Women's professional club inducts first male member
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Earlier this month, the Washington chapter of the Business and Professional Women's Club welcomed a unique new member.
Robert C. Koman, a South Strabane supervisor and director of marketing for Kade Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation in Canton, became the first man to join the local organization.
"We're working on members of both sexes," said membership chairwoman Amy Braden-Manko. "We have a growing membership."
Mrs. Braden-Manko approached Mr. Koman about joining the group in November after she attended a state BPW convention where other local organizations discussed their success inducting male members, which is allowed by the national organization.
According to its national bylaws, the BPW welcomes all individuals who support its missions and objectives. Mrs. Braden-Manko said Mr. Koman filled that bill.
"[Mr. Koman] embodies the spirit of BPW and actually supported its mission without knowing it," in his everyday life, she said.
Mrs. Braden-Manko said she'd known Mr. Koman for several years as a proponent for the rights of women, seniors and the residents of South Strabane.
When she asked him to join the organization, she said Mr. Koman readily agreed and was quickly accepted by the local chapter of about 30 members.
They respected him, she said, for his work and for his views on a controversial tax-increment financing plan that he has opposed -- to the chagrin of his fellow supervisors -- at the planned Victory Centre commercial development.
Mr. Koman said he voted against the TIF plan because there weren't enough safeguards in place for taxpayers over the next 20 years -- the length of time that local taxes would be diverted for infrastructure improvements, such as roads and utilities.
Mr. Koman was in the minority, however, and the plan has moved forward. His courage to stand with a politically unpopular conviction won him the admiration of group members, Mrs. Braden-Manko said.
Mr. Koman, 44, said he shares a common vision with the women of the local BPW.
"Their goal is the same thing I firmly believe in -- bringing women to the forefront and equality," he said. "America is the greatest country in the world, and I think everyone should have a fair shot at it."
Mr. Koman said he will encourage his male friends and colleagues to follow his example and join the group.
"I encourage other men to step up," he said.
First Published December 31, 2006 12:00 am
