American Business Women’s Association Scholarship

The Grand Junction American Business Women’s Association Scholarship was made possible through the generosity of the Grand Junction chapter of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA).

On September 22, 1949, Shirley Cupp, Irma Beisel, Frances Stuckey, and Mr. Hilary Bufton Jr. met in a Kansas City coffee shop to incorporate the American Business Women’s Association. At that time, it was considered socially unacceptable for women to pursue full-time careers, enjoy a “girls’ night out,” or join professional associations.

The mission of ABWA is to bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking, support, and national recognition. The Grand Junction chapter continues to advance this mission by providing scholarships to Colorado Mesa University students, helping empower the next generation of women to achieve their educational and professional goals.