The Business and Professional Women’s Club of Calgary (“BPW Calgary”) is a supportive network of professional women from diverse industries whose focus is developing the leadership potential of women in Calgary. Through education, awareness, advocacy and mentoring, we strive to improve the economic, employment, political and social conditions for all working women.
Our regular events, feature guest speakers who discuss topics of local and global importance. We offer a mentorship program at no cost for our members based on their needs and host quarterly professional development sessions exploring issues that matter most to women.
Our club is rich in history. Originally formed in 1927 by Nellie McClung, a member of the “Famous Five,” BPW Calgary became one of the six Charter Members of the Canadian Federation of Business and Professional Women’s clubs established in 1930. Today, we are proud of our 98 year old history of developing the leadership potential of women in Calgary, as well as across Canada, as a member of BPW Canada, and the world, as part of an International Federation of Clubs now established in more than 115 countries. Globally, we have General Consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council through BPW International. Scroll down to view our local presidents’ timeline from 1927 to 2027.
BPW Canada’s 5th Biennial National Convention was held in Calgary, Alberta in 1935.
BPW Canada’s 45th Biennial National Convention was held in Calgary, Alberta in 2016.
In 2022 during International Women’s Day, BPW Calgary granted honorary membership to Calgary’s First Female Mayor, Her Worship Jyoti Gondek (2021 to 2025).
BPW Calgary Local Presidents’ Timeline: 1927 to 2027
H. Steeves (1927-28); P. L. Pue (1928-30); F. Shannon (1930-320; J. Smith (1932-34); I. Fortune (1934); D. A. Jones (1934-36); M. A. Lewis (1936-38); E. Ekidd (1938-40); V. L. Jacques (1940-42); A. E. Hall (1942-43); E. M. Forbes (1943-46); M. V. Hoskin (1946-48); C. M. Kippen (1948-49); E. H. R. Clark (1949-51); B. J. Irvine (1951-53); E. M. Murray (1953-55); Una Maclean (1955-57); J. R. McIntyre (1957-59); E. B. McRobb (1959-61); Nora J. Rowe (1961-63); M. Robinson (1963-65); May Linton (1965-67); Ley Goodwin (1967); Ellen Krempien (1968-70); Jean Casselman (1970-1971); Irma Tattershaw (1971-72); Pauline Bish (1972-74); Elizabeth Burns (1974-1976); Betty Kennedy (1976-78); Ira MacInnis (1978-80); Judy A. Lloyd (1982-84); Sylvia M. Farrant (1984-86); Susan G. Abbott (1986-87); Jerilyn Wright (1987-1988); Laura Carberry (1988-90); Lynne Garrison Thomas (1990-91); Denise R. Dixey (1991-92); Lori carter Maclean (1992-93); Pamela York (1993-94); Patricia Tolppanen (1994-96); Shannon McEwing (1996-98); Romana Kaspar-Kraft (2000-02); Donna O’Grady (2002-03); Pamela York (2003-04); Lila Smith (2004-07); Barbara Francis (2007-09); Mary O’Sullivan (2009-10); Lia Robinson (2010-12); Jenny Gulamani-Abdulla (2012-14); Sophie Blais (2014-16); Nancy Stapley (2016-18); Sharon Irvine (2018-2020); Marlene Cameron (2020-21); Nimet Manji (2021-2023); Aneta Popa (2023-2025); Ximena Espana (2025-2027).