Being a professional woman in 2024 means walking the tightrope of professional and personal life with the constant pressure from society to be Superwoman, making support groups all that more important.
Fortunately, there are groups like Networth, a collective of professional women started in the spring of 1980. What began as a one-time professional women-centered workshop, sponsored by the North Carolina Governor’s Council on the Status of Women at Fayetteville Technical Community College, has grown into something far bigger and impactful than anyone could have anticipated.
Locals Suzanne Barlow, Evans Clark, Mary Grace Cain, Vonna Biglione, Jean Smith, Jessica Steward, Anne Nimocks, Lucy Wofford, Omega Weeks, Jan Babcock, Suzan Cheek, Betty Chiles, Jeanette Council, Sandra Edwards, Phyllis McLeod Laslett, Virginia Thompson Oliver, Carol Parker, Sophia Pierce, Ashley Rabun, and Susan Sheref continued to meet regularly for lunches and discussions on how they could not only support one another but the community that they lived and worked in.
They eventually reached out to the Women’s Forum in Greensboro for guidance. September 27, 1980, marks the official establishment of Networth, and when the organization started meeting formally.
At the first meeting, the founders established the organization's mission, to recognize the success of the individual woman in her business, professional, and or community role; to exchange knowledge, experience, and encouragement with one another; to provide an informal, out-of-the-office atmosphere to create a network of professional friendships; to meet monthly for business-related programs designed to educate rather than entertain: and to limit membership to a manageable number (through a sponsorship-endorsement system) in an effort to nourish friendships and to build a well-balanced blend of talents within the group.
Although most organizations like Networth are open to all women in the community, Networth membership is by invitation only. This allows the organization to stay small with the maximum impact on the community.
“Membership is by invitation and is open to such professional and executive women as managers; licensed or degreed professionals, business proprietors, partners, or local agents; holders of elected or appointed public office; and others who, in the judgment of the Membership Committee, can contribute to and profit from the activities of the organization. A new member must be sponsored by two current members in good standing,” explained member Dena Breece.
Breece also said, “The purpose of Networth, then, is the mutual support of women on a professional level. We learn from one another by sharing professional information, experience, and ideas. We develop the confidence of women executives and offer educational experiences for them. We encourage one another and other women to aspire to higher career goals. Our aim is to create an influential forum uniting women who have excelled in their vocations, to lend support to one another, to encourage others, and to help the community at large.”
Networth not only pours life and knowledge into its members but also the community through its scholarship program. Every year, they give 3 local women each a $2,000 scholarship. Scholarships are given to those who attend one of three institutions of higher education in Fayetteville: Fayetteville Technical Community College, Methodist University, and Fayetteville State University. Scholarship winners are announced at the annual Scholarship Luncheon with members, scholarship recipients, and their families. This year’s scholarships were awarded to three brilliant and talented women.
This year's winners were:
DIAMOND FRANKLIN
Methodist University
Doctoral of Occupational Therapy
DANIELLE VINES
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Associate Degree in Radiography
ANDREA ROSS
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Associate Degree of Nursing