The Business Women's Club of Milwaukee was created in April 1920 with 100 charter members. Affiliated with the National Federation of Women's Clubs, Inc., which was founded in 1919, the Milwaukee group allied with the Eastern District of the Wisconsin Federation in 1921. In 1925, the organizations added the word "professional" to their name. Membership is open to any working woman, and represents a wide variety of professions. Following the same goals as those of their parent organization, the Business and Professional Women's Club of Milwaukee strives to enrich its members' private and professional lives through education, legislation and community activities. Educational efforts have consisted of lectures and seminars geared for working women, as well as scholarship programs for female college students. In legislative matters, the Milwaukee branch was active in pressing for passage of the Equal Rights Amendment as well as lobbying for the removal of discriminatory practices in the insurance industry. The group has secured representation on various national, state and local advisory and advocacy groups which seek to better the lives of working women. The Business and Professional Women's Club of Milwaukee also has been active in the community affairs of the Milwaukee area as evidenced by its work in helping to establish the Milwaukee War Memorial Center, and by its financial and service contributions to various charitable and non-profit organizations.
