Celebrating 45 Years with American Business Women’s Association

8 Flags Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) met recently to celebrate its 45 year anniversary in Nassau Co.

The Eight Flags Charter Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) met on September 18, 2014 to celebrate its forty-five year anniversary in Nassau County. Forty-five years of fun. Forty-five years of laughter. Forty-five years of professional development. Forty-five years of personal development. Forty-five years of commitment from Nassau County’s women giving back to the entire community of Nassau County.

The American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) was founded nationally in 1949 by a Kansas businessman, Mr. Hilary Bufton, Jr. Upon its founding, Mr. Bufton is quoted as stating, in part, that businesswomen “deserved equal business opportunities. They had gained tremendous business knowledge during World War II through necessity…” Corporate headquarters of the ABWA are located in Overland Park, Kansas. The mission of the ABWA is to bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, network support, and national recognition. The ABWA is represented in over 300 cities across the nation. As part of the largest network of working women across the country, the Eight Flags Chapter was pleased to celebrate their 45-year milestone anniversary.

The Eight Flags Chapter of ABWA has achieved great outreach efforts over its forty-five year history. A signature event for which Eight Flags’ Chapter supports as a Platinum Sponsor is the annual Fernandina Beach “Shop with Cops” program. A second initiative in partnership is the yearly Shrimp Festival, whereby the Eight Flags’ ladies work tirelessly in merchandise sales, benefiting all visitors who enjoy novelties of the rich heritage that is Amelia Island. A third and very proud accomplishment for our Eight Flags Chapter is the yearly award of the Stephen Bufton Memorial Educational Fund Scholarship. Giving away in excess of $100,000.00 over their history, these scholarships are open for all of our Nassau County students to apply. This year’s scholarship recipient was Ms. Ansley Howard, a graduate of the Sonshine Christian Academy in Callahan.

The night’s celebratory festivities included accolades and recognitions of various Chapter members. Two Eight Flags Chapter’s members, Mrs. Esther Schindler and Mrs. Carolyn Guerrin, received honorable gifts and recognition for their longtime commitment to Eight Flags, being members since 1973 and 1974 respectively. Other members were acknowledged with token gifts for perfect attendance. And, Mrs. Barbara Brewer was presented with a special gift basket in thanks for her contributions to our Chapter, along with well-wishes as she departs Nassau County, Florida charting a new beginning in the neighboring state of Alabama. The chapter truly thanks each and every one of our women members, past and current, for being exceptional as part of the fabric that is the Eight Flags ABWA success.

Wrapping up the celebration was a presentation by Ms. Barbara Tolliver-Haskins. Ms. Tolliver-Haskins, founder of Executive Coaching Solutions focused her presentation on the points of women needing to claim their space and embracing, or otherwise “owning” one’s talents. In a simple participatory exercise, Mrs. Tolliver-Haskins noted women are of many talents.

Feel free to try this exercise in your own group:

Take an apple, cut it in half. Based upon the number of seeds found inside, identify said number of talents and share these with others. For example, our audience participants shared their named talents of mentoring, integrity, friendships, perseverance, fun, commitment, and many more.

The moral: every woman has something to offer, something that cannot be stolen away from us. Further, every woman can own their joy in success; one’s value (talent) as a woman is exponential.

The Eight Flags ABWA thanks you, Nassau County, and all women who have made us a strong and dynamic group over the past 45 years. Eight Flags’ Charter Chapter of ABWA is looking forward to the next 45 years of personal and professional growth and service in our community.

The Eight Flags Charter Chapter of ABWA welcomes new members.

If you are interested in joining, or would like to learn more on how you can benefit from being a part of ABWA, we invite you to look us up at www.abwa.org, or www.eightflagsabwa.org. Everyone is invited to join us for our monthly dinners. There is a $16.00 fee. Dinner reservations are required via contact to Membership Chairwoman Mrs. Monica Hayes (904) 624-0949 or via email at eightflags_abwa@yahoo.com. You can also find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/8flagsabwa.