What Are You Building?

As a Young BPW, take some time and answer these questions for yourself.

1. What are you working on right now (personally or professionally or both)?
2. What does success look like for you five years from now?
3. What professional challenge keeps you up at night?
4. What skills are you actively trying to develop right now?
5. What kind of training would move the needle for you?
6. If you had the right support, what would you attempt?

Your voice matters. If you are willing to share, please send your responses to youngbpw@nfbpwc.org.

Your insight will directly shape what comes next.

Taking Action, Not Silence: A Practical Guide for Women Facing Violence

“Silence is safer for systems—but deadly for women.”

This simple line captures the essence of a difficult truth: the world may not always protect you—but you can protect yourself, wisely and safely, with knowledge, allies, and action.

Violence against women is a reality many of us fear but hope we never encounter. Yet, it happens across communities, cultures, and ages, and the consequences—physical, emotional, and social—can be devastating.

The truth is, laws and systems exist to protect women, but they often fail in practice. So what can women do to protect themselves and reclaim agency without increasing risk?

This cheat-sheet is a practical, research-backed guide for taking informed, empowered action.

1. Understanding Your Rights and Legal Limits

Self-defense is your legal right in the United States, but it comes with rules that vary by state. The key principles are immediacy, proportionality, and necessity:

• Immediacy: Force can only be used to stop an ongoing or imminent threat. Reacting to a past attack does not qualify.
• Proportionality: Use only enough force to stop the threat or escape. Using excessive force can turn a legal defense into criminal liability.
• Necessity: Defensive action is justified only when there is no reasonable alternative. If escape is possible without force, the law expects it.

Knowing these limits helps women act confidently if attacked while minimizing their legal risk. But remember: even when acting within the law, women may face scrutiny, police questioning, or legal processes to prove that self-defense was justified. Marginalized women often face additional disbelief or bias, making documentation and support even more important.

Many women do not realize that they have rights, especially if they are abused within their families, notably by one of their parents. The trade-off, competing for your parent’s affection v. escaping abuse, can be overwhelming and enormously destructive. How to best exercise self-defense in such cases? At UNCSW70 on March 16, 2026, I hope to find out as I moderate a panel where a survivor of parental abuse managed to escape – even though she was well in her 30’s!

2. Physical Self-Defense: What You Need to Know

Physical self-defense is about survival, not punishment. Techniques and tools are valuable, but the goal is always to stop harm and escape safely.

Here are practical guidelines:

• React only to an immediate threat. Avoid retaliation after the fact.
• Use minimal, proportional force. Striking, blocking, or using an improvised tool should be focused on stopping the attacker.
• Seek escape whenever possible. Even a successful defensive action can have social or legal consequences, so exiting the situation is often the safest route.

Many women find empowerment in learning defensive skills, whether martial arts, wielding pepper spray, or situational awareness. The key is preparation, not confrontation. Project the confidence you have gained to keep danger from finding you.

3. Social Costs: Why Action Can Be Complicated

Even when the law protects you, acting against aggression can carry social costs. Women who defend themselves or report violence often encounter:

• Victim-blaming from peers, family, or institutions
• Community backlash in cultures or neighborhoods where silence is expected 
• Emotional and psychological tolls of reliving trauma during reporting or legal proceedings

This does not mean staying silent – but it does mean planning any action you will undertake after an attack – with a support network, your safety, and clear next steps.

Hiding in isolation increases your vulnerability, while finding allies amplifies your resolve and adds to your safety.

I once helped a woman escape a dire situation – but it took a year to have all the elements in place to avoid her drifting back to the safety of a hell she found familiar.

4. Safe Action: Principles for Empowered Choices

To act effectively without unnecessary risk, follow these guiding principles:

• Understand your rights and limits. Know state laws, self-defense statutes, and local reporting procedures. Document everything. Obtain witnesses.
• Prioritize safety first. Your immediate goal is survival and minimizing harm. Avoid risky actions when alone or without backup.
• Use trusted support systems. This includes friends, family, advocacy groups, legal aid, and hotlines. Never feel you must act in isolation, and yet – trust carefully.
• Document and report carefully. Collect evidence safely if possible. Report when it’s safe to do so, ideally with support from a trusted individual or organization.
• Empowerment over retaliation. Action is about regaining agency and safety, not seeking revenge. Silence may feel safe, but it allows harm to continue unchecked.

Consider: “Empowered action is informed, supported, and safe—silence is never the only option.”

5. Speaking Out: Why Silence Is Dangerous

Stories like those in The Hunting Ground, a documentary about sexual assault on college campuses, highlight the cost of silence. Survivors often suffer long-term trauma while institutions prioritize reputation over safety. Silence protects the system, not people. Acting, whether through reporting, seeking counseling, or advocacy, disrupts the cycle of harm.

Even if speaking out is emotionally taxing, it signals to aggressors and communities that violence is unacceptable. It also strengthens legal and social pathways for others. The goal isn’t just personal justice—it’s systemic change.

When I first saw the movie at NYU, several young men stood during the Q & A, in tears. They honestly had believed their peers – when a girl says no, it means yes - they just want you to use more force. I, just, … wow.

6. Support Networks and Resources

You are not alone.

Numerous organizations provide guidance, advocacy, and legal support:

• RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): Hotline 1-800-656-HOPE, online resources, and confidential reporting.
• Local NGOs and women’s shelters: Many provide safe housing, legal aid, and counseling.
• Community networks: Friends, family, and trusted colleagues are key allies.

Films and media as education: The Hunting Ground, An Army of Women, Thappad, Uyare, Damini—these explore systemic failures and the power of action.

Documenting and learning from these resources equips women to make informed decisions in high-stakes situations.

7. Bottom Line: Action Over Silence

Violence against women is complex, frightening, and often systemically ignored. Yet there is power in informed, supported action.

Self-defense, legal knowledge, and social support aren’t just tools, they are lifelines.

Silence may feel safe, but it guarantees continued harm, isolation, and trauma and leaves the perpetrator free to harm others. Informed action, however small, reclaims agency, protects your body and mind, and challenges societal norms that allow aggression to persist.

Nermin K. Ahmad
National Secretary
2024-2026
Secretary@nfbpwc.org

March is a powerful month for gender equality. As we celebrate Women’s His-tory Month, International Women's Day, and convene alongside global leaders at the 70th Annual Commission on the Sta-tus of Women (CSW).

During this month, we are also reminded that progress for women and girls is nei-ther automatic nor guaranteed, but is driven by consistent, strategic, and cou-rageous advocacy.

Your advocacy committee has been working non-stop to create tools and op-portunities to flex your advocacy skills, and we hope you take advantage of the ample opportunities for action this month.

International Women’s Day: More Than a Celebration

International Women’s Day (March 8) calls on us to reflect not only on how far women have come, but also on the structural barriers that remain. From wage inequality to gender-based vio-lence, from underrepresentation in lead-ership to attacks on reproductive autono-my, the fight for equality requires coordinated action at every level.

This month, we encourage every member to:

• Contact one elected official about an is-sue affecting wom-en in your state.
• Share a fact or call-to-action on social media.
• Support women-owned businesses in your community.

Small actions, taken collectively, create systemic change.

The Equal Rights Amendment: The 28th Amendment Campaign

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) meets the constitutional requirements for ratification, yet it has not been for-mally recognized as the 28th Amend-ment to the U.S. Constitution. As advo-cates, we know that equality under the law should never be up for debate.

NFBPWC continues our “28th” campaign by calling for a financial boycott on the 28th of each month. You can participate by skipping any non-essential spending, and if you must make a purchase, try to buy from a small business.

We also call on members to engage in advocacy efforts by contacting legisla-tors, educating others, or sharing our graphics online.

Advocacy Tools: Strengthening Our Collective Impact 

Earlier this year, the Advocacy Commit-tee launched new tools designed to help members take action with confidence and clarity:

• How to Advocate Guide – Step-by-step strategies for engaging elected officials and policymakers. (You will find a reproduction of the slides for a presentation on this guide on pX.)
• Legislative Screening Team Guide – A roadmap for forming state or local teams to monitor and evaluate legisla-tion.
• Legislative Tracking Sheet – A prac-tical tool to help clubs stay orga-nized and informed.
• Advocacy Hub - The next pages of the Advocacy Hub have been completed, and we are one step closer to unveiling this tool to our members. Stay tuned for updates!

Advocacy does not require a law degree. It requires information, coordination, and commitment — and we now have the infra-structure to support every member who wants to lead. A workshop outlining these tools was held in January - the recording is available on the website.

If you have not yet accessed these re-sources, March is the perfect time to begin.

Global Conversations, Local Action

As we engage with conversations happen-ing at CSW, we must remember that inter-national frameworks only become mean-ingful when translated into local change. Policies affecting pay equity, childcare, workplace protections, and violence pre-vention are shaped in state legislatures, city councils, and school boards.

NFBPWC members are uniquely positioned to bridge global commitments and local implementation. We are professionals, community lead-ers, and advocates with both exper-tise and lived ex-perience.

Endometriosis Awareness Month

Among all the events happening during March, we also observe Endo-metriosis Aware-ness Month. This offers an oppor-tunity to bring awareness to this debilitating condition that affects over 1 in 10 women glob-ally and takes years to diagnose. The color yellow is the official color to represent en-dometriosis awareness, and we encourage members to post a photo on their social media platforms of themselves (alone or with friends) wearing yellow with the hashtag #EndometriosisAwarenessMonth.

However you plan to commemorate the month of March, please take a moment to advocate for gender equity. Whether it’s through attending a CSW event, sharing a campaign on social media, or contacting your elected officials, small actions make all the difference.

Make sure to check out our social media pages throughout the month to review our Women’s History Month posts honoring his-toric women of note.

Emily VanVleck
National VP Advocacy
2024-2026
vpadvocacy@nfbpwc.org

What Did We Do? What Can You Do?

M is for March.

M is for Momentum.

As members, it’s natural to ask:

What can I do?

But it’s equally important to share: What have we done? What are we doing?

What We Did

Over the past month, the Membership Committee has been working to strengthen your experience as members.

We have focused on clarity in our messaging. We have been working to ensure what we say, what we offer, and what members experience is consistent, practical, and valuable. This includes updating and clarifying Member Benefits information, working on revisions for the Membership brochure, and overhauling existing guidance for building and operating clubs.

We know you want membership to feel structured, supportive, and accessible.

What Can You Do?

Membership is not always a passive thing.

Here are 4 meaningful steps you can take in March:

• Reflect on one professional goal and identify how BPW can support it.
• Share one BPW event or post on your personal social media.
• Attend one virtual parallel event forCSW.
• Complete the BPW Listens Member Survey presented by BPW International. (Use the link below.)

TAKE THE SURVEY

You’ve already received a few emails encouraging you to complete the survey. It is a JotForm and according to those who’ve already taken it, it should require only about 15-20 minutes of your time.

*Please note that if you do not fill out the form completely, it will not be submitted. If you are concerned about anonymity, the system does not track emails, and you can answer “NFBPWC” and “USA” where it asks for Affiliate and City.

Send us your feedback, ideas, or reflections at vpmembership@nfbpwc.org

From Awareness to Action: How Heart of a Woman Changed my Perspective

In 2018, NFBPWC began a powerful partnership with Houston Methodist Hospital and the vibrant NFBPWC Houston organization. I attended the inaugural event alongside 2016–2018 NFBPWC President Elizabeth Benham, unaware at the time that heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States.

Under the leadership of NFBPWC Houston President Paola Ferrari, the local organization worked closely with national leadership and Houston Methodist to create what became the Heart of a Woman event—an impactful partnership that continues today.

Its legacy endures by “educating physicians, nurses, and the entire care team about the gender-specific symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of heart disease, and how women can proactively improve their own heart health.” Find more information here.

When I attended the Heart of a Woman conference, I had not yet been diagnosed with high blood pressure. Listening to the stories of women—both younger and older than me—was enlightening and deeply moving.

I heard accounts of women whose symptoms were dismissed in emergency rooms, whose experiences were discounted by medical professionals, and who had to fight to receive appropriate care.

I also learned from physicians who were passionate about closing the knowledge gap around women and heart disease in order to save lives.

That experience fundamentally shifted my perspective. When I received my own diagnosis in 2020, I drew on what I had learned, revisiting the information and beginning my medical journey informed, empowered, and prepared.

With all my heart—pun intended—I strongly encourage our members to attend the upcoming Heart of a Woman event on February 6, 2026. What you learn truly might save a life.

Register here.

MEGAN SHELLMAN-RICKARD
Immediate Past President
2024-2026

Heart of a Woman: What do those words mean to you?

Anatomically women have smaller and more delicate hearts compared to men.

In contrast, when someone uses the idiom ‘she’s all heart’ it means that a woman is kind, caring, and generous. Women are the heart of most families and organizations. Women are strong and determined to keep their hearts protected and do their best to protect the hearts of others. What are some things you need to do to protect your heart? Change your diet, your standards, your schedule? Make sure you prioritize your heart in all that you do.

Dr. Joanne Carfoli Naylor
National Treasurer
2024-2026
treasurer@nfbpwc.org

Equity, Balance, and Confidentiality in Nonprofit Leadership

After giving this subject some thought, I decided to research and understand it better. This article incorporates my research into a single document, for my benefit and that of anyone else interested in expanding their understanding.

Nonprofit leaders operate in an environment where scrutiny is constant and often personal. Unlike the private sector, nonprofit work is fueled by mission, trust, and public confidence—making it especially vulnerable to destabilization. When individuals inside or outside an organization call leadership, strategy, or integrity into question, the response cannot be reactive or performative. It must be disciplined, principled, and strategically restrained.

Equanimity in nonprofit leadership begins with unwavering clarity of mission. When the purpose is clear, destabilizing narratives lose their power. Leaders grounded in mission can assess criticism without internalizing it. They understand that not all challenges are about improvement; some are about control, fear of change, or competing agendas. The ability to discern motive is essential. Responding to every accusation as if it were valid feedback is a costly mistake.

Nonprofit leaders often face pressure to “be transparent” in ways that are neither ethical nor responsible. Transparency is frequently misunderstood as full disclosure. In reality, ethical leadership requires discernment. Many nonprofit decisions involve confidential donor information, sensitive partnerships, personnel matters, or vulnerable populations. Disclosing prematurely or excessively to satisfy critics can violate trust, compromise safety, and undermine the mission itself.

Every woman’s success should be an inspiration to another,

we’re strongest when we cheer each other on. -Serena Williams

Confidentiality is not secrecy—it is stewardship. Leaders who safeguard information signal stability and seriousness. Those who breach confidentiality to defend themselves erode credibility and invite further destabilization. Once confidentiality is compromised, trust fractures—internally with staff and boards, and externally with funders and beneficiaries. The damage is rarely reversible.

Balance under attack requires emotional discipline. Destabilization often works by provoking urgency and moral panic. Nonprofit leaders are  articularly susceptible because they care deeply about impact and reputation. But urgency is not a strategy. Leaders who respond emotionally, defensively, or publicly escalate conflict shift attention away from mission outcomes. Calm, measured leadership deprives destabilizing forces of momentum.

A sharper truth must be stated: not every critic deserves a platform. In nonprofit spaces, criticism is often framed as accountability, but accountability has structure. It operates through boards, audits, governance processes, and defined channels—not through rumor, social pressure, or informal campaigns. Leaders who bypass governance to appease noise weaken the organization and set dangerous precedents. 

Equanimity also depends on role clarity. When nonprofit leaders blur boundaries—attempting to be emotionally available to everyone while making high-stakes decisions—they become vulnerable to manipulation. Strong leadership requires holding the line between compassion and authority. One can be humane without being porous. Balance is not softness; it is containment.

Confidential counsel is essential. No nonprofit leader should manage destabilization alone. A tight circle of board leadership, legal advisors, and senior staff—aligned around mission and ethics—provides perspective and protection. These relationships allow leaders to process complexity without exposure, to refine strategy without leakage, and to remain steady in public.

Process is the nonprofit leader’s strongest defense. Clear documentation, ethical frameworks, board oversight, and decision trails shift the conversation from personality to principle. Destabilization thrives in ambiguity. Strong governance starves it. Leaders who invest in process do not need to over-explain; the organization speaks for itself.

It is also critical to accept that some people will misunderstand—or deliberately misrepresent—the work. Nonprofits engaged in change often disrupt existing power structures. Resistance is not evidence of failure. Attempting to correct every narrative is a distraction. Leaders who remain focused on outcomes, not optics, preserve momentum.

A sharp nonprofit leader understands this: silence, when intentional, is not avoidance—it is authority. Choosing not to engage publicly can protect beneficiaries, staff, and partners. It signals confidence in governance and trust in time. Over-communication, by contrast, often signals instability.

Finally, equanimity requires long-range thinking. Missions unfold over years, not news cycles. Leaders who hold the long view are less reactive and more decisive. They know that credibility is built through consistency, not constant defense.

In nonprofit leadership, composure is not a personality trait—it is an ethical obligation. Equanimity protects the mission. Balance protects the people. Confidentiality protects trust. Leaders who can hold all three under pressure do more than survive destabilization; they strengthen the institution’s capacity to serve.

True nonprofit leadership is revealed not in moments of praise, but in moments of pressure. Those who hold the center when challenged preserve the work that matters most.

Nermin K. Ahmad
National Secretary
2024-2026
Secretary@nfbpwc.org

Advocacy is at the heart of the National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs. It is how we translate our values into impact, transform lived experiences into policy change, and ensure that women’s voices are not only heard—but acted upon.

As we move forward together, this moment calls for renewed energy, sharpened tools, and collective action.

On February 7th, NFBPWC will host Grow Your Advocacy Efforts: Tools, Tactics, and Best Practices, a dynamic event designed to empower members at every stage of their advocacy journey.

Whether you are new to policy engagement or a seasoned advocate, this session will introduce new advocacy tools available for all members to elevate your impact.

We will explore how to build a local legislative watch team, effectively engage elected officials, leverage coalition power, communicate issues with clarity, and sustain advocacy efforts over time.

Advocacy is not a one-time action, it is a skill set, and like any skill, it grows stronger when nurtured intentionally.

We are also continuing our ongoing financial boycott in support of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). On the 28th of each month we encourage members to halt spending, and to do this every month until the ERA is enshrined in the Constitution as the 28th Amendment. Economic power has long been a catalyst for social change and this action is a reminder that advocacy extends beyond legislative chambers. By aligning our spending with our values, we send a clear message: equality is non-negotiable.

The ERA represents a fundamental promise—that rights shall not be denied or abridged on the basis of sex—and our collective participation reinforces the urgency of its recognition and en-forcement.

These actions reflect a broader truth about advocacy within BPW:

I encourage every member to engage in the ways that feel most accessible and sustainable to you. Advocacy is not about perfection; it is about persistence. When we act collectively, we build a future where gender equity is not aspirational but guaranteed.

Emily VanVleck
National VP Advocacy
2024-2026
vpadvocacy@nfbpwc.org

A Moment to Reflect and Reconnect

Membership is not a fixed thing, nor is it meant to stand still over time. It shifts as our lives, careers, and priorities shift. Taking a moment to be clear about what you want from this year helps ensure your membership remains relevant, meaningful, and aligned with where you are now.

February is a great time to pause and take stock of your place in BPW. Not because anything is wrong, but because with our recent annual membership update and as we now look ahead – as YOU look ahead to 2026 and ask the questions: How did 2025 go? and How do I want 2026 to be for me?

BPW International is also in reflection mode, with an eye toward what comes next. In the coming weeks, you will receive a notification from NFBPWC with a link to a member survey that has been created through a collaboration of the regions. Sandy Thompson is our Ambassador (NAC) for this effort. For more information about the survey – please read Sandy’s article and when you receive the link, please give it your thoughtful attention. Your voice is an important part of our picture.

The Membership Committee has been busy working on reviewing and updating our membership touchpoints. We are reviewing the Membership Brochure, the Membership Benefits page, and other areas of the website. Not only are we looking at language and layout, but also clarity. We want to be sure what we present to the world aligns with what we offer and what our members find of value. The Affiliates are either in the process of finishing their individual brochures or have already completed them.

So let us pause and ask you this:

February Call to Action for Members:

Membership
vpmembership@nfbpwc.org

Send us your feedback, ideas, or reflections at vpmembership@nfbpwc.org

Women’s Leadership and Vision

Every woman has been a leader at least once in her life. My preschool friends are always asking to be the Line Leader. 

Yesterday, my friend Josie led the class to the office singing Christmas carols. She had a HUGE SMILE on her face as she was shaking her reindeer bells and singing. She noticed when she turned left everyone else followed and when she stopped everyone stopped too. I know with the right guidance and support she will continue to develop her leadership skills. Strong women leaders are everywhere!

Vision is also important for leading.

You need to know where you are going to lead your followers. For Josie, it was from the classroom to the office and back to the classroom. It was a simple vision, and it was successful.

I am sure she also had visions of the treats that waited in the classroom for after the singing trip. All visions start with a single goal. We all have a vision of how things could be ...we just need the right guidance and support!

Finding support for a vision is sometimes challenging, especially when tough decisions need to be made.

Supporters need guidance and support, too. Communication between the leader and supporters is key! Every vision includes modifications and accountability!

When a supporter decides they don't want to support the leadership or vision anymore, they may need to leave quietly, not talk negatively about the vision or leader they once supported.

The Suffragettes were strong women leaders with a vision for ALL WOMEN! They ALL experienced challenges and decided whether or not they would support the vision we continue to develop today, 107 years later.

I urge EVERY member of NFBPWC to review the vision of the organization and support the women who have decided to LEAD!

Step up and not just be counted but also accountable for upholding and continuing to develop future women leaders with a common vision: Empowering, educating, and supporting women to improve the lives of ALL women.

Start 2026 by UPDATING your NFBPWC membership profile! Help us start the new year with a CLEAR Vision of how you will support ALL WOMEN!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Dr. Joanne Carfoli Naylor
Treasurer