The NETWORK OF EXECUTIVE WOMEN IN HOSPITALITY, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1984 in Los Angeles by a group of women who shared a common bond in their work. Los Angeles had become a leader in the design of interior spaces for hotels, motels, resorts, restaurants, cruise ships and other commercial properties that catered to the traveler, and these women worked in areas relating to hospitality design. Some were designers, some did purchasing of FF&E (furniture, fixtures and equipment) for these properties, while others were involved in manufacturing or distributing furnishings or supplies developed to meet the special needs of these enterprises.

There was a common feeling among many women working in the hospitality field at that time, that although some women had "made it" professionally, women in general were not fully accepted. Dorrit St. John, then President of Purchase Services Limited suggested to Susan Spalding, then with S. Harris, and Shelia Lohmiller of Lohmiller Associates, that they get together and discuss what they could do to change the status quo.

As the three women talked they developed the idea that those who had established careers could lend their support and share their experiences with some of the younger women just entering the field. This idea of women helping women then formed the basis for the establishment of the organization.

In August, 1984 they brought together ten women who met at the Velvet Turtle restaurant in West Los Angeles. The additional women, and their affiliations at the time, included:

Frances Farwell, Frances Farwell Sources
Karen Hirsch, Republic Furniture
Carol Judd, Barry Design
Claire Koch, Design Interpretation
Judy Rosen, Republic Furniture
Vicky Soffe, Keeler Foods
Liz Westley, Foodservice Equipment Representative
Glenda Wong Yee, Hilton Equipment Corporation

These women formed the nucleus of the organization, and planned the first official meeting of NEWH which was held in November, 1984 at the Cheesecake Factory in Marina del Rey, California, with 44 women in attendance.

The goal of NEWH then, as now, is to promote a high standard of achievement for women in hospitality and related fields. As the organization became better established, the original idea of networking and mentoring grew to include awarding scholarships to young women studying to enter the industry.

In 1987 the Southern Counties Chapter was established to serve women in Orange and San Diego Counties, California. NEWH published a NEWHsletter several times each year, and distributed it to members of the industry throughout the country. Supporters – both men and women – from all over learned about NEWH, and many traveled to Los Angeles in December to attend the annual "Gala." Many women became "Members at Large." As interest grew, so did requests from women in several cities to form Chapters so they could attend monthly meetings and receive the other benefits of membership.

Beginning with Southern Counties, NEWH added new Chapters quickly: