The History of PWN
In February 1979, four Peninsula women, Phyllis Albert, Karen Belding, Agnes Braganza and Audrey Tyree got together to discuss the possibility of forming an organization of career women. They had decided to ask about ten others to join them for lunch, but they were the only ones who came!
“Wouldn’t it be good,” they said, “if women could get together four or five times a year to discuss their careers and exchange ideas? Wouldn’t it be a nice way of meeting other career women?” They thought that maybe twenty or twenty-five women would be interested in getting together.
Since no one else came to the luncheon, the four women declared themselves the steering committee and got started. A Saturday in May was selected for the first general meeting at Christopher Newport College. One hundred women from every conceivable occupation were identified and personally invited to attend the organizational meeting. The press was contacted and an exciting article appeared just prior to the meeting. Seventy-five women turned out to organize a “network.” They weren’t sure what the name meant, but they were willing to spend money, time and energy to get the network started. Little by little, the founders heard of other networks and even a book. Agnes Braganza found time to go to New York to meet Alina Novak, founder of the Equitable’s “Networks,” and to read the galleys of Mary Scott Welch’s forthcoming book, Networking: The great New Way for Women to Get Ahead.
As a result of that trip, the Peninsula Women’s Network was included in Welch’s book and Alina Novak agreed to come to the Peninsula to conduct a networking workshop. Novak’s trips to the area inspired everyone who heard her speak. Her first workshop in September 1979 was a huge success and a return visit in April 1982, was attended by twice as many women.
Others were watching our progress and taking notes and soon there were sister networks in Norfolk and Richmond. However, the Peninsula continues to lead the way in size, budget, programs and energy. We have grown, prospered and improved as other networks across the country have died.
Perhaps it’s because we still retain a small core group of loyal members who have participated from the beginning. Perhaps it’s because that same core has given leadership, time and money to make the Network grow. Perhaps it’s because members have formed the bonds of trust and friendship. Whatever the reason, the Peninsula Women’s Network has attained a high level of community visibility, respect and success in a very short period of time.
Recalling that Saturday morning when Novak asked each woman whether she would rather money, fame or power and why, most said “money.” As members that might still be true today. As an organization, however, the Network has achieved both fame and power. The Peninsula Women’s Network’s strength is its membership: caring, sharing women who enjoy helping other women grow!