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Snapfinger Woods Chapter History

The Snapfinger Woods Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association(ABWA) was chartered on July 29, 1982 with 27 members. The Gate City Charter Chapter was the sponsoring Chapter and Ann Summerlin served as the Chapter’s first President.

The Snapfinger Woods Chapter has been cited for high achievement with 17 Star Awards, which recognizes the fulfillment of the Association’s mission. The Chapter has also earned the Standard of Achievement and the Banner Awards for chapter management and membership participation. Other awards earned include:

Chapter Awards & Recognition

Spring Membership Campaign Retention Award
Fall Recruitment Award
Spring Retention Award
Spring Recruitment Award
Scholarship Award (3)
National Board Award (4)
Business Associate Event Award (4)
Retention Award (2)
Spring Conference Sponsorship Award
National Meeting Attendance Award

Scholarship Medallion (2)
National Meeting Medallion (2)
Recruitment Medallion (2)
Chapter Management Award (2)
Member Education Award (2)
Chapter Combination Retention Award
Fifty/Fifty Award
National Convention Sponsorship Award
Chapter Scholarship Award

Two members, Betty Campbell (1983) and Dr. Barbara Lovette Wright (1996) have been recognized as Top Ten Business Women of ABWA -- the highest individual recognition a member can receive. Additionally, Dr. Barbara Lovette Wright was selected as the American Business Woman of ABWA (1996).

The Snapfinger Woods Chapter has contributed approximately $32,000 in local scholarships and $10,000 to the national scholarship, the Stephen Bufton Memorial Educational Fund (SBMEF), which is the National Scholarship Trust of the Association.

Continuing the mission of the Association, the Snapfinger Woods Chapter annually sponsors community service projects including:

  • Serving as mentors to “Young Ladies of Mathis” -- Bob Mathis Elementary School, DeKalb County, GA
  • Participating in the “Dress For Success” Program
  • Adopting a homeless family, and
  • Providing toiletries/gifts to the Women’s Resource Center of DeKalb County, Glenwood Manor Nursing Home & Beverly Healthcare of Decatur.

In an effort to increase the Chapter’s visibility and involvement in the community, the Chapter is a member of the DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce.

The Snapfinger Woods Chapter was one of the sponsoring Chapters for the ABWA 1995 District I Spring Conference, held in Decatur, GA. The Chapter initiated the bid and was one of the sponsoring Chapters for the ABWA 2000 National Convention, held in Atlanta, GA. Approximately 2,500 ABWA members from across the country were in attendance.

ABWA History

In 1949 Hilary A. Bufton Jr., a Kansas City, MO, businessman realized recognized the positive economic impact of working women and their need for a support organization. On September 22, 1949, Bufton founded the American Business Women's Association (ABWA) whose mission is to bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support, and national recognition.

ABWA has dedicated more than 55 years to women's education and provided workplace skills and career development training for more than 545,000 members.

For additional information regarding our National organization, please visit the ABWA Web site at www.abwa.org