The mission of Business and Professional Women (BPW) of Colorado is to provide connection, camaraderie, and community to open doors for women to advance.

The vision of this organization shall be a future where every woman in Colorado has the support, resources, and connections to achieve her full potential.

History of BPW Colorado

Since 1919, we have been empowering women in personal, professional, and political spheres. We are affiliated with the National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs (NFBPWC), which was established by Dr. Lena Madesin Phillips in 1919. In 1930, Dr. Phillips also founded the International Federation of Business and Professional Women (IFBPW) to advocate for women on a global scale. This organization has evolved into one of the most influential networks of business and professional women worldwide.

BPW Colorado is linked through BPW International to members in 100 countries across five regions. Our membership includes esteemed leaders, entrepreneurs, business owners, executives, professionals, and emerging career women. Membership provides access to valuable benefits and opportunities at local, state, national, regional, and international levels. We have been, and remain, at the forefront of the struggle for women's rights. As a fully volunteer-run advocacy and membership organization, we are shaped by the diverse individuals from both large cities and small communities who make up BPW Colorado.

At the state and national levels, we implement various educational, advocacy, monitoring, and tracking strategies aimed at addressing the following advocacy priorities: Economic Equity and Justice; Health Equity and Justice; and Human Rights. During the 2016 National Congress, members unanimously resolved that the Alice Paul Equal Rights Amendment should take precedence over all other items on the advocacy agenda until Equal Rights are enshrined in the United States Constitution.

On the international front, BPW holds consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and participatory status with the Council of Europe. The foundation of BPW’s advocacy is deeply rooted in our engagement with the United Nations. BPW played a pivotal role in lobbying for the establishment of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and has championed numerous women's issues. Today, BPW continues to represent women's interests at UN Headquarters in New York, Vienna, and Geneva, as well as at various UN regional offices (UNECA, UNECE, UNESCAP, UNESCWA, UNECLAC), alongside agencies such as UNESCO, UNICEF, ILO, WHO, UNCTAD, UNIDO, FAO, and UN DPI, as well as collaborating closely with the Council of Europe and the European Women’s Lobby, while maintaining a strong partnership with UNIFEM.