ABWA - Homestead Charter Chapter

     We represent ABWA, the American Business Women's Association. Our association, (one of the largest of its kind), is the educational and networking resource for professional women throughout the United States. Since it's founding in 1949 by Hillary A. Bufton, Jr. a Missouri businessman, ABWA has made commitment to American working women's helping thousands of women fulfill their career dreams and lead a better more satisfying life. Mr. Bufton recognized the positive impact working women could have, and the need for a supporting organization to help reach their educational and career goals.
    Through self-development programs, seminars, community involvement, and leadership training, ABWA provides opportunities for businesswomen to express their interest, achieve their goals, and receive well-earned recognition. Today, ABWA's national membership is over 35000 members strong and continues to grow. There are chapters in every state, with two in Miami-Dade Country.
    In the decades to come, the significance of ABWA's, mission will become even more important. As the business world changes and the businesswomen move on to even higher degrees of achievement, the American Business

Pauline has been a member of ABWA since 1989. She has chaired and served on all committees. Pauline is serving as the chapters Corresponding Secretary. Even though Pauline has faced many medical problems she I always ready to help when asked. She does not know the word NO she gives 100% of the time.
Pauline donates a lot to the community also. She has a very special in her life that she is very proud of her daughter. Her daughter Judy Waldman is the Vice Mayor of Homestead.

A dream precedes an objective. Perseverance and hard work precede the reality. And so it was with the formation of the Homestead Charter Chapter. Janice Kerley, formerly Janice Johnson of Homestead dreamed of forming an ABWA chapter in her hometown. She presented the idea to the Hurricane Chapter, Miami, of which she was President at the time. Then it became a true objective of the Hurricane Chapter.
    On August 4, 1977, the first tea was held at the home of Mrs. Howard Johnson, extending the hand of friendship to businesswomen in the Homestead area. The initial tea sparked the idea with a few women; then subsequent meetings, each time generating more enthusiasm. On August 8, 1977, in the Howard Johnson dining room, a new ABWA Chapter was formed and installed, the Homestead Charter Chapter. The sponsor was the Hurricane Chapter, Miami.
    The members on this project were: Janice Johnson Kerley, Dorothy Cissel, Susan Redding, Shirley Pomponi, Peggy Slifer and Nancy Spofford. The Homestead Charter Officers were: President, Evelyne Vannoorbeeck; Vice President, Irene Morrison; Recording Secretary, Willie Mae Peterson; Treasurer, Drucella Van Houten and Corresponding Secretary, Jo Foster.
    Sensing the need of a chapter in the Kendall area, the Homestead Chapter became the sponsor of the Miami Kachinas. The nucleus for this chapter was many of the group of members from the Hurricane Chapter that helped creates the Homestead Charter Chapter.
    In our charter year we earned the Banner Award. Having formed Miami Kachinas, our Ways & Means projects earned $600.00 for our scholarship recipient, Susan Lofton; we honored Captain Newton V. Cole, HAFB Chaplain as our Boss of the Year and chose our own Chapter President Evelyne Vannoorbeeck as our Woman of the Year.