In November of 1929 the Citizen carried a small article announcing and inviting the women of the county and beyond to join such a group.

“ The Federated Women’s Business club will hold its first regular meeting Sunday, November 10, at 1:30 p.m. at the Commercial Hall. All business and professional women are requested to attend. The meeting is called for this time to enable the out of town visitors to return home before dark, of whom there will be twelve from Pocatello and Logan.” It had been submitted by Mrs. J. D. Dives, Chairman. At this time Henrietta Dives was the owner and operator of the Wilford Hotel of Preston, after years of similar employment since she and her husband had moved to Preston. Pocatello had already formed a similar club and they would act as a mentor to the Franklin County organization.

The result of this bit of information was 45 women attending and organizing, with Nancy Beckstead elected the first president of the club. Other officers were Leola F. Bate as vice-president, Inette Nielson as recording secretary, Miss Mary Fergeson as corresponding secretary, and Miss Myra Goff as the treasurer.

There were conventions held throughout the state and some of the local members were able to attend. The governor proclaimed that the observation of National Business Women’s Week in 1930 would be the week following March 10, in an effort to “establish closer relations between the service clubs of their cities, and to discuss community needs and plans for community improvement.” Preston’s mayor, L. E. Hansen, followed with a matching proclamation for this area.

Although there was an acceptance of the individual business woman overall at this point in history, “the composite American business woman has been a shadowy figure about whom people vaguely speculated, and concerning whom they drew very erroneous conclusions.”

The Preston club held a public relations dinner that week in the Chamber of commerce hall. The club was considered “young” but much was expected of it. The members were willing and very aware of the needs of the citizens of this area. They contributed, edited and published pieces in the local newspaper to raise awareness of improvements to enhance the lives of residents and their families.

A year later in celebration of National Business Women’s Week the club met and gave recognition to some of its members. New officers had been elected. Leola Faylor Bate was the President. She was a charter member and had served as vice-president of the club. Bate had conducted her own confectionery business for many years, the Crystal Confectionery, and at this time was the manager of the Hollywood Confectionery for owner W. F. Jensen.

Henrietta Dives was highlighted as an outstanding business woman whose ability to “own and manage her own hotel for years has been very pronounced.” Etta’s public spirit and interest in civic affairs was applauded. She, too, had been a charter member, and recognized by the state for her efforts in developing the local club.

Nancy Beckstead was also a charter member and had been the first president of the local BPW Club. She was a more than competent nurse and operated her own home hospital.

Other women highlighted in the 1931 meeting are as follows:

Marie Danielson who was in charge of the English department at Preston High School. She compiled information for the history of southeastern Idaho for the local chapters of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers.

Inette Nielson, working as a member of the staff for the Franklin County Auditor’s office for years, and had been an officer of the fledgling club the first year.

Gwen Hoeffler Fellows, currently the corresponding secretary of the group, worked in the offices of Dr. G. W. States and Dr. S. P. Packer both of Preston.

Myra Goff, now the Treasurer, who was the bookkeeper and secretary for the Carlson Furniture Company of Preston.

Emma States, wife of Dr. States, was a nurse herself, having graduated from the Colorado Sanitarium prior to their Preston move, lauded for being very civic and public minded and contributing greatly to the community.

Grace Johnson, now working as the assistant manager of the Quality Bakery.

Mildred Crockett, still a student at the Utah State Agricultural College and currently employed as a stenographer at Utah Power and Light.

Grace Rasmussen, an instructor and part of the Utah Power and Light staff.

Vesta Shelton, of Logan, an organizer of women’s clubs throughout the valley.

Mrs. Nephi Jensen, of Weston, had the distinction of being the first lady in Franklin County to be elected as clerk of a school board. She had been elected and served in that position for three consecutive terms of three years each. Mrs. Jensen was also the local chairman of The Better Homes of America Committee.

Other members mentioned in this published celebration were: Mrs. Charles Pinson, Zelma Henderson, Alice Lilenquist, Gwendolyn Rigby, Lettie Paull, and Estelle Richardson.

Some of these women were an active part of their husband’s businesses. The ages of the members covered a wide range. One of the frequent occupations of the ladies who were members of the club was that of being employed in the Preston school system as instructors.

The Business and Professional Women’s Club eventually became a part of the Preston Chamber of Commerce, continuing their interest and abilities to add good things to the lives of those living in the county.