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The Furniture Capital Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association was chartered 50 years ago.

Eleven members attended the chapter’s organizational meeting July 19, 1959, at the Sheraton Hotel on Main Street in High Point. There were 19 on roll.

Three of those charter members are still in the organization: Doris Neese is in the Furniture Capital Chapter, and two other charter members, Doris Carter and Ruby Tuttle, along with others, were asked to help charter the Golden Arch Charter Chapter in the Archdale-Trinity area.

Carter just celebrated 50 years of perfect attendance.

Fifty years ago, Neese and Carter said, many organizations seemed willing to help boys but did not offer as much help for girls and young women.

Mary Peele, incoming president of this chapter, points out World War II brought millions of women into the work force and was actually the beginning of ABWA. After the war, many women decided to remain in their jobs.

The national organization was chartered in 1949, under the guidance of Hilary A. Bufton Jr. of Kansas City, Mo., and three Kansas City businesswomen.

“I remember we really came together as a group,” said Neese, who was office manager at Jamestown Mills when she helped charter the Furniture Capital City Chapter. “We were all in different types of work but worked well together on projects for community scholarships. I think I grew in many ways and was more well-rounded and out-going as a result of my membership.”

Peele shared this information about that first year:
“The first officers of the chapter were Lucille Monroe, president; Mio Stutts, vice president; Louise Adams, recording secretary; Maurice Peace, corresponding secretary; and Ann Loflin, treasurer.”

She listed the occupations of several members as: Carter, owner and operator of Doris’ Flower Shop; Inez Craven, manager of the Hat Shop; Edith Cumby, licensed funeral director of Cumby Mortuary; Doris Oakley, owner and manager of Sunnydale Beauty Salon; Elizabeth Pirtle, primary teacher at Tomlinson School; Ruby Tuttle, bookkeeper and cashier of Belk-Beck Company; Ariva Upton, vice president of Dar-Lee Fashions; and Rachel Sedberry, IBM operator of Pilot Life Insurance Company.

Peele said the first scholarship, given in 1959, was $50, awarded to Mary Wardell Bloomer, who became a registered nurse.

This year, winners were Sarah Sasser and Allysen Schaar, who received $1,000 each.

Since 1959, the chapter has awarded more than $205,500 to Triad high school seniors.

More than $23,000 has been donated to the Stephen Bufton Memorial Education Fund of ABWA for distribution nationally.

The 50th anniversary celebration was held at the Valleybrook Special Events Center in Greensboro with 50 attendees and special guests.

Guests included High Point Mayor Becky Smothers, ABWA District 1V Vice President Pam Craven from Pennsylvania and Piedmont Triad Arts Council officers.

Catherine Cress spoke about the history of the chapter.
Dr. Trudy Wade, a member of ABWA for a number of years, gave the keynote address. She discussed changes in women’s lives since 1951 and the progress women have made in the workforce. She pointed out the value of networking and being active in political decisions in the community and the nation.

Special recognition was given to Neese for 35 years of perfect attendance and Carter for 50 years of perfect attendance. Tuttle also was recognized.

A slide show of the past 50 years of ABWA Furniture Capital Chapter was displayed during the event.

Music was provided by guest soloist Cindy Saunders singing “You Raise Me Up.”

For information about the ABWA Furniture City Chapter, contact Peele at 434-1654.

If you have information about High Point people or events, contact Kathy Johnson at mjohnson2 @triad.rr.com.