History of Women's Council

Women's Council founded September 15, 1932 with Lucy Sheridan of the Rochester Telephone Corporation as its first president, was originally referred to as "the group." Shortly after its formation, they had sixty-five members and an executive committee of women employed by organizations such as County of Monroe, Eastman Kodak, Edwards & Sons Co., H.A. Swift Co., Hickey Freeman Co., Lyceum Theatre, Moseley and Motley Milling Co., Rochester Gas & Electric Corp. and Rochester Machine Industries, to name just a few.

Even then "the group," had among its members a distinguished roster of civic leaders, professional women and business executives such as lawyers, banking women, real estate and insurance representatives, financial experts, public relations workers, and a fair share of entrepreneurs completely immersed in private business enterprise.

It's not hard to imagine, therefore, that these women became a vital force in motivating and improving the Rochester community. That was the legacy that was passed along to all those who followed in their footsteps.

Women's Council (WC) meetings and programs have always sought to enhance the images of women in business and to broaden their skills and knowledge in order to increase their ability to work with larger Chamber endeavors. Special programs were held to address specific issues and goals.

Some earlier programs featured activities such as programs of action for anti-discrimination in housing and in employment practices, and interest in downtown and its development. Other events and projects followed such as the World of Work Program aimed at reaching high school students for the purpose of disseminating professional information; compiling a directory of all women's organizations in the area; public relations activities included a bus tour of downtown Rochester to promote downtown and the cultural heritage of our city; an interesting program recognizing the Susan B. Anthony commemorative coin, the establishment of the Ellen Putnam Award to acknowledge the accomplishments of an outstanding member of the Women's Council who has made significant contributions to the community; debuting that award at a gala 50th anniversary dinner, involvement with PAC, a political action committee of the Chamber where our organizational skills were used to enlist the services of all the Chamber's councils in increasing financial contributions for political candidates that supported the purposes of all of the Chamber; serving industry by holding Personnel Awareness seminars providing tools to better sell our area when recruiting workers with high-technology; and sponsoring a Women in Employment seminar as part of a week-long Women's Awareness Conference partially funded by the Overseas Education Fund (Rochester was one of only five cities selected to sponsor the national Women and World Issues seminars.) These activities have worn well in the community and have left their distinguished mark.

More recent programs and projects included sponsoring seminars designed to aid unemployed workers; co-sponsoring with the Center for Organization Development on "Managing Change" for Chamber member organizations and individuals at a time when mergers were imminent; hosting a professional exhibit fair where Women's Council members could display their company's products and services; initiating a Women's Council membership profile; and celebrating Rochester's Sesquicentennial by publishing a 45-page booklet entitled "Women of Rochester Who Made A Difference" that profiled 80 women from 1800s and 1900s who made their mark on the City's 150 year past.

Community service was also a priority as members were responsive to requests for help with community events such as participation in Channel 21's early auctions and membership drives, Easter Seal Telethon, Hikes for Hope, Junior Achievement's Young Business Woman of the Year Awards as well as their Career Development activities, Scholastic Art Awards and Susan B. Anthony Outstanding Service to the Community Award.

Increased membership in recent years has reflected favorably on the goals and direction Women's Council leaders chose to pursue. Accepting the U.S. Chamber's invitation to establish its national ATHENA Award to be given to a top achieving businesswoman for her professional excellence and work in this community was a notable example. Since its inception in 1987, attendance at this annual event has grown from 500 to 900. Nationally renowned keynote speakers and local award recipients alike impressed the business community as well as the media in an extremely positive fashion.

We can look back with satisfaction on many of our special projects knowing we were pioneers in bringing issues to the forefront. Women's Council has played a key role in understanding, influencing, and improving the status and quality of life of professional women in the Greater Rochester Metro area. We are committed to supporting and promoting the growth and development of Rochester's professional and business women through professional development programs, networking events, seminars, community outreach, and special project.

This visibility can only continue to impact the Women's Council in a promising manner. It should also serve to encourage even more women to become interested in serving the Rochester community and the Chamber through WC membership.