For 100 years the Batavia Business & Professional Women’s Club has been serving the Genesee County community.
The first meeting was held at the Hotel Richmond in 1921 with 150 women attending. Lillian C. Bender, of the Leadley Drug Company, was elected as the first President of the group. The Club was created a year after women were granted the right to vote with the passage of the 19th amendment in 1920.
The mission of the club is to provide community service, educational scholarships for students and service awards to various service organizations in Genesee County.
Penny Arnold/a Past President, says the club is a lot of fellowship with people working together. Arnold says after relocating to Batavia in 1989 from Michigan for a new job, she joined the Batavia Business & Professional Women’s Club in 1990 and became treasurer, then a few years later, president.
“We’ve had real estate agents, people in banking and all aspects of business in Genesee County, it is a way for people to network. It is a support system for each other and a way to further develop yourself. This group is for anyone who is a professional who is working or a retired worker. Its a great place, everyone is very open and we welcome new members. I truly made a lot of friends in this organization.”
