A Legacy of Developing Women Leaders

The Lifelong Leadership and Learning Committee (L3) has empowered generations of BPW women to grow as confident leaders, communicators, and advocates. While today's program reflects the evolving needs of modern leaders, its foundation was established more than 70 years ago.

The journey began in 1954, when the Sierra Mar District of the California Federation of Business and Professional Women created the Leadership Development Project to strengthen leadership skills and deepen members' understanding of the Federation. The seven-month program, inspired by the vision of Julia K. Arri, laid the groundwork for leadership development within BPW.

Upon completing their leadership training, participants were recognized with a Certificate of Completion, celebrating their commitment to leadership development.

In the early 1970s, the program became the Individual Development Program (IDP) and expanded across California and eventually throughout the nation. Its importance grew further in 1992 with BPW/USA's Building Women Power initiative, which recognized leadership development as a cornerstone of empowering working women.

A major milestone came in 1994, when Dr. Rosemary Agonito developed a standardized national IDP curriculum for all BPW clubs and federations. The program soon incorporated prepared and impromptu speaking competitions, helping countless women develop the confidence to lead both professionally and within their communities.

The curriculum continued to evolve, with a significant update in 2004 under the leadership of Dr. Trish Knight, with facilitator training and digital learning resources added in 2005.

In 2020, the NFBPWC Individual Development Committee modernized the program with updated content, PowerPoint presentations, and a new name: Lifelong Leadership and Learning (L3). The change reflected a simple but powerful truth—leadership is a lifelong journey of learning and growth.

Today, L3 offers a broad range of leadership development topics, including advocacy, networking, communication, project management, leadership versus management, business etiquette, the elevator pitch, stress management, and more. The committee continues to expand the curriculum while partnering with other NFBPWC committees to ensure the program remains relevant and impactful.

From its beginnings as a local leadership initiative to its role as NFBPWC's flagship leadership development program, L3 continues to equip women with the skills, confidence, and inspiration to lead with purpose and make a lasting difference.

Please work with your local leadership to ensure L3 activities are happening near you – and please follow the activity of the L3 Committee on the NFBPWC website and in the magazine so you become aware of far-away events you can attend by Zoom.

Nicole Mpouli
NFBPWC Virtual

Adapted from Lifelong Leadership and Learning – How It All Began, by Barbara J. Davis.

Your NFBPWC Magazine: YOUR VOICE

This magazine belongs to everyone and every member is encouraged to contribute to it.

If a submission focuses on the work of a specific club or committee, we ask that it be approved by that group’s President or Committee Chair prior to submission.

All other articles, such as personal reflections on our events or relevant news or contributions inspired by the monthly Editor’s Question are always welcome and may be submitted directly to the magazine at magazine@nfbpwc.org.

Barbara J. Bozeman, NFBPWC President