Varnell Vines Kinnin:
Leading the Charge for Working Women
by Coretta Poole

As president of the North Carolina Federation of Business & Professional Women (BPW/NC) headquartered in Carrboro, Varnell Vines Kinnin is North Carolina’s standard-bearer of an organization that made its start by mobilizing the country’s war effort for World War I. It is no wonder, then, that she views the members as troops on a mission. As state president, Kinnin leads an organization of more than 500 members who are organized into more than 25 local organizations from the mountains to the coast.

Founded in 1919, BPW accomplished its first mission by identifying skilled and experienced women who were available to participate in the war. In the decades to follow, the organization would mobilize women in the struggle for women’s suffrage, equal pay, and the elimination of sex discrimination in employment. True to its roots, BPW/NC continues to fulfill its mission of advocating for equal rights. Indeed, BPW/NC’s legislative platform—one which focuses on economic equity, health care, and civil rights—is one of the most ambitious and far-reaching of its kind.

Elected to her position in June 2005, Kinnin has already made history by becoming only the second African-American to become president in the 87-year history of BPW in North Carolina. As a working woman who has reinvented herself more than a few times, Kinnin is known for a leadership style that emphasizes inclusion, adaptability, and achievement. Currently a Sprint Nextel employee and an adult education graduate student at East Carolina University, Kinnin is a woman who is in persistent preparation for the future. I met with her recently to discuss the future of BPW/NC.

Virginia Dare Local Organization Women’s Symposium November 2005 - L to R: Rosalie Plotkins, Shirley Mozingo, BPW VA-Dare Co-Presidents; Judge Linda McGee, NC Appeals Court Judge; Natalie Drummond, Professional Vocalist and owner of Outer Banks Showcase; Kerry Dougherty, Award Winning Columnist for the Virginian-Pilot newspaper and Varnell Kinnin, BPW/NC President.

NCJW: What is BPW doing to improve the standing of business and professional women?
VK: BPW’s mission is to achieve equity for all women in the workplace through advocacy, education, and information. We inform our members of the changes our political leaders are planning that will affect them. With our national headquarters in Washington, DC, close to our state and national politicians, BPW is well-positioned to lobby for the interests of business women.

NCJW: What causes are BPW uniquely qualified to champion?
VK: We champion affirmative action, and oppose sexual discrimination and violence against women. We are trying to get that full dollar of pay for working women. The pay equity act was signed by President Kennedy in 1963. Even so, women are still bringing home only 70 cents to a man’s dollar.

NCJW: The 30% wage gap is a longstanding, oft-quoted statistic. Why does this statistic still persist after so many years?
VK: First, because men are still in control of Congress, and ensuring women are getting equal pay is not high on the agenda. Second, men still control or own most of the businesses. And finally, there is still the “good ol’ boy” mentality. Even with a lot of the men of the previous generation retiring or having passed on, the baby boomers still see the need to pay men more because they are more readily perceived as “head of household.”

New officers of the Kinston Lenoir LO (Aug. 2005) -   L to R: Dr. Arlene McKay, BPW/NC Co-Membership Chair; Officers for new Kinston-Lenoir County- Rhonda Abbott, Treasurer; Anne B. Vick, Secretary; Yvonne P. Hargett, Vice President; Becky L. Hines, President.

NCJW: Are you optimistic this situation will improve within the next 25 years?
VK: Yes, because within the next 25 years we may have our first woman president and/or vice president. This will bring more of our issues to the forefront.

NCJW: What can business and professional women do today to improve their earning power?
VK: Women must continue to educate themselves either in a classroom or on the job to improve their marketability. I wish women would emulate what men have in terms of building a “good ol’ boy” system. We need more of this type of support amongst women. We need to support each other professionally and personally.

NCJW: You have appealed to BPW/NC to become more member-focused. In what ways do you look to help your members professionally?
VK: We provide business and professional training. We host the Spotlight on Women event, which includes workshops, speakers, and Career Women of the Year participants. Our Young Careerist program recognizes women between the ages of 25 and 35 for their accomplishments.

New Kinston Lenoir Local Organzation Chartering Program

NCJW: Why is the focus on members important to BPW/NC?
VK: We are a group of women helping women. In order to have a viable organization of women to achieve the vision on the state and national level, we need to support and encourage the women on the local level.

NCJW: How does BPW/NC support North Carolina communities?
VK: We award scholarships to young women who are preparing for a career and to women who are changing careers or re-entering the workforce. Our members participate in community projects such as “Relay for Life,” a fundraiser for cancer research. We donate to shelters for battered women, and we share our state headquarters with Alcoholics Anonymous. BPW/NC will offer career-enhancing workshops at our 87th Annual State Conference, which will be held in New Bern from June 8th through 10th.

BPW/NC delegates to the 2005 National BPW Conference in Philadelphia, Pa.  L to R back row: Ruth Bird, Barbara Bernard, Mary Lou Babinski, Pam Bishop, Mary Alice Wells. Seated L to R: Caryl Sinfield, Varnell Kinnin and Betty Hooks.

NCJW: What are the greatest challenges facing BPW/NC?
VK: Membership and getting women to understand that we have not “made it.” Many women today feel they don’t have anything to fight for, so they don’t recognize the relevance of organizations such as BPW. They may have a job, money in the bank, and health care, but many women don’t. There are still many battles to be won, and there is power in numbers. Presidential and gubernatorial candidates look to powerful groups such as the unions for backing. As a women’s group, we have had and can have that kind of clout.

NCJW: How does BPW’s history influence the organization?
VK: Our history has shown us that although we can make a difference, change is not instantaneous. We have to work and be persistent. We have to band together and keep lobbying for changes that will make life better for women. Back in the early days, women accomplished great things. We can do no less in the fight for women’s rights today.

BPW/NC 2005-2006 Officers L to R: Varnell Kinnin, BPW/NC President; Mary Lou Babinski, President-Elect; Caryl Sinfield, Vice President; Michelle Evans, Secretary; Linda McGehee, Parliamentarian, and Terry Roper, Immediate Past President.

NCJW: How has being African-American influenced your experiences with BPW/NC?
VK: As an African-American woman heading a predominantly White organization, I am the face of diversity and inclusion. For me, moving up the ranks of BPW/NC was a goal. I felt I could make a difference, and I felt I have.

NCJW: Historically, the causes of women’s rights and civil rights have found common ground where the advances of one cause often benefited the cause of the other. Do you see a cause that is of mutual benefit for women and minorities in the workplace?
VK: Yes. If it were not for affirmative action, a lot of women would not be where they are today. That includes minorities as well. If we lose the fight to keep affirmative action alive and well, many minorities and women will lose what progress we have gained.

BPW/NC Delegates National Wearing Purple and Gold Sashes in celebration of women receiving the right to vote. L - R: Varnell Kinnin, Mary Lou Babinski, Mary Alice Wells, Mary Dangerfield, Pam Bishop and Betty Hooks

NCJW: What message would you give to girls who are preparing themselves for womanhood and positions in tomorrow’s workplace?
VK: Arm yourself with a good education or skill and go for it. You can do or be whatever you set your mind to. We need women working in all walks of life. Also, don’t let your friends’ lack of ambition or goals deter you from reaching your dream. So many times we let our friends hinder us because we don’t want to lose friendship. Choose friends who are supportive and friends who make you feel good about yourself. And, please, be that kind of friend.

Learn more about BPW/NC at www.bpwnc.org.

Varnell Vines Kinnin
President, BPW/NC