the happy exchange of welcomes as members arrived for the first time at an International Federation Meeting on African soil. Miss Elisabeth Feller, President, had realised it would be an appropriate moment to take an inward look and discuss the implications of a Motion about which the South African Federation had given Notice at the Paris Congress, namely, that as events had changed so rapidly since the beginning of the Federation, "it might be advantageous to bring our aims and objects into line with current international developments."

Immediately following the Paris Congress, an ad hoc Committee had been set up composed of two former International Presidents, Miss Sally Butler (U.S.A), Miss Margaret Hyndman (Canada), and Mrs. Agda Rössel (Sweden), who had been Deputy President throughout the illness of Dame Caroline Haslett. They had invited the views of National Federations and given them much thought.

Of these three, Miss Hyndman was present. She outlined the reasons for taking a second look in the light of changing conditions since the Federation was first formulated in 1930. During that period of economic depression there was a necessity to fight for and maintain the position achieved by Business and Professional Women, and to fight for even greater equality. The purpose of the present discussion was to get a perspective and think in terms of what lay ahead. It was necessary to know and assess the Federation's ability, particularly, to take responsibility. "We might find," she said, "that there was not too much wrong with the aims as expressed in the Constitution, but that the shortcomings lay within ourselves." The aims were then taken one by one by a Panel.

1st Aim: to promote the interests of business and professional women and to secure combined action by them.

Mrs. Hardy, President of U.S. Federation, said this required an analysis of what was meant by "interests." There was a challenge to every Federation in this world view. She urged that members who had achieved success should help spread their expert knowledge to others.

Mrs. Dykes, President of the South African Federation, said it was essential to have training in management and administration, and the Federation should be able to hold Seminars and invite experts to guide thinking on these lines. The Chairman saw two points arising here: the human disinclination to carry working qualifications into Club life, and the willingness of women to support other women.

3rd Aim: to promote friendly relations and understanding among Business and Professional Women of all Countries.

Mrs. Van Gorp, Honorary Treasurer of the International, said that most Clubs showed interest through the annual International themes. Understanding required knowledge which depended upon communication. A knowledge of languages was a first requisite of an organisation of this kind.

4th Aim: to make available and ensure the use of the specialised knowledge of Business and Professional Women in the promotion and support of the programmes and activities of the United Nations and other world governmental organisations.

Miss Tomlinson, First Vice-President of the International, passed from the missionary spirit of 1930-47 to the need to establish the status of Business and Professional Women, and to gaining a standing as a consultative organ of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, a position in the Councils of the world, which members of the early days had won.

Miss Hyndman summed up the discussions. She said the challenge was "to study and learn, better ourselves in our own business and professions and to take our place as leaders in our clubs, our governments, and our countries. Communication is essential between the individual member and the elected International Officers so that leaders will have more to give, and in this way, can achieve the aims and take the responsibilities which are our heritage." It seemed there was not much wrong with the original aims, and under them, members could go on with a forward-looking confidence.

The Opening Ceremony of the Board Meeting was on the terrace of the Victoria Falls Hotel. The Governor of Southern Rhodesia, the Hon. Sir Humphrey Gibbs, O.B.E., and Lady Gibbs were welcomed by Miss Feller and by Mrs. Withpetersen, President of the Rhodesia and Nyasaland Federation.

The Governor expressed his pleasure at welcoming visitors from beyond the borders of Africa. He said that the people in that part of the world had been forced to progress in one leap from living in completely undeveloped countries to modern states with all their complicated and expensive requirements, whereas most of the older countries of the world had developed more slowly over time. "We really don't know much about each other, and this is a tragedy, because I expect that most men and women all over the world share pretty much the same faults and virtues, and, for this reason, I wholeheartedly support organisations such as yours which can do a lot to promote better understanding."

Three African guests who shared with Miss Tomlinson the distinction of having been government nominated participants at the U.N. Seminar, "On Participation of Women in Public Life," held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Dec. 12-23, 1960, were introduced. They were: Mrs. Theodora Phillipa Obafummilayo Manuwa, O.B.E., of Lagos, Nigeria; Mrs. Jemima Thoiya Gecaga, first woman member of the Legislative Council of Kenya; and Mrs. Bernice T. Mohapeloa, B.E.M., of Basutoland. All were invited to speak during the course of the Meeting, and so enlarged the knowledge of members on the problems of African women.

During the discussion of reports under the heading United Nations, it was evident that some Federations were very active in their planned projects. Where there were difficulties due to distances, Miss Hyndman suggested correspondence courses might be worked out. The ad hoc Committee on the Emigration of Refugees and the Refugee Relief Fund became fused into one to be known as the "Rehabilitation and Refugee Relief Committee," its composition to be decided by the Executive Committee.

The Federation had been seeking Consultative Status with I.L.O., Miss Tomlinson said in answer to a question, but it had not yet come. The structure did not provide for it at this time. It had taken fifteen years of persistence to be included on the Special List. As a result of the formation of a B.P.W. Club in Buenos Aires, Miss Saira Arias had represented the Federation at an I.L.O. meeting there in April 1961.

The Report of the Legislation Committee, given by Mrs. Dykes, underlined some anomalies in Law affecting women. There was much to be done for the group of emergent African women going through the transitional period from tribal native law and custom into the civil law of the country. A point was made of recording the Report as accepted rather than adopted.

Membership was increasing, reported Miss Randall. Two new Associate Clubs, Dacca and Buenos Aires, had been admitted. Dublin was in process of forming. Full Federation Status looked likely very soon for South West Africa. An interesting form of recruiting was being used by the Berlin Club. It had a group of young members, of about 21 years of age, who sometimes had discussions and sometimes danced. On occasion, they are specially invited to meetings of importance in the Senior Group. Later, they begin to attend regularly and ask for full membership.

Great interest in nongovernmental organisations had been shown by women attending the U.N. Seminar at Addis Ababa (December 1960), reported Miss Tomlinson, who had herself attended as the U.K. Government's delegate, and at which Dr. Denti de Pirajno (Italy) had represented the Federation. They had been asked many questions about such women's organisations. During the Seminar, an unexpected revolt flared up in the city, which meant carrying on their discussions under dangerous and distracting circumstances.

Among the resolutions passed at Victoria Falls were eight from the Federation's United Nations Committee urging or supporting action by the U.N. on matters such as vocational guidance opportunities, seminars and advisory services, expansion of employment opportunities, and tax legislation. A resolution by South Africa's Federation relating to the Preamble to Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was discussed very fully, but finally lost.

The Workshops, organised by Mrs. Nora Price, carrying a step further the discussion on the Aims begun by the Panel earlier in the Proceedings, brought out some pointers that members at home might well find helpful in the running of their national Federations and at Club level. It was suggested that overemphasis on selectivity was often a deterrent to younger members who needed opportunities to show leadership which led naturally to the suggestion of limited terms of office. Leadership was defined as, among other things, the ability to command respect, to develop leadership in others, and to delegate responsibility. It was reiterated that members should support women seeking posts on public boards and local councils particularly, nor were children to be exempted from accepting responsibility in the home. In the promotion of friendly relations, a yearly study of a country as a project for Clubs and the exchange of literature between Federations was recommended. After the soul-searching which had been going on, it was found that the collective aims and objectives of the International "were still good." The need was to become more aware of them and to implement them. The compilation of a booklet bringing together all the resolutions which had been passed since the inception of the International showed that they reflected change, yet the fundamental principles had remained unchanged. It was to be rendered into French by the Head Translator at UNESCO. Once again the International's affiliation with the Liaison Committee of Women's Organisations came under fire. There was some feeling that much of the processes involved, such as getting the names of organisations on specific resolutions, was time-consuming and unnecessary, since the organisations themselves were in consultative status. It was resolved to ask the Executive Committee to consider the position after consultation with the Federation's representatives on the three Liaison Committees: London, Geneva, and New York. The interest shown by African women in the U.N. Seminar on "The Participation of Women in Public Life" at Addis Ababa, already referred to, resulted in a resolution that member Federations should organise such seminars and take every opportunity to meet women of all races. The great practical value of the work done by the Status of Women Commission was acknowledged in a resolution calling for its membership to be increased.

The entertainment put on by Mr. Hugh Tracey, Director of the International Library of African Music at Johannesburg, included a talk on some thirty years he had spent visiting and recording the music of 500 African tribes. Three young African musicians, from the National Museum of Northern Rhodesia played their instruments: calabashes, each with a hole covered with the web of the White Paper Spider, and drums hollowed out from trees and covered with the skin of a type of small antelope. The local Committee presented two documentary films of great interest loaned by the Rhodes-Livingstone Museum with a commentary. One was An Aboriginal Creation Story produced at the University of Adelaide, Australia, and the other, The Hunters, depicted the quest for food by African bushmen.

Three afternoons had been left for excursions by boat up the Zambesi River, flying over Victoria Falls and deep into the wildlife area in Dawn and Sunset Patrols, and at night, a walk or drive to see the lunar rainbow.

The final social event was the Banquet in the Victoria Falls Hotel. The tables were strewn with flowers. Members of the Ndola Club had arranged a pyramid of handmade flags of the member Federations with a lighted candle by each one. Menu cards, individually hand painted by members of the Livingstone Club and some of their husbands, listed the special Rhodesian dishes to be accompanied by South African wines.

Mrs. Margaret Brett, Mayor of Bulawayo and founder President of the Bulawayo Club, toasted the International Federation. She said "it is necessary to project our thinking into the next thirty years as those of thirty years ago have helped us to reach this day." Miss Ruth Tomlinson responded for the Federation. Miss Feller, International President, proposed the toast to the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, saying she felt the fascination of contrast between her country, Switzerland, and "this truly beautiful part of Africa."

The Hon. J. C. Graylin, Federal Minister of Agriculture, referring to "this vast emptiness - this sea of trees stretching from horizon to horizon - the problems of this enormous area are not for anyone race or party or group to solve." The Kariba Dam was a great achievement. He pleaded for the world's confidence in their abilities.

This meeting on the soil of a Continent unfamiliar to so many of the members attending brought, perhaps, the most widening of horizons yet experienced by them. The Federation's objectives appeared at once more vital and more complicated to achieve.

"Please accept and convey to all participants my heartfelt thanks, sincere good wishes for a successful Congress and Greetings to all." Olav R.

This was His Majesty King Olav's reply to the greetings and thanks for his Patronage sent by the Ninth Congress of the Federation, which met at Oslo, July 25-31, 1962. It was the second time Norway had been the hostess country. The world had passed through shattering experiences since the Board Meeting in Trondheim in 1939. It was still agonising over many problems that were not to be easily solved, but for a brief spell, the hearts of B.P.W. members could be warmed with pleasure by the traditional friendliness of their Norwegian counterparts. It was, too, the first time the International Federation had received such a message from a king. It not only brought a touch of glamour but also was like receiving a testimonial bearing a sovereign seal affirming the catholicity of the Federation's objectives - this women's organisation which sought to serve directly or indirectly the good of both men and women. The attendance appears to have been the highest yet. Twenty-four countries had sent Delegates and Observers, and two Associated Clubs, Nairobi, Kenya and Lagos Centre, Nigeria, were represented.

The Opening, presided over by Miss Elisabeth Feller, was heralded with music of Norwegian composers played by the pianist, Mr. Ivar Johnsen. The President of the Norwegian Federation, Mrs. Thordis Saxlund, welcomed everybody. The guest Speaker, Mrs. Aase Bjerkholt, Minister of Family and Consumer Affairs, said it was necessary for women to feel morally responsible for helping those in less developed areas. An open air Folklore entertainment given that evening by the Oslo Club at Norsk Folkemuseum, and folk dances under the leadership of Mr. Kjell Sandbaek, and a demonstration by Mr. Sevag on ancient musical instruments with an unrehearsed accompaniment by birds singing in the trees, made members feel happily refreshed after their travels.

Miss Feller quickly brought members' minds back to the business of the Congress next morning. She said it was time to think about the roads over the "bridges" which the Paris Congress had set out to build. She would be happy, she said, if the Federation had one field worker at its disposal, but it had not the funds to follow the signposts that showed the direction of places which needed its support.

Membership figures are based on the number of subscriptions paid by the end of the financial year, and are therefore liable to a certain fluctuation which corrects itself. At the time of the Oslo Congress, there were 270,762 members, excluding those in Associate Clubs, but there was a larger spread over the world than in 1959. The Membership Development Committee recommended a survey be made of the interests of young women so that programmes could be compiled that would appeal to them. The Chairman, Miss Laura Lorraine (U.S.A.), in her report, had pressed the belief that nothing could take the place of personal contact, interest and concern, real hospitality, and sustained friendliness, in building up membership. "This was everyone's job," was her plea.

When Judge Hughes reported on the work of the Federation's United Nations Committee, she stressed its importance as the means through which the voice of business and professional women could be heard throughout the world. The Federation had, for some time, held Consultative Status with E.C.O.S.O.C Status of Women Commission, Human Rights Commission, U.N.E.S.C.O., and I.L.O. (Special List). Since the last Congress, six communications had been sent to the Secretary General, and the Federation's opinion sought on two matters: manifestations of anti-Semitism and other forms of intolerance, and their global study regarding occupations relating to engineering, architecture, and law. The Federation had been represented at all United Nations Agencies, to which it was accredited, as well as at meetings of W.H.O. It had also been represented at Conferences sponsored by the Status of Women Commission at Addis Ababa, Bucharest, and Tokyo.

Passing to the Committee's second function, Judge Hughes mentioned three projects of particular interest carried out by National Federations: Refugee Programmes, Seminars on the Participation of Women in Public Life, and Vocational Guidance. It is not, perhaps, always fully understood how the work of this Committee has a two-way significance. As Judge Hughes said, "the United Nations need the co-operation of the nongovernmental organisations, not only for advice, but to carry out their recommendations." In the other direction, the member organisations, such as the International Federation, have a channel for the expression of their point of view backed up by data acquired through local national study.

It is in such ways that the Subcommittees of this very hard working main Committee play such a valuable role. Indirectly, the emphasis in training for qualified personnel, pointed out by Dr. Schreiner-Bienert in regard to W.H.O., is of interest to business and professional women through other Agencies as well.

The United Nations programme was the subject of the Workshops at this Congress. The Speaker was Mme. S. Grinberg- Vinaver, Chief of Section, U.N. Commission on the Status of Women, who brought with her a message of good wishes from the Secretary General. The Commission had been in existence for sixteen years, yet is less autonomous than the Federation, she said, for it has to report to higher bodies composed mostly of men, whereas the Federation was its own master. Lack of political rights gave very little chance for women to improve their conditions in other fields or to take part themselves in government and the economic life of their countries, nor to train new generations to do so.

(1) Miss Katherine Peden (U.S.A.) on Advisory Services. The International Federation had strongly endorsed the organisation of U.N. Seminars under this heading in 1956, 1958, 1959, and 1961. The Status of Women had been commended for requesting U.N. development plans and assistance to governments in organising national and local seminars. Citing her own Federation, Miss Peden said that the third in a series of economic seminars had been held in conjunction with their recent National Convention in Los Angeles

(2) Vocational Guidance and Career Advancement. Miss Nazla Dane referred to an idea initiated thirteen years ago by the Toronto Club which had operated under the title, Occupational Information Bureau. This had now been adopted as a National project with the title changed to Career Previews. By holding "clinics," business and professional women already established in their careers had made themselves available for talks about their jobs. In response to a questionnaire circulated nationally, it had been found that some clubs were unwilling to undertake the project, and sometimes school authorities discouraged the idea. But where the educational authorities and the Clubs cooperated, enthusiasm had run high.

(3) Access to Education. Mme. de Saint-Blanquat spoke of the splendid teamwork that had resulted in the Federation being awarded two U.N.E.S.C.O. Study Tour Grants: one, to bring a Japanese woman across the United States and to several countries in Europe; the other, to enable an African woman to go to Australia. Their programmes had convinced U.N.E.S.C.O. that these were good investments in the training of women as leaders in adult education.

(4) Assistance to Women in Developing Countries. Mrs. Ayo Manuwa (Nigeria) said that in countries where generations of people had lived without opportunities, their greatest need was education from nursery age through adulthood, including vocational and technical training. Market women and others needed not only to be taught to read and write but to care for their families and homes, for which money and instructors were needed. Conditions and needs were best understood by attending Seminars held in the less developed areas of the world. What women had to work for is to make it possible for women in all countries to derive benefit from all programme actions. Members were urged to submit names of qualified women to the member governments (in the U.N.) who could apply for the United Nations Fellowships now available through the Advisory Services programme which had recently been voted an increased oppropriation (subject to approval of the General Assembly).

When the 16th Session of the Status of Women Commission had met, Miss Ruth Tomlinson (leader), was accompanied by three other members: Dr. Sofia Corradi (Italy), Miss Winifred Wilson (Rhodesia and Nyasaland), and Mrs. Virginia Beirnes (Canada). A good deal of time had been given to the training of young people, and once again Miss Tomlinson pressed home the importance of replying to questionnaires.

A workshop, divided into twenty-two groups, pursued the question of membership. This should include all women who worked (providing the persons are acceptable to the local Club) and who accept the aims and objectives of the Federation. It should be known why members come and why they go. Experience pointed to fellowship being the chief factor in the former, but to retain them, the programme had "to give them experience broader than their ordinary lives." First steps could present some difficulties, such as occurred in Japan. Miss Kageyama said the first club had been formed in Tokyo about ten years ago by some twenty professional women of high standard and there was a certain reluctance to take in business women. When Miss Randall had visited Japan, she had pointed out that there were now business women in highly responsible positions also, and the Federation was for both: its objectives could be furthered by having a cross section of women who work. For the Fine Arts Committee, Mrs. Astrid Andren reported several exhibitions arranged by National Federations. An Antwerp member, Mrs. Jacqueline Fontyn, had been awarded first prize in an international competition for women composers in Mannheim for her trio for piano.

It becomes obvious as the story of the International Federation unfolds through its printed Proceedings of Board Meetings and Congresses that it had itself left the first steps and was climbing towards effective growth and maturity. The machinery was in gear and running with an easier rhythm. There were, nonetheless, a number of revisions made to the Constitution, including the deletion of the International Theme Committee and the Programme Coordination Committee. The Membership Booklet had been printed in English, French, Spanish, Swedish, and Japanese, the French and Japanese versions having been made by members of these Federations.

The oft debated question of representation on the Liaison Committee of Women's Organisations was settled by a decision to withdraw from it. The reason was that, as the Federation had Consultative Status of its own, it could act more freely than as a member of this Committee.

There were sixteen resolutions, including the preparation of a history of the International, reaffirming support for the United Nations and urging the new nations of Asia and Africa to apply for membership of the Status of Women Commission. There were resolutions on education, the holding of regional seminars, marriage age, consent and registration, and support for W.H.O. over Ritual Operations. Arising from the Summer Session 1962 of the Economic and Social Council, a resolution recommended National Federations to urge their governments' representatives to expand community development and programmes for the advancement of women in developing countries.

Help to refugees came up in a new context. Miss Hyndman had explored the possibility of helping to finance the education of girls in the new teacher-training and vocation-training centre at Ramallah, Jordan. U.N.W.R.A. and U.N.E.S.C.O. were working together on this. The training for boys was well under way, and the new venture was to adapt the programme to the needs of girls in the poverty-stricken refugee population from Lebanon, Syria, the Gaza Strip, and Jordan. U.N.W.R.A. was asking for funds in the form of scholarships of $500 (£180 sterling) for each student for one year. These children had only been two or three years old, it was pointed out, when their parents had become refugees and were entirely innocent of anything that had led to the Palestine refugee problem. It was decided to adopt the project.

On the financial side, Mrs. Van Gorp reported "not much difference" except in the voluntary Delegates Fund of 50 cents (3s. 6d) per member payable once only. This Fund had risen from $7,000 to $27,000, and seven grants had been paid from it to bring Delegates to this meeting at Oslo. Widening Horizons had increased its subscribers. Congress expressed its appreciation of Miss Lisa Sergio's work as Editor over a long period. The editorial chair was now being taken over by Miss Isabel MacMillan of Canada.

Lady Littlewood described the Trust Fund set up in memory of Dame Caroline Haslett, former International President. It was in two parts: the Electrical interests section and the General. Among the organisations in the General Section was the International and B.P.W. Clubs in Great Britain. Together they had contributed £650. An Award made in this second section was for a research assignment in a certain section of the home economics field over the past forty years.

A welcome break in the concentrated Agenda was provided by a Reception by Mayor Rolf Stranger in the magnificent new City Hall which had been built gradually and painstakingly over a period of ten years, conceived and adorned by the greatest artists of the time. Officers and Delegates were guests at a Reception by Den Kgl. Norske Regjering in the beautiful rooms at Parkveien 45, Oslo, where Mrs. Aase Bjerkholt, Minister of Family and Consumer Affairs, received them.

At the Banquet, there were many reminders of Scandinavian marine history-ships that had sailed the long coast of Norway - and other distinctive aspects of the country's life. This was held at Najaden, the Norsk Sjøfartsmuseums Restaurant at Bygdønes. Mrs. Thordis Saxlund, President of the Norwegian Federation, gave velkommen til bords (welcome to table), Miss Feller gave skäl to King Olav, and Takk for maten (Thanks for the meal) was given by Mrs. Märta Liljegren, International Vice-President. Miss Ruth Tomlinson was the principal Speaker after several Toasts. A huge bonfire lit up the scene as members reluctantly dispersed.

It was again time to elect new Officers. There was no opposition to Miss Helen G. Irwin of the U.S.A., who had been U.N. Fellowship Chairman for six years. She was accordingly declared President in succession to Miss Feller, who had completed her term of office.

Miss Irwin said the years ahead would not be easy ones: "We are living in a period when millions are seeking an end to the misery and others are seeking new patterns of life society." She concluded by recalling to life the words of Dr. Lena Madesin Phillips as appropriate in 1930 as in 1962, "In this hour of destiny, we must travel to greater things. We may even reach the stars."