~ Our Mission & Vision ~

To achieve equity for all women in the workplace through advocacy, education and information.

  • 1967-1969 - Rita R. Immel
  • 1969-1970 - Helen A. Bitz
  • 1970-1971 - Joann T. Davis
  • 1971-1972 - Georgia M. Pavlik
  • 1972-1973 - Bessie E. Bell
  • 1973-1975 - Betsy M. Tillman
  • 1975-1977 - Jacquelyn Cavanaugh
  • 1977-1979 - Regina A. Macey
  • 1979-1981 - Geraldine McCartney
  • 1981-1983 - Elizabeth A. Roble
  • 1983-1985 - Cathy C. Kasper
  • 1985-1987 - Berry Jo DeGlau
  • 1987-1989 - Ann L. Lucchino
  • 1989-1990 - Pamela S. Walter
  • 1990-1991 - Ann L. Lucchino
  • 1991-1993 - Theresa M. Revicky
  • 1993-1996 - Kathy S. Claycomb
  • 1996-1998 - Sandra L. Neiderhiser
  • 1998-2000 - Joyce Weiers
  • 2000-2002 - Patricia C. Frederick
  • 2002-2003 - Lisa R. Frederick
  • 2003-2004 - Jeanne E. VanHouten
  • 2004-2005 - Mary Ann Urban
  • 2005-2007 - Theresa S. Rusbosin
  • 2007-2009 - Jan Merriman
  • 2009-2010 - Kara Gaia
  • 2010-2012 - Michelle Teague
  • 2012-2014 - Jackie S. Elliott
  • 2014-2016 - Jean Calabrace
  • 2016-2018 - Angela Apple
  • 2018-2019 - Nicole Purnell

A message from our president

Latrobe BPW is off to a big start for 2018-2019. We are women helping women, and I am looking forward to all the philanthropy, scholarship, mentoring, and networking this year. This year we welcome our own Theresa Rusbosin as our State President. Theresa’s State BPW/PA theme is “Celebrating 100 years of women helping women with passion and purpose”. Locally, I have chosen the theme “Find your voice, share your story”. The power of storytelling is often overlooked as a strategy for influencing women. Stories allow us to attempt to understand the lived experiences of others and can lead to inspiration, hope, and change; not only in ourselves but in our community. How can we as Latrobe BPW share our stories? Our many members come from all walks of life. Just within our group, we have so many different stories to share. The retired career woman, the teacher, the scientist, the college student, the mathematician, the entrepreneur, and so many more! My guess is that not all of us miraculously set off on a path to instant success. Your struggle or advice might influence a fellow member in ways you never thought. Why not share your story? One goal this year is to expand our social media presence to help bring our BPW stories to life.  

I originally joined BPW to network with other women to start building connections for my career, but what I got in return was much more.  I have made lifelong best friends who I regularly see outside of “BPW”. I have gotten to honor students with scholarships and meet amazing community leaders. I am employed full time, and also adjunct a chemistry course at a local college. Throw in that I am also the mom of 2 young boys, and it is often hard to find time…for anything! Whenever we get busy in life, we tend to push our female friendships to the backburner. Instead, try to make time for them. A BPW meeting is a great way to start. Did you know that spending time with friends actually helps reduce stress? Why not make time and treat yourself to dinner with your BPW friends once a month. I can guarantee that the positivity of our group will uplift you.  

Lots of excitement is on the Latrobe BPW horizon and I can’t wait to begin the journey with my sisters.

Cheers!
Nicole

Past Presidents

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2018-2019 OFFICERS


PRESIDENT
NICOLE PURNELL

Vice-President
Deb Bowman

Treasurer
Marsha St. Pierre

Recording Secretary
Deneen Krowicki

Corresponding Secretary
Nikki Cecchini

Parliamentarian
Theresa Rusbosin

Latrobe BPW President

Nicole Purnell

  • 1929-1930 - Bessie M. Mitchell
  • 1930-1932 - Margaret G. Smith
  • 1932-1933 - Mary T. Denman
  • 1933-1934 - Florence B. Moritz
  • 1934-1935 - Ann M. Kasack
  • 1935-1936 - Edna Patterson Henry
  • 1936-1937 - Mary M. Himler
  • 1937-1939 - Mary K. Harris
  • 1939-1940 - Margaret B. Smith
  • 1940-1941 - Rose E. Berkmyre
  • 1941-1942 - Margaret Hudson
  • 1942-1943 - Ruth Young
  • 1943-1944 - Adeline E. Reeping
  • 1944-1946 - Ruth I Himler
  • 1946-1948 - M. Mabel Hugus
  • 1948-1949 - Irene Kruzynski
  • 1949-1950 - Virginia Deniels
  • 1950-1951 - Marie Drum Barkley
  • 1951-1952 - Agnes Kitz
  • 1952-1953 - Everyn B. Bitner
  • 1953-1955 - Betty Schmitt Vener
  • 1955-1956 - Helen Otto Okonak
  • 1956-1957 - Florence J. Gill
  • 1957-1958 - Virginia S. Griffin
  • 1958-1959 - Mary S. Couchenour
  • 1959-1960 - Philmena Rich
  • 1960-1961 - Virginia L. Fowler
  • 1961-1963 - Gladys C. Gilbert
  • 1963-1965 - Patricia S. Horne
  • 1965-1967 - F. Elizabeth McAteer