History

EWI of Phoenix was chartered January 26th, 1957 with Mrs. Mabel Spencer as President, Ms. Betty K. Cloudt as Vice President, and 22 Member Firms. On June 19th, 2007 EWI Phoenix Chapter was proud to celebrate its Golden Anniversary. For over 50 years, EWI of Phoenix has been actively promoting "connections", "careers" and "community" throughout the greater Phoenix metropolitan area.
EWI Phoenix Chapter Presidents


As of June, 2009, the Chapter directory lists 32 diverse member firms, 31 representatives, six sustaining members, four life members, one honorary member, and one transitional member.

Representatives from Member Firms annually elect a ten-member Board of Directors who serve from October to the following September. The responsibility of the Board is to administer Chapter business affairs, and provide leadership and assistance in establishing and carrying out the goals of the Chapter.

A full list of our current Member Firms is available through our Member Firm Profile pages.

To find out more about the Phoenix Chapter history, visit our Chapter History page.

Community

EWI of Phoenix generously supports and contributes to the community by supporting Corporate Philanthropic Programs as follows:
  • EWISP (EWI Scholarship Program): Provides a $5,000 Scholarship to a successful High School Junior.
  • ASIST (Adult Students in Scholastic Transition): Provides a $3,000 Scholarship to a successful candidate.
  • Reading Rally (Literacy): The Phoenix Chapter conducts a Reading Rally with Banner Health Hospitals, providing books, craft products (crayons, ruler, colored paper, etc.) to children who are hospitalized. The Child gets to pick out a book they want, are given a "goody bag" and then have craft time, providing a much needed highlight in an otherwise depressing situation.

In addition to supporting the Corporate Philanthropic endeavors, the Phoenix Chapter also:
  • Promotes Shoebox Ministries by conducting a collection of toiletries and presenting to Shoebox Ministries at a Membership Meeting.
  • Holiday Adopt-A-Family: Through small fundraisers, enough monies are collected to provide a $500+ Christmas for a Family at Risk (Single parent with children at the poverty/homeless level). EWI of Phoenix currently works with "Homeward Bound" a rehabilitation apartment complex that provides training and programs for single mothers to get back on track with their lives. This donation includes clothing, toys for the children, much needed toiletry items, linens/blankets, and a gift certificate for their Christmas Meal, as well as for general food.
  • Senior Prom: A new program to bring a ray of sunshine to Senior Citizens in an Assisted Care Facility began in May, 2009 – a Hawaiian theme. Phoenix Chapter volunteers sponsored a dance – complete with corsages' and boutonnieres- at a local Assisted Living Facility.
  • Chrysalis House: Conducted every couple years or so, we all clean out our closets and bring our "gently used" clothing to this house that cares for battered women, who often get away with only the clothes on their backs.
Photos of these and other events are available in the Phoenix Chapter Photo Gallery.

Membership

EWI offers many benefits to both the representative and the company. Women who participate in EWI have access to a variety of events and programs, and their companies benefit through the professional connections and the recognition as business leaders in their communities.

With the expansion of our new website in July of 2009, EWI Phoenix Chapter is proud to provide active Chapter members access to "members only" features including:
  • Online Member Directory
  • Document Repositories
  • Member Job Board
  • Chapter Reference Library
  • Featured Articles by Member Representatives
  • and much, much more.

For detailed information about EWI Membership please see our Membership page.

Meetings

All Chapter meetings are open meetings (guests can attend). Business dress is appropriate for EWI monthly meetings.
  • Meetings are held on the evening of the third Tuesday of every month throughout the Phoenix area.
  • Time and Location of Board Meeting is listed in the Chapter's Monthly Newsletter, the Chapter CONNECT, as well as on our Events Schedule.
  • The monthly meeting notice gives the particulars of the upcoming meeting. The meeting notices state the Chapter's terms for payment and when a late fee will be assessed.
  • For attendance purposes, Representatives must sign in at the hospitality table at each meeting.
  • The Chapter provides each Representative with a name badge to be worn at Chapter meetings.
  • Pot of Gold (1/2 & 1/2 money Raffle) is held at most meetings.


In photo above:
Past Presidents, from Left to Right. Bottom Row: Billie Eggleston, 1994-Life Member; Jeannette Wright, 1971, Life Member; Irene Piccoli, 1975, Life Member; Helen Cornett, 1995. Second Row: Beverly Kraft, 1993; Laura Picone, 1981; Stephany Lane, 1992, Macayo Mexican Restaurants; Barbara Desmond, 1970; Marlene Everding, 2003-04, APS; Pat Cole, 1996; Roxie Comer, 1991, Chanen Construction; Annette Hannah, 2002-Life Member; Lisa Viggiano, 2006-07, Heritage Designs; Linda Brooks, 2005-06, Sustaining. Top Row: Charm Bowers, 1987, Banner Health; Jan Garthofner, 1990; Vickie Boundy, 2000, Sustaining; Kerry Feltenberg, 1998; Carol Wilson, 1997, Ernst & Young LLC; Valerie Flores, 2004-05, Cenveo; Sondra Robbins, 1995 – Tucson Chapter - Ernst & Young LLC.

See Also:

Chapter News, Chapter History, Visitor's Guide