Our Beginnings
Management Women began as the Bay Area Chapter of Women in Management in September 1983. Dorothy Gallagher, of U.S. Paper Mills, and Chris Neumann, of First Wisconsin Bank, along with 13 charter members, founded the organization because they were seeking peers in the community with whom they could share ideas and experiences as professional women. Women in Management, a national organization, gave them a framework for their endeavor. The local chapter numbered about 50 members in its early years, meeting monthly at what was then the Holiday Inn - Airport on Ashland Avenue in Green Bay .
In July 1985, the organization changed its name to Management Women and became an independent organization. Having established itself locally, the group found that the benefits of a national affiliation no longer held the importance that they did earlier on.
Growing Pains
By January 1987, Management Women included more than 100 women - and with this growth came some growing pains. Some members proposed changing the membership guidelines to focus on women who held positions in upper-level management. The board approved the proposal; a grandfather clause allowed current members who might not meet the new guidelines to remain a part of the organization. The change, however, was controversial. Membership decreased to about 50 members.
Discussions about membership continued for the next couple of years, with a membership task force considering many perspectives. These efforts, though perhaps stressful for the organization at the time, formed the membership guidelines Management Women has today. Our benefit today is a membership base of professional, involved women who represent a balance of the many talents management requires.
Constant Focus
Like our focus on professional development and the networking of women in management, many other aspects of the organization have remained constant through the years. Monthly luncheon meetings are one example.
The organization initially held formal seminars twice year. These have now evolved into our annual Fall Seminar, which provides women with engaging information for personal and professional development, and as always, raises funds for scholarships for women.
After Hours events for members began in 1985 and continue today, with members enjoying outside-of-work events such as bus trips to Kohler , Wisconsin , wine and cheese tasting, and more.
MW Today
Management Women now has 162 members. And through the years, our organization has provided thousands of dollars in scholarships to women seeking post-secondary education.
We look forward to a future of continued growth, both in membership and in the knowledge and personal growth of our individual members.
A look at the MW Logos of the past
Current MW logo - started using in 2008
