Celebrating local businesswomen on American Business Women’s Day

Jason Futch reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com American Business Women’s Day is celebrated annually on Sept. 22, which acknowledges the founding of the American Business Women’s Association in Kansas City, Mo., in 1949. The organization was founded by businessman Hillary Bufton, Jr., after meeting businesswomen Shirley Cupp, Irma Beisel and Frances Stuckey at a local coffee shop. He was inspired during the meeting and wanted to acknowledge the leadership of women, especially during World War II, who owned their own businesses. “It was my feeling all women were seeking and deserved equal business opportunities,” he once said. Later, he wrote, “They had gained tremendous busines