All About Network

In October, 1978 three women, Peg Knapp, Chris Miller and Pat Mohler decided they wanted to meet regularly with other professional women.  They invited others and began meeting each Friday for breakfast. Over the first six weeks, those attending further defined what it was they wanted and set out to make it happen. 

The group named themselves “Network for Executive Women.”  It was decided to meet every Friday recruiting thoughtfully to encourage diversity.  Members jealously guarded their morning time against taking sides or promoting favorite causes. Network grew from 10 to 15 members to 35 to 40 regulars and another 50 or so occasional members.  Monthly dinner and lunch meetings were added. 

A professional workshop was also offered to the short list of group activities. The group grew to over 200 members in the 1980’s.  As a result of the increase in membership, Network expanded to have several “satellite” groups in other locations and on different days.

In 1982, the membership voted to adopt By-Laws and to become officially a not-for-profit organization.   Five women were elected to a new Board of Directors with Dr Jane Hardwick as its first president.  The role of the board was to function as much as possible “behind the scenes” so that networking would continue to have top priority at the morning meetings.

In a gesture of loving remembrance for long standing member, Ruth Marie Cox, in 1994 an award was created to honor a current member each year whose participation in the group exemplified the many attributes of Ruth Marie Cox.  The first recipient was Ellen Roddy.

Membership decreased dramatically in the 199o’s resulting in some restructuring in 2008.  The Board combined their talents and formed the “Back to the Future” committee whose task was to reconstruct the organization.  They focused on the change of the weekly meeting location as well as prioritizing an increase in membership. It was at this time that Network for Executive Women became Network for Enterprising Women; it aimed at attracting a broader, more diverse group of women.  In the midst of these changes, the original purpose of Network, to actively support women and their achievements in a positive and informal setting, remained the same. Through the use of technology and efforts to encourage a wider spectrum of women, Network continues to offer an appealing way to meet and share ideas and support with other women in business, the arts, education and other types of enterprising careers.