 November/December 2000 (XXXVIII 5) |
hree years ago, PYM General Secretary Thom Jeavons invited Friends who he knew to be successful in the business world to join him for dinner. Eighteen such Friends responded, and many of them knew of more such Friends who would like to attend, so a second dinner was planned. These Friends delighted in knowing other Friends who made their living in the business world.
Many Friends remember when Quakers led the business community in Philadelphia. Friends rose to the top ranks of management in the major banks and insurance companies. Friends led many of the Delaware Valley’s leading manufacturing firms. One wonders, what did Friends bring to the world of business that made them so successful?
A year and a half ago, another such invitation was sent to Quaker lawyers. This invitation was warmly responded to, and again these Friends took great pleasure in socializing with other Friends who made their living in the legal profession. Many of Philadelphia’s leading law firms were founded by Friends, and today many Friends are senior partners in those same firms. One wonders, what do Friends bring to the practice of law that makes them so successful?
These questions are being discussed during the after-dinner dialogues of these two groups of Friends. Quaker integrity is alive and well among these Friends who labor among the world’s people each day. They bring consensus into business meetings. They reward years of service with workplace benefits and opportunities not easily found elsewhere. They bring their Quaker values to the worlds of business and law.
James Walvin, an English author and professor of history at York University, addressed the Friends in Business gathering in September to talk about his book, The Quakers, Money and Morals. This book traces the history of how Friends in the 18th and 19th centuries dominated the business world in England. As these Friends prospered they provided workplace medical clinics, scholarships for worker's children, honeymoon leave, and pensions. They provided these benefits a century or more before such benefits were seen elsewhere.
If you are a Friend who works in the worlds of business or law and wish to join these Friends in their discussions, please send your business card to Thomas Jeavons, General Secretary, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, 1515 Cherry Street, Philadelphia PA 19102.
Last modified: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:19 AM