Connecting Locally ~ Uniting Nationally ~ Igniting Globally

Dear Members:

Well, November sure lived up to our theme. With only an hour time difference between here and St. Kitts, I won’t credit jet lag for the way I feel today. Blissfully exhausted and so happy to be home!

Less than 24 hours ago, I arrived home from an arduously fabulous 9 days in St. Kitts attending the 31st BPW International Congress. St. Kitts is the home of our outgoing Regional Coordinator, Dawne Williams. North America and the Caribbean Region served as hosts for this event and it was just wonderful!

I have to report how very proud I am of Team NFBPWC. Between our delegates, member-nominees, and attendees, Team NFBPWC, Team BPW-USA, Team Rosie… whatever you want to call us, we made a very favorable impression and made a lasting impact at this Congress. Our Rosie the Riveter / We Can Do It theme (and lunch boxes) was a hit and opened the door to many, many conversations with our international sisters.

Past International Presidents Dr. Yasmin Darwich and Liz Benham, and Past Executive Secretary Bessie Hironimus showed strength and poise as they presented their information to the Congress.

First time delegates Rosalind Scott, Emily VanVleck and Nermin Ahmad and Alice Gallop-West worked hard on your behalf as they boldly took to the microphone to discuss the merits of topics at hand. We were also grateful to have our more experienced delegate, Bessie Hironimus, for her counsel on presentation and conduct.

Sylvia Valine of Washington even got into the fray – as the Chief Scrutineer for the entire Congress.

Nermin Ahmad and Alice Gallop-West both presented workshops, in addition to being delegates. Nermin presented Women on the Move, and Alice’s Vision Board and Goal Setting workshop was so popular, that when another presenter had to back out at the last minute, she presented it a second time.

Serving as Standing Committee Chairs for the International Board, Francesca Burak (NYC) and Sher Singh(CA) were vital to our team effort, as well. Very happy to report that Francesca was elected VP Membership for BPW International and Sher Singh will continue for another term as Standing Committee Chair for Arts and Culture.

Did you know that you can be a member of more than one BPW? When it came to electing a Vice President for United Nations, we (USA) were admittedly challenged.

While their nominations did not come from USA, three of the four candidates are members of NFBPWC. Members Neelima Basnet (California), Larisa Miller (Virtual) and Kelly Talon Franklin (Virtual) all ran for this position. Neelima was nominated by BPW – UK, Kelly by BPW Canada, and Larisa by BPW Galway. All three compounded the challenge by making very compelling presentations. Our heartfelt congratulations to Neelima for her election.

I hope you will help me make welcome our new BPW International President, Diana Barragan, and our new Regional Coordinator, Karin Gorgerat.

Karin is from BPW Canada, where she is the BPW Immediate Past President and a member of Hastings & Prince Edward, Ontario, Canada. She is a terrific leader and we look forward to the next three years under her guidance as the Regional Coordinator for North America and the Caribbean.

During the Regional Meeting for North American and the Caribbean, your very own Bryn Norrie was named as the Young BPW Representative for our Region. Congratulations, Bryn! We know you will be great!

Our new International President is Diana Barragan. A past Regional Coordinator for Latin America, Diana is a member of BPW Peru, and has already shared her theme for the Triennium:

“Innovate, Inspire, Empower, Transform – Together We Shape a Sustainable Future”

Between the festivities, the Pre and Post Congress Board meetings and the Congress itself, it will take quite a while to “unpack it all” as the saying goes.

Look for photos and more from the rest of Team NFBPWC further into this magazine and in future posts to the Facebook page.

The future is very bright for BPW if the Congress is any indication.

…and yes! We have a new President! And a new Executive. More about that in the International Congress Section.

Best wishes to you all as 2025 comes closer and closer. It will be here before you know it!

A Warm Welcome to December, my friends!

Barbara Bozeman
President, NFBPWC