OUR HISTORY
PAST DISTRICT V VICE PRESIDENTS
These women are incredible and we thank them for being part of our history and for paving the way for US and future generations!
IT'S STILL ABOUT OUR CHOICES, OUR VISION, OUR VOICES!
On October 7, 1953, 105 women gathered in Pontiac, Michigan, to sign an uncomplicated, but sophisticated charter.
It reads: “The undersigned, women in business, having associated themselves together, under the name of Tipacon Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association for the purpose of elevating the social and business status of women in business, do by their signature pledge themselves to report to the employment committee of this chapter any position becoming open from time to time in the place of their employment and to otherwise serve in every way the best of interest of their sister members.”
We SALUTE those women for ESTABLISHING our chapter
and HONOR those charter members who remain constant in their SUPPORT of ABWA!
Alice Gay was instrumental in bringing ABWA to Pontiac. Alice had worked with many of the women who became Charter Members until she moved to Kansas. There she became President of the Wichita Chapter of ABWA. She soon let her Pontiac friends know what was stirring for working women.
Soon after, Nellie Voelker was sent to Michigan by National Headquarters to establish first a Chapter in the Capital City and then onto Pontiac for the States second chapter formation.
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All the recruitment was held at the Waldron Hotel at 7 Perry Street, corner of Pike. At the time the chapter was formed, the influence of several Indian tribes, including Huron, Chippewa and Ottawa, remained foremost in the history of a City so named for the prominent Chief Pontiac.
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The new Chapter required a name which would reflect the strength of its Community and yet, give credence to the Indian folklore. A contest was devised for naming the chapter: Evelyn Cole, who reportedly had Indian ties, won the contest suggesting the word Pontiac be scrambled to spell Tipacon. The name holds favor of it’s members, then and now!​​
TESTIMONIALS
"The Tipacon Charter Chapter of American Business Women's Association (ABWA) is the longest standing chapter in the State of Michigan. Their 65 years of dedication to the organization serves as a great example to other chapters. The members have consistently offered a professional meeting with interesting speakers, and they invest in the education and professional development of their members. Congratulations to Tipacon, and here's to 65 more years!"
MARCIA GREEN I 2017 - 2018 DISTRICT V VICE PRESIDENT
"Congratulations to the Tipacon Charter Chapter of ABWA on your 65th anniversary! The Eastern Michigan Council (EMC) board and members are proud to have Tipacon as one of our chapters. Since its chartering in 1953, the members of Tipacon have had an active presence in the Pontiac and Auburn Hills area. Fundraisers, such as working a booth at the Pontiac Silverdome for Lions home games, hosting a Derby Day, getting creative at a Painting with a Twist party and sponsoring the Equal Means Equal film screening, raised money the chapter used for member education and scholarships for other women attending college. Tipacon members have been active at the local as well as the national level. They have attended regional and national conferences, EMC meetings, fund raisers and educational events sponsored by other chapters. The Chapter values their members and recognizes them for personal and professional accomplishments by nominating them for Woman of the Year, Top Ten candidate, “Bosses” night or long-time ABWA member. Over the years, Tipacon had three of its members elected to serve as District V Vice President.Like all chapters, Tipacon had to grow and change as technology entered our world. They have developed a multi-year technology plan and are implementing automation, social media strategies and technology best practices into their chapter’s activities. They have shared this with the EMC members and encourage other chapters to do the same. Please join me as we wish all the Tipacon Charter Chapter members the best as they celebrate their 65th anniversary year."
JO ANN HUEBNER I 2017 - 2018 ABWA EMC CHAIR