About Us
Our mission is to enable women in all accounting and related fields to achieve their full personal, professional and economic potential and to contribute to the future development of their profession.
Chattanooga AFWA is made up of all different types of professionals (you do not have to be a woman to be a member!) in the Chattanooga area involved in Accounting and Finance fields. We would love for you to join us for a monthly luncheon and get to know our group.
Feel free to contact any of the board members listed for more information or details.
ASWA was formed in 1938 to increase the opportunities for women in all fields of accounting and finance. The first chapter was chartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 2013, ASWA changed names to become the Accounting and Financial Women's Alliance (AFWA). Members include partners in national, regional and local CPA firms, financial officers, controllers, academicians, financial analysts and data processing consultants, recent college graduates and women returning to the work force. AFWA is the home for professional women in accounting and finance, providing opportunities for networking and continuing education at the local, regional and national level. Please visit the national website at www.afwa.org to learn more about our organization.
The Chattanooga Chapter No. 50 was chartered in 1956. Our members are employed in a wide variety of fields. Although many of our members hold certifications such as CPA or CMA, this is not a requirement for membership. The Chattanooga Chapter is dedicated to achieving our mission through monthly technical lunch meetings, educational seminars, regional and national conferences. We provide scholarship opportunities on an annual basis. Our annual public relations function serves the community by providing information on current topics and increasing awareness of AFWA.
Official By Laws approved by the membership for 2025
On January 9, 2023 we said goodbye to our dear friend and a founding member of our local chapter of the organization.
Eleonore Hipp Williams, 99, of Chattanooga passed away peacefully on January 9, 2023 exactly 4 months shy of her 100th birthday.
Eleonore was a CPA with the Firm of Mauldin & Jenkins, PLLC (formerly Hazlett, Lewis & Bieter, PLLC). In 1997, after 50 years with the Firm she decided to take semi-retirement.
Eleonore was a member of many prestigious Professional Organizations such as Accounting and Financial Women's Alliance (formerly American Society of Women Accountants). She was a charter member of the Chattanooga chapter; she served as president 1960-1961 and 1970-1971; received the Chapter's first Women of Achievement Award in 1999. From 1973-1975 served as a director on the National Board; also served on National Nominating Committee and other areas of National responsibility; Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants; Chattanooga Tax Practitioners. In 2006 named Beta Alpha Psi Accountant of the Year by the Eta Kappa Chapter of Beta Alpha Psi at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
She was also active in many other organizations that were not professional affiliates such as the Cumberlands Hiking Club, where she was a member since 1976 and served 35 years as president, the Chattanooga Nature Center; served on the Board of Trustees for Bethel Bible Village; and the Board of Trustees for Public School Bible Study Committee.
AFWA Chattanooga is forever grateful to Eleonore for all that she did for our organization and will miss her dearly.
