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Who are we?
The McLean County Chamber of Commerce's Women's Division encourages and advocated personal and professional growth of Chamber businesswomen through monthly programs, networking opportunities, and leadership experiences.

History
In the mid-1960s, Margaret Wakeley, president and General Manager of Roland’s Department Store, was the only female member of the McLean County Chamber of Commerce (then called the Bloomington Association of Commerce and Industry). Mrs. Wakeley was aware that the Associations of Commerce of Decatur and Springfield had separate divisions which focused on the needs of women members. With much resistance from the Chamber board, Mrs. Wakeley campaigned for establishment of a Women’s Division of the ACI in Bloomington. In 1968 a hesitant, all-male Chamber board allowed the establishment of the Women’s Division. However, rather than allowing an open membership as we have today, it was decided by the Chamber board that member businesses would select one woman from each company as a representative in the Women’s Division. Subsequently, a total of 48 women members were selected, and
on May 26, 1968, the Women’s Division was officially established.

Our first by-laws stated the objective of the Women’s Division was to “promote civic, community, cultural, and educational progress throughout the McLean County area; to foster good will, cooperate with the development of the area, and to supplement the program and activities of the Association.”
 

As the years have passed, the Women’s Division’s purpose has transformed and adapted to the changing needs of its members. The Women’s Division is now an organization whose purpose is to encourage and advocate professional and personal growth of its members through programs, networking opportunities, and leadership experiences. The Women’s Division initiates its own programs and projects in concert with the stated objectives of the McLean County Chamber of Commerce. The Women’s Division welcomes members irrespective of race, color, creed, sex, age, disability, or national origin.

-- Prepared by the History Committee, 2005