The ABWA-Midwest Heartland Chapter was chartered as an official chapter of the American Business Women’s Association on Tuesday, August 11, 2015, at the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce, 721 S. Second Street, Clinton, IA. Nancy Griffin, ABWA National President, and Meg Bell, ABWA National Vice President, traveled from Kansas to conduct the chartering ceremony. The mission of the Midwest Heartland Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association is to bring together a group of vibrant, positive women who are passionately engaged in supporting other women in the Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois area. As strong leaders and change agents, the Chapter is committed to providing leadership in the business community, mentoring other women for success, networking as professionals, and offering service in order to enhance or improve each person’s growth in their own career.
ABWA is a prestigious National association bringing together businesswomen in diverse occupations and providing opportunities to help them and others grow personally and professionally, through leadership, education, networking support, and National recognition. Membership is open to everyone, including men.
Seated left-to-right are Carissa Evans, Traci West, Kristi Cannon, Wendy Ottens, and Amanda Eberhart. Standing left-to-right are Meg Bell, Leslie Friedman, Jerri Rose, Cheryl Huetter, Patti Bigger, Marie Goldbeck-Strunk, Cindy Hook, Leasa Swamberger, Theresa Spencer, Regina Lehman, Tricia Petersen, Barb Janis, Joni Krogman, Mary Kay Wik, Mary Wolfe, Shannon Sander-Welzien, Ann Eisenman, Idell Klein, and Nancy Griffin.
The idea of forming the Midwest Heartland Chapter was originated in August 2014 by Kristi Cannon of Fulton, IL. Being new to town, Cannon wanted to join an organization of women to get to know individuals in the area, while growing personally and professionally. What Cannon found was the group she had in mind did not exist. With the help of formation team members Traci West and Wendy Ottens, the first meeting was held on October 7, 2014, at the Martin House in Fulton. Monthly meetings continued with speakers on various business, personal growth, and professional development topics. A quarterly “Spotlight on Successful Women” series was started, to share the accomplishments of local women in the area.
Now the Midwest Heartland Chapter encompasses both Western Illinois and Eastern Iowa. “One year ago, this evening was an idea; a goal,” stated West. “One plan at a time. One meeting at a time. One invitation at a time. One member at a time. Now this goal has become a reality.” With 31 official members, the chapter meets on the second Tuesday of each month at the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce, except for the quarterly Spotlight events.
Newly-elected local chapter officers for 2015-2016 are Cannon, President; West, Vice President; Ottens, Treasurer; Amanda Eberhart, Secretary.
The next gathering is the fall “Spotlight on Successful Women,” to be held Saturday, September 19, from noon to 2:00 p.m. at Krumpets,1016 4th Street, in Fulton. Mary Wolfe, Attorney and member of the Iowa House of Representatives, will be the keynote speaker. RSVP’s to this event would be appreciated to Cannon at kristicannon2009@yahoo.com. Visit the ABWA-Midwest Heartland Chapter Facebook page for more information.