The History Of Secretary's Day
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This
annual event was originally organized in 1952 as "National
Secretaries Week" by the National Secretaries Association (now
known as the International Association of Administrative
Professionals) in conjunction with public relations executive
Harry Klemfuss and a consortium of office product
manufacturers. It was established as an effort to recognize
secretaries for their contributions in the workplace, and to
attract people to secretarial, administrative careers. In the
year 2000, IAAP announced a name change for Professional
Secretaries Week and Professional Secretaries Day. The names
were changed to Administrative Professionals Week and
Administrative Professionals Day to keep pace with changing
job titles and expanding responsibilities of today’s
administrative workforce.
Over the years, Administrative Professionals Week has
become one of the largest workplace observances. The event is
celebrated worldwide, bringing together millions of people for
community events, educational seminars, and individual
corporate activities recognizing support staff with gifts of
appreciation. Although the purpose of the celebration is
sometimes altered, and even maligned, by other groups and
individuals, a tremendous amount of publicity is obtained for
the profession during this time.
Today, there are more than 3.9 million secretaries and
administrative assistants working in the United States,
according to U.S. Department of Labor statistics, and 8.9
million people working in various administrative support
roles. In Canada, there are 500,000 administrative
professionals, which includes 402,600 secretaries, 11,900
executive assistants, and 94,000 clerical supervisors.
Millions more work in offices all over the world.
Now you know a little more about Secretary's Day! |
