Im A Woman In Business

Black text and illustrations on tan background.

On September 28, 1977, an exposition in New York at the Statler-Hilton Hotel that focused on women in business commenced. Believed to be the first of its kind in the United States, the “Women in Business Week” was sponsored by the New York Association of Women Business Owners and was coordinated by Diana Silcox. The five days consisted of lectures, workshops, seminars, and exhibits to help aspiring businesswomen. Booths were set up that featured goods and services for companies of all sizes, giving women and business representatives the chance to network and showcase what they had to offer others.
One of the speakers at the Statler-Hilton was the president of Dalmatian Enterprises, Inc. Phyllis Yvonne Reed presented “Women in Business Making It in New York.” Phyllis Reed stated, “What we hope to accomplish is to stimulate all factions of our society to open the door to opportunity and progress.” While progressive for the time, Reed’s speech and presentation were not all that she had to offer her community. Two years after her passing from cancer in 2009, Reed was honored with the naming of the intersection of Davidson Avenue and West Kingsbridge Road. Phyllis Yvonne Reed Plaza was unveiled on February 18, 2011 in honor of the Bronx community activist who had been the president of one of the first black-owned advertising agencies.