A new student group to help female students make connections in business has brought new meaning to the word “broad,” the old-fashioned term associated with women.

The international women’s group called 85 Broads opened a Northwestern branch last April for students looking to network with others in interesting career fields.

Besides helping women form career connections, the group offers career advice and help with searching for jobs and internships, said Co-President Daryl Drabinsky.

“We’re all very driven women and want (85 Broads) to be at Northwestern for years to come,” Drabinsky said.

Today there are 60 students in NU’s branch of the organization, Drabinsky said.

One of them, Communication senior Kate Yeskey, decided to join 85 Broads after picking up a copy of “More Than 85 Broads” by Janet Hanson, 85 Broads’ founder. Reading these stories of women’s experiences in the business world inspired Yeskey to join the group, she said.

“There are so many amazing stories (in Hanson’s book) about their lives and careers,” Yeskey said. “I can’t fathom what I’ve read some of these women have done.”

But seniors searching for jobs after graduation aren’t the only ones who can take advantage of the group’s resources. At information sessions earlier this week, a majority of the attendees were freshmen.

“You get immediate advice from Northwestern peers and people older than you,” Drabinsky said.

Co-President Danielle Goldman, a Weinberg junior, said she recommends 85 Broads for students in any year of school and of every major.

“This is more of a global network for all different fields, so you can be interested in law, political science, entertainment or business,” she said.

Treasurer Kerry Burke, a Communication senior, said members have a “unique opportunity to learn and network with women who are at Kellogg (School of Management) as well as people who work in Chicago.”

The organization’s Internet database features more than 17,000 members and women from all business fields. Drabinsky said she hopes NU’s group will grow to 100 women by the end of the school year.

“Women everywhere in every career field can connect,” Drabinsky said. “What’s so unique about this is it’s not just like business, finance, consulting.”

The group will host philanthropy events in one month for Girls Incorporated, a national nonprofit youth organization that helps young women develop confidence. 85 Broads intends to sponsor a speaker during Winter Quarter, host networking events with alumni and create an NU alumni panel. The group also hopes to get recognized by Associated Student Government.

“Women in professional positions want to help other women, especially in industries more difficult to enter,” Yeskey said.

Students who decide to join the organization become lifelong members of a group which reaches outside of their undergraduate experience, Drabinsky said.

“Women can be very competitive with each other in today’s workforce because there’s not so much room for us at the top,” Drabinsky said. “This is just helping us help each other.”

Reach Kristin Ellertson at [email protected].