About Us

Professional Women of Winston-Salem (PWWS) is an energetic organization with more than 100 members that includes professional women in the community from all disciplines.

Throughout the years, leadership has continued to strive to establish goals and meet the needs of its organization, recruit new members, and maintain a superior level of standards for meeting programs. Members meet monthly to network and learn from speakers selected to complement the goals of the group.

PWWS is pleased to sponsor the PWWS Scholarship Fund designed to enhance the lives of women in the local community. We are also strong supporters of helping others through community service initiatives.

Our Mission

The purpose of Professional Women of Winston-Salem (PWWS) is to stimulate professional and personal growth and development through a community of women who support each other in becoming more effective in the business world by offering opportunities to exchange resources and new ideas, make new contacts, and open new lines of communication.

Our History

In the summer of 1990, a small group of professional women in Winston-Salem spearheaded by Janice Kerley and Karen Bunch met to formulate a plan for an organization geared toward female professionals in the Winston-Salem area. Others involved in that process were Marge Becker, Nancy Ellison, Jeryn Freeman, Leslie Martin, Liz Martin, Pat McPhail, Nancy Merschon, Christina Skeeters and Judy Vassar. The first formal meeting was held on November 14, 1990, at the Piedmont Club.

Following the first meeting, the dedicated group of women discussed and revised areas that could be improved. One was a change in the original intent to be a local chapter affiliate of the National Association of Female Executives (NAFE). The charter members quickly learned that affiliation with NAFE was not important and made membership optional.