Standing up for America’s women

It may seem like just a collection of recipes, but this cookbook could help put someone through college next year.

The Culpeper chapter of the national Business and Professional Women’s group is selling cookbooks to raise money for their many scholarships, including an annual $1,000 check to a local high school senior for their continuing education.

Since its inception in 1919, the national Business and Professional Women’s (BPW) organization has worked for equality for women in America, from getting the vote to getting equal pay. Culpeper’s chapter has been in existence since 1947, advocating women’s rights laws and supporting working women in the communities.

Most recently, the Culpeper BPW awarded Laura Ellyson, a recent CCHS graduate, the $1,000 Frances N. Phillips scholarship. Ellyson, 18, will be attending Indiana University of Pennsylvania in the fall to study archeology. She was not familiar with the BPW but heard about the scholarship through her guidance office.

“I was very happy because I hadn’t gotten any (scholarships) until I got this one and then one other,” Ellyson said. “I hope to study archaeology. I always liked the Indiana Jones movies and going to museums as a kid.”

Pat Martin, 61, parliamentarian of Culpeper’s chapter and an insurance agency owner, said the national group works for equity for   women in the workplace through advocacy in Congress and education. The local chapter presents programs to help women, and anyone can be a member, whether you work or not.

“You can be a housewife,” Martin said. “You can be a retired woman, a working woman, a business owner, whatever. We have quite a variety of members in our group that do a lot of different occupations.”

In addition to women’s advocacy, Culpeper’s BPW awards scholarships like the Frances N. Phillips scholarship and another $500 scholarship to women 25 and older who are pursuing an education. Martin also mentioned a new yearly $1,000 “Mom Scholarship” established by a past winner — who wishes to remain anonymous — for moms attending Germanna Community College.

“They sound like a good group,” said Vivienne Sharp, Ellyson’s mother, who had not heard about the BPW before her daughter’s award. “Just sitting at their meeting it sounds like they do a lot of good work.”

Like many civic organizations, Martin said the Culpeper BPW is struggling to retain membership because of people’s busy schedules. Dues, which go to local, state and national levels, are $92 a year and the group meets the third Monday of the month.

“It’s a good way to network with other women who are in business,” Martin said, who joined in 1981. “At the time, I was a young mother and it was nice to get out and be with other women and fellowship.”

Catherine Amos can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 138 or .

Want a cookbook?
The Culpeper BPW is selling cookbooks full of tasty recipes compiled by its members for $8 a piece to raise money for scholarships. They are available for purchase at Accent Travel, Virginia Barbeque, Reflections Hallmark Store and Mountain Run Title.