Cardinals of Kentucky of the American Business Women’s Association

On September 22, 1949, Shirley Cupp, Irma Beisel, Frances Stuckey, and Hilary Bufton Jr. met in a coffee shop in downtown Kansas City to incorporate the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) 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. The founding members established the AWBA with the mission to bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support, and national recognition. Since then, more than 5,000 business and networking meetings are hosted each year in hundreds of cities across the nation.

To further their reach, the Cardinals of Kentucky sect of the ABWA established the Cardinals of Kentucky of the American Business Women’s Association Scholarship Fund. The fund assists deserving women who are pursuing their undergraduate degrees at WKU and are from Warren, Butler, Monroe, Barren, Edmonson, Simpson, Logan, Hart, Allen or Metcalfe Counties. Through this fund, the ABWA continues its legacy.