The American Business Women's Association was founded in Kansas City in 1949 to support a new generation of women working outside of the household.  Throughout the years, the Association expanded into a nationwide network of local chapters that provide resources for business women. 

The Association first came to Central Texas when the Bell Chapter was founded in Temple, Texas in 1960.  The Association expanded and many more chapters were chartered in Central Texas.  In 1981, several local chapters came together to create the Central Texas Area Council, to provide a medium for chapters to share ideas and have a greater impact on the community at large.  The Central Texas Area Council currently has seven member chapters.

• Bell Chapter, Temple/Belton
• Chisolm Trail Chapter, Salado
• Double R Charter Chapter, Round Rock
• Dynamis Chapter, Killeen
• Globe Chapter, Killeen
• Heart of Texas Chapter, Killeen
• Red Poppy Chapter, Georgetown

The Women of Waco Express Network is in the formation stages with plans to charter in August 2008!

The CTAC has a five member board, and voting delegates from each chapter.  All members of a member chapter are encouraged to attend Area Council meetings and network with women from different communities.  The Area Council has sponsored a Women's Leadership Workshop in July for the past 11 years.  This is one way we provide networking and education for our members and the community. 

The American Business Women's Association also hosts a National Women's Leadership Conference each fall.  This year the conference will be held in Covington, KY, October 2-4, 2008.  The National Association also hosts six regionally located Spring Conferences each year to enable more members to attend motivational and educational programs. 

This conference is open to all business women, membership in ABWA is not required.  If you are a local business women looking for networking and educational opportunities within a group of like-minded women, please consider membership in a local chapter.  Chapters have a monthly business meeting that includes a meal and market-relevant speaker.  Some groups meet at noon and some in the evenings.  Contact information for all chapters is listed below.