Today is National Administrative Professionals Day, also called National Secretary’s Day. National Professional Secretaries Week and National Secretaries Day were created in 1952 through the work of Harry F. Klemfuss of Young and Rubicam. Klemfuss recognized the importance and value of the secretarial position, to a company or business and management. His goal in creating this day was to encourage more women to become secretaries. (Nowadays, that would be both women and men). Using his skill and experience in public relations, Klemfuss, promoted the values and importance of the job that secretaries do. In doing so, he also created the holiday in recognition of the importance of secretaries.

The name of this special day has changed and evolved over the past few decades. Yet, the importance of recognizing these vital individuals has continued to grow. The two new terms in use today are: “Administrative Professionals” and “Executive Administrators (or Admins)”. The two names sometimes mean different roles and responsibilities in different companies and organizations. Both are broader terms, that encompass more positions than the original “Secretary” role.

The name change recognizes and acknowledges that the role has changed significantly since 1952, and for the better at that.  We think Klemfuss would agree with the evolution of Secretary’s Day. In Harry Klemfuss’ day, these positions were the realm of women. Today, you find males in these positions, too.

Did You Know? This professional position is also sometimes called “Executive Admin”.