Women-Dedicated Networking Business Celebrates 60th Anniversary
/The Women’s Business Network has celebrated its 60th anniversary with a virtual event featuring guest speakers, trivia, giveaways and business spotlights for all its members on Wednesday.
Formed in 1961, the WBN is a networking channel for businesswomen who want to enhance and expand their professional contacts and grow their businesses.
The virtual gathering allowed members to give testimonials and reflect on how WBN has affected their lives and its positive impact.
“The membership boasts about 175 members at full capacity,” said Danielle McIver, WBN president. “It’s about supporting women with their goals. Whatever you’re doing as a female community member in Peterborough, we want to support you.”
Examples of network members are entrepreneurs, business owners, administrators and several other occupations. Photo Courtesy of WBN.
With the pandemic, McIver had the WBN adapt to the drastic changes the world has undergone. She became president of the organization last year.
“I’m honoured to be here to celebrate a milestone and it’s exciting that we’ve had so much change in this the last year and we’ve been able to have a strong virtual membership,” said McIver. “There was so much pivoting, so much challenge and so much change.”
Margaret Steeves was the first president of the WBN serving from 1961-1962. Photo Courtesy of WBN.
McIver made the year’s theme “you belong” since COVID-19 negatively affected several women’s careers.
“I was seeing a lot of people losing jobs, losing career paths that they felt was their identity in WBN,” she said. “The ‘you belong’ theme was really making sure we can embrace people for whatever the situation was right now that they were at.”
The WBN is run by a board of directors with up to 13 volunteer members who dedicate 10-30 hours a month to the organization. Photo Courtesy of WBN.
