HOLLAND (WHTC) — During World War II and the booming post-war business that brought about a shortage of administrative personnel, adman Harry F. Klemfuss of Young and Rubicam partnered with the National Secretaries Association’s then-president, Mary Barrett, and Dictaphone Corp. President, C. King Woodbridge, to encourage more women to join the secretarial pool.
In 1952, they debuted National Professional Secretaries Week and National Secretary’s Day — now better known as Administrative Professionals Day, which falls on the Thursday of Administrative Professionals Week.
The National Secretaries Association formed in 1942 in Kansas City, MO, is now known as International Association of Administrative Professionals.
Though not a public holiday in the United States, people often celebrate by giving administrative professionals cards, flowers, chocolates, or even raises.
Here at WHTC and The Van, Administrative Assistant/Event Coordinator/Traffic Director Patty Vandenberg and Production Director Margie Boerman combined have dedicated 60 years of voicework, support, enthusiasm and organization.
Mary Ellen Murphy contributed to this story.
