By: Daneene Monroe Rusnak
Vice President of Advocacy, NFBPWC 2020-2024

OCP Update and Reminders: 

• Be an advocate for menstrual equity! We have a new OCP campaign supporting the Menstrual Equity for All Act introduced by Rep. Grace Meng  [D-NY-6]. Click hereto contact your MOC today (and beyond!) 

• Don’t forget to use our digital advocacy platform to show your support for the ERAand Voting Rightswhile encouraging your MOC’s to do the same! You can complete these actions multiple times. Consider making it a weekly (or daily?????) habit.The more messages received, the more they listen…..and hopefully, take favorable action!

• Sign up for our Advocacy Text Alerts oText the keyword “advocate1919” to the number 313131 

• You should instantly receive a “Welcome” message oIf you do NOT receive a Welcome message, try texting the keyword “advocate1919” to the number 716-271-7872 

If neither of those options work, please email VP of Advocacy, Daneene Monroe Rusnak at vpadvocacy@nfbpwc.org   

By: Kathy Kelly
1st Vice President of Membership, NFBPWC (2021-2024)

WELCOME NEW AND RENEWING MEMBERS IN FEBRUARY!

New	Armanda Carter	Michigan
New	Larissa Nkwuli	New York
New	Antoniette Fu	Virtual / New York
New	Damowa Biah	Student / Colorado
Renew	Bryn Norrie	Student/ Virginia
New	Tina Thomas	Pennsylvania
New	Vanessa Gardner	Pennsylvania
New	Abby Sue Schappell	Pennsylvania
New	Susan M. Vladika	Pennsylvania
New	Susan Horst	Virtual - Maryland
New	Barbara Eichorn	Virtual - Maryland
New	Sharon Jacobs	Virtual - Maryland
New	Margie Kotzalas	Virtual - Maryland
New	Deborah Pafel	Virtual - Maryland
New	Barbara Jean Maresca	Pennsylvania
New	Jacob Heikes	Virtual / New York
New	Katie Bertke	Jackson - Michigan
New	Kathrryn Rivest	Jackson - Michigan
New	Jeannette Feldner	Jackson - Michigan

DOUBLE or MORE in ’24 is on track with 75 new members so far this year!  Please be on the lookout for an email from VP Membership Kathy Kelly to confirm Sponsors to receive special awards at Biennial. 

BPW Maryland (Heritage)  

BPW Maryland recently partnered with NFBPWC to introduce their members to our updated Lifelong Leadership & Learning modules.  Many thanks to Nancy “Sparkles” Warner of BPW Pennsylvania for working closely with Maryland leaders President Alicia Hannon, Susan Horst, Sharon Jacob, and Margie Kotzalas.  The L3 Sessions included Business Etiquette, Goal Setting and Negotiations.  We appreciated their opening the invitation the public.   

A shout-out to Virtual President Barbara Bozeman for her support with these presentations and her famous Wheel of BPW Fortune.  We were excited to “spin off” two free memberships in NFBPWC to the nonmembers in attendance.   

A special BPW Welcome to new Virtual Club members: 

Lenita Walker  (Maryland) 

Jeannette Feldner  (Maryland) 

BPW Louisiana (Heritage)  

What a joy and privilege it was to spend time with the wonderful members of BPW Louisiana (Heritage).  VP Kathy Kelly attended their 104^th State Conference June 7 – 8 in beautiful Baton Rouge.   

State President Rene Hollins concluded her successful term theme “Together We Can Do It” with reports from BPW leaders from around the state.  Highlights included keynote speaker Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome, the All-White reception, and installation of incoming State President Doretha Bennett.

BPW LA Executive Committee (L-R): Doretha Bennett, Lisamarie Brandon, Linda  Burns,Rene Hollins and Angie Jackson-Wilson at the "All White" banquet.

The NFBPWC Executive Committee is proud to announce the inception of a new biennial membership award.
Introducing the
Lena Madesin Phillips Distinguished Member Award

The Lena Madesin Phillips Distinguished Member Award has been established to be the most prestigious honor bestowed upon members of our organization. This award will recognize an individual who has demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership, and impact within the organization and beyond. The recipient of this award is an exemplary role model who has significantly contributed to the advancement of our mission and has made a lasting and meaningful difference in the lives of others.

You now have the opportunity to be a part of history by nominating a member to be considered for our very first Lena Madisen Phillips Distinguished Member Award; presented at our Biennial Conference. Please use the criteria below when considering your candidate.

*Nominations must be received by 11:59pm PT on July 1, 2024*

Nomination Criteria:

Candidates for the LMP Distinguished Member Award:

• must be a current member of NFBPWC for at least 2 years, in good standing;
• has made recent meaningful contributions to NFBPWC (via programming, advocacy, outreach, and leadership);
• has exemplified and embodied the attributes consistent with the mission statement of the organization;

Please refrain from nominating current Executive Committee members or Affiliate, State, or Federation Presidents.

Pride and Advocating for Equal Rights

As we celebrate the idea that “love is love” and recognize Pride Month, please take a moment to consider current events and how intricately interconnected we all are as members of the NFBPWC community. Writing one of my final President’s letters has me awash in many emotions about what it means to be a woman and a human rights advocate in the USA, and the world, in the 21^st century.

Members are stepping up across the nation as leaders both in the organization and in their own communities. We come from various backgrounds. Some of us are cisgender women, some identify as LGBTQAI+, some are mothers, some chose not to or could not become mothers, some members are men, some are religious (Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist), some are atheist or agnostic, most of us are daughters, all of us had mothers, and all of us joined the original working women’s organization, NFBPWC. Being unique individuals supporting our NFBPWC mission to develop the professional, business and leadership potential of women at all levels is what guides us. We are at a moment in history where we must stand together for our fundamental human rights, to be treated as whole complete citizens in the “We the People” of the United States of America.

During the past two terms, we have reinvigorated our organization. We have seen an incredible growth in membership and engagement. Women’s rights have become a table talk issue across the country. In simple interactions, when people find out about NFBPWC and the role in which I serve as president, I hear both hope and fear. Women, and girls, are no longer confident in their abilities to be autonomous human beings. I appreciate this organization, for so many reasons, and I recognize how important it is to have our history and our commitment to women’s rights so deeply valued. As you read through this month’s magazine, you will see that our members were touched by many of the issues that the month of May brought forward: reproductive justice and bodily autonomy, the Equal Rights Amendment (and the hope of full passage, finally), environmental concerns, LGBTQAI+ issues, Women on the Move, education, advocacy, and even the USPS.

Collectively, our influence is stronger. We can accomplish more by raising our voices together. The women of today need to hear us. The women of tomorrow want to see us standing strong against misogyny, racism, violence, and injustice. We have the power to make a difference as we continue to honor our interconnectedness as humans, more specifically as women.

Please remember, you have an opportunity to provide constructive input and to find your own unique path in this organization. This is a chance to develop your potential, and that of NFBPWC, in a safe and welcoming space. Please continue to bring your ideas, projects, and your own light forward. Let us celebrate our successes as individuals and as an organization! Please accept my personal invitation to all NFBPWC members to join us at our Biennial Conference in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, or our Hybrid option, July 18-21, 2024. Look for details on our website: www.nfbpwc.org.

We offer a community to each other, one in which we can find solace and solutions. And let us not forget to be kind and accepting of each member’s journey in this organization as we endure these extraordinary moments of history (and herstory). NFBPWC is truly living our theme for this biennium: Cultivate Connections, Create Community. Sending personal wishes of celebration, health, and progress around the globe! Pride and Advocating for Equal Rights

Kind Regards,

Megan Shellman-Rickard
NBPWC President (2020-2024)

By: Daneene Monroe Rusnak, 2^nd Vice President of Advocacy, NFBPWC 2020-2024

Platform Proposals 

Your Platform Proposals have been received! Thank you for your submissions. 

We will discuss and vote on the proposed changes at the Biennial Conference.  

To prepare, please take a moment to reviewthe information here.  

Discharge Petition Update 

We now have 212 signatures on the discharge petition for HJ Res 25. Representative Timothy Kennedy [D-Ny26] added his signature on May 21^st. We know need only 6 more signatures!!!  

Please continue to spread the word and encourage other representatives to sign.  

To review which legislators have signed the discharge petition and which legislators we still need to encourage, check this list to see who the current signatories are.   

Wondering what to say to your legislators??? 

Click the link below for suggested verbiage to use when connecting with your representative about the Discharge Petition for HJ Res 25 

Suggested Verbiage for Discharge Petition Support 

Share this information with folks you know who are constituents of the representatives who have not yet signed. 

OCP Update and Reminders: 

• Be an advocate for menstrual equity! We have a new OCP campaign supporting the Menstrual Equity for All Act introduced by Rep. Grace Meng  [D-NY-6]. Click hereto contact your MOC today (and beyond!) 

• Don’t forget to use our digital advocacy platform to show your support for the ERAand Voting Rightswhile encouraging your MOC’s to do the same! You can complete these actions multiple times. Consider making it a weekly (or daily?????) habit. The more messages received, the more they listen…..and hopefully, take favorable action! 

• Sign up for our Advocacy Text Alerts oText the keyword “advocate1919” to the number 313131 

▪You should instantly receive a “Welcome” message oIf you do NOT receive a Welcome message, try texting the keyword “advocate1919” to the number 716-271-7872 

If neither of those options work, please email VP of Advocacy, Daneene Monroe Rusnak at vpadvocacy@nfbpwc.org   

By: Sandra Thompson,
NFBPWC’s Immediate Past President 

In Memory – as is our tradition at the Biennial General Assembly we will remember those that have passed away. 

President Megan has asked me to conduct this memorial.    

So, as we gather in July, let us take a moment to remember and honor those who are no longer with us. 

Please send to me at immpastpresident@nfbpwc.org the names of any members who have passed away since August 2022.   Please include a short bio and a picture. 

PLEASE PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION BY JUNE 20, 2024. 

Let us recall the moments we shared and the lessons we learned from those who have departed.  Each life that touched ours has left an indelible mark.

By: Sondra Nunez, NFBPWC Secretary 2022-2024 
Still I Rise 
BY MAYA ANGELOU  

You may write me down in history 

With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me in the very dirt 

But still, like dust, I'll rise. 

 

Does my sassiness upset you? 

Why are you beset with gloom? ’Cause I walk like I've got oil wells Pumping in my living room. 

 

Just like moons and like suns, 

With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, 

Still I'll rise. 

 

Did you want to see me broken? 

Bowed head and lowered eyes? Shoulders falling down like teardrops, Weakened by my soulful cries? 

 

Does my haughtiness offend you? 

Don't you take it awful hard 

’Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines Diggin’ in my own backyard. 

 

You may shoot me with your words, 

You may cut me with your eyes, You may kill me with your hatefulness, 

But still, like air, I’ll rise. 

 

Does my sexiness upset you? 

Does it come as a surprise 

That I dance like I've got diamonds At the meeting of my thighs? 

 

Out of the huts of history’s shame 

I rise 

Up from a past that’s rooted in pain 

I rise 

I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide, Welling and swelling I bear in the tide. 

 

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear 

I rise 

Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear 

I rise 

Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. 

I rise 

I rise 

I rise. 

Maya Angelou, "Still I Rise" from And Still I Rise: A Book of Poems.  Copyright © 1978 by Maya Angelou.  Used by permission of Random House, an imprint and division of Penguin Random House LLC. All rights reserved. 

By: Kathy Kelly 1^st Vice President of Membership

WELCOME NEW AND RENEWING MEMBERS IN MARCH! 

STATUS	NAME	LOCATION	SPONSER
Renew	Angie Jackson-Wilson	Virtual - Louisiana	N/A
New	Jackie Probst	Cali - Sacramento	Kathryn Winans
Renew	Paola Del Zotto Ferrari	Virtual - Louisiana	N/A
New	Marchelle Stahl	Virtual - North Carolina	Barbara Bozeman
Renew	Lynn Dalbeck	Virtual - Massachusetts	N/A
Renew	Amber Farley	Virtual - Tennessee	N/A
Renew	Khatera Herawie	AWP - Minnesota	N/A
New	Sandra Stephenson	Michigan	N/A
New	Vittoria Jimerson	Michigan	N/A
New	Katelyn Reccardi	Michigan	N/A
New	Kathy Schmaltz	Michigan	N/A

Membership Tool of the Month! 

Check out the NEW 10-minute video from VP Daneene Monroe Rusnak on our current advocacy efforts.  Use this when promoting the benefits of membership in NFBPWC.  It’s parked on our New Member Welcome page at NFBPWC - New Member Welcome Guide.  (While you’re there, please re-familiarize yourself with the tools we’ve made available to new members.  Please follow up with your new members to ensure they are aware of them.  Nothing takes the place of personal contact with a new member!) (Megan needs to add that or else change verbiage to “it will be parked soon on….”) 

THANK YOU BPW MICHIGAN! 

It was a pleasure to attend the BPW Michigan convention in Mackinaw City, Michigan, May 3-4.  I was delighted to meet so many members from all over the state and I learned so much about Michigan in the process.  In fact, we were so far north that Canada was south of us!   

A very special thank you to President Lynn Card, IPP General Amy Courter, Sue Oser and my wonderful “roomie” Shirley Zeller for the special treats, gifts, private transportation, beautiful room with a view of Lake Michigan, day trip to Mackinac Island, and networking at the Pink Pony!  I was so pleased to have these special women join NFBPWC last year, and I was extremely honored to present BPW Michigan with the Nike statue for Largest Affiliate in the United States, topping out at 146 members, last count!   

DOUBLE or MORE in ’24 

Join us for our BIG membership drive! 

Prizes for Everyone! 

  1 member “Classic” gold NFBPWC lapel pin ($10 value) 

  3 members Large NFBPWC Bling lapel pin ($20 value) 

  5 members Above plus one NFBPWC scarf ($50 value)  

Affiliate/Club levels 

Top prize: Large Nike statue and large NFBPWC Bling pins for executive team 

  2nd prize: Small Nike statue and classic lapel pins for executive team  Third prize: Small Nike statue  

Chances to win BPW Bling!  Prizes will be awarded mid-year at the NFBPWC Biennial Convention in July and again in January of 2025. 

Rules of the content: 

The Affiliate or Club President (or Membership VP/Chair) will verify and forward the information to the NFBPWC VP Membership before the deadline JULY 15, 2024 (vpmembership@nfbpwc.org).  Please do not have individual members for the information.  It’s okay to send the information as you receive it.  We’d like it condensed per Affiliate/Club so we can keep better records, and we’ll reconcile our information with yours before the Convention. 

DONATION GIFTS NOW OPEN ON THE WEBSITE! 

Do you love our new “BPW Bling” pin?  Want one?  Be sure you are getting credit for new member referrals!  We will list sponsors in the e-magazine each month. 

We’ve also launched our DONATION GIFTS – STORE online!  Please see our page on the website DONATION page, or email Kathy Kelly at vpmembership@nfbpwc.org with your order. 

Suggested donation (includes shipping, minimum order of 5 or more please): 

$10 each (CLASSIC plain gold NFBPWC, magnet clasp) $20 each (New BPW bling pin, magnetic clasp) 

$25 each (NFBPWC scarf)  

THANK YOU to the 2022-2024 National Membership Committee.   

These members have been dedicated over the term to developing and improving our membership experience, from onboarding instructions and videos, membership retention outreach, Donation Gifts, and efforts to reconnect with our “Heritage” sisters around the country.  If your club is not represented, please consider encouraging someone to join this committee so you are aware of all the tools to increase your membership! 

Sandy Thompson	California
Angie Layton	Colorado
Emily VanVleck	New York
Lynn Brandstater	California
Marsha Riibner-Cady	North Carolina
Sue Oser	Michigan
Nancy Werner	Pennsylvania
Linda Wilson	California
Marjory Hopper	California
Cathy Collins	Pennsylvania
Bessie Hironimus	California
Barbara Bozeman	Virtual
Maria DeSousa	California

And with special appreciation to President Megan Shellman Rickard for her support with all our efforts over the term. 

As we wrap up another term, I’d like to note the progress the Membership Committee has made, including: 

• Created a New Member Onboarding page on the website with short videos on how to create your membership directory page, our 100+ year history, current advocacy programs and a welcome video from President Megan.   

• Updated the Membership flyer and 3-fold pamphlet 

• Conducted a dues analysis that put NFBPWC as one of the lowest for women’s organizations. 

• Created a “lapsed member” email to re-engage nonrenewing members 

• Updated Charter documents for Heritage Affiliates 

• Added “Donation Gift” page to purchase BPW Bling (more to come!) 

The National Membership Committee meets on the first and third Mondays of each month, holidays excluded.  

In June we will meet on the 3^rd and 17^th. 

Contact Kathy Kelly, vpmembership@nfbpwc.org for more information.

Mental Health and Women’s Health Care

May is both Mental Health Awareness and Women’s Health Care Month. As women we often end up in the care taking role of those with mental health issues of all ages. There are many business and professional women who quietly juggle the mental health of their family members. There is still so much stigma attached to mental illness and it often results in a lack of discussion about the struggles that both caregivers and patients go through on a daily, sometimes hourly, basis. Mental illness often has a medical component to it, an underlying cause that results in complex treatment scenarios. According to the Mental Health Foundation, women are three times more likely to be diagnosed with a mental illness in their lifetime.

As an individual, I have more than a few close family members and friends struggling with mental health. Over the past few months, I have wondered what my peers would say if I let them know about my struggles as a caregiver in the same vein that we talk about other illnesses, like cancer. As a new mother, I struggled with postpartum depression, and I still deal with anxiety attacks. Let’s take this component of Women’s Health and put some light on it. It is my hope that our small community can try to reduce the stigma of mental health, at least within our organization.

Our organization has the propensity to inspire, empower, and connect members as we work together for gender equity. We can nurture our connections by starting with compassion, grace, and active listening. Members of this organization motivate others by finding a path in BPW that makes this community a vibrant part of their lives. A simple spark of an idea can turn into an international project, a national initiative, or an influential local program. As business and professional women, we can nurture each other’s ideas and potential while acknowledging our limitations. Our network connects us to phenomenal people and unique opportunities. We have a community of members on which we can rely for both expertise on subjects and ears to listen.

Please remember, you have an opportunity to provide constructive input and to find your own unique path in this organization. This is a chance to develop your potential, and that of NFBPWC, in a safe and welcoming space. Please continue to bring your ideas, projects, and your own light forward. Let us celebrate our successes as individuals and as an organization! Please accept my personal invitation to all BPW Michigan members to join us at our Biennial Conference in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, or our Hybrid option, July 18-21, 2024. Look for details on our website: www.nfbpwc.org.

We offer a community to each other, one in which we can find solace and solutions. And let us not forget to be kind and accepting of each member’s journey in this organization as we endure these extraordinary moments of history (and herstory). NFBPWC is truly living our theme for this biennium: Cultivate Connections, Create Community. Sending personal wishes of celebration, health, and progress around the globe!

Kind Regards,

Megan Shellman-Rickard

NBPWC President (2020-2024)

By: Sandra Thompson, NFBPWC’s Immediate Past President  

As we approach our Biennial Conference, I would like to encourage all of you to consider running for an office or volunteering to serve as a committee chair or on a committee.  It is a wonderful way to serve our organization, but the personal rewards are even more rewarding. 

I am going to share a little story that I like to help encourage you to serve. 

LESSONS OF THE GEESE 

In the fall, when you see geese heading south for the winter, flying along in the “V” formation, you might be interested in knowing what science has discovered about why they fly that way. It has been learned that as each bird flaps his wings it creates uplift to the bird immediately following.  

By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own. 

Quite similar to people who are part of a team and share a common direction get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the trust of one another and lift one another along the way.  

Whenever a goose falls out of formation it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go through it alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the power of the flock. 

If we have as much sense a goose, we will stay in formation and share information with those who are headed in the same way that we are going.  

When the lead goose gets tired, he rotates back in the formation and another goose takes over. 

It pays to share leadership and take turns doing hard jobs. 

The geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. 

Words of support and inspiration help energize those on the front line helping them to keep pace in spite of the day-to-day pressures and fatigue. 

It is important that our honk is encouraging otherwise it’s just a ..well.. just honking. 

Finally when a goose gets sick or is wounded and falls out, two geese fall out of the formation and follow the injured one down to help and protect him until he is either able to fly or until he is dead. 

Then they launch out with another formation to catch up with their group. When one of us is down, it’s up to the others to stand by us in our time of trouble.  

If we have the sense of a goose, we’ll stand by each other when things get rough.  We will stay in formation with those headed where we want to go. 

The next time you see a formation of geese remember their message... That it is Indeed a Reward, a Challenge, and a Privilege to be a contributing member of a team!    Author unknown  

Lifelong, Leadership & Learning Report 

THREE LIFELONG LEADERSHIP & LEARNING WEBINARS 

FREE ~ Open to All  Registration Open! 

Via Zoom: April 23, May 28, June 25 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM Eastern Time (register for each event) 

Presented by Kathy Kelly, NFBPWC Vice President and Nancy Werner, NFBPWC Facilitator 

These facilitator-led education and training webinars build relevant personal and professional leadership skills to keep you current in the workplace, community, and the world.  Funded and sponsored by BPW/MD, these courses are updated versions of the Individual Development Program (IDP) that was offered to BPW members years ago.  NFBPWC's Lifelong Leadership & Learning (L3) Committee has worked hard to bring us these current modules. 

Tuesday, April 23: Business Etiquette – Representing Yourself and Your Organization Well - Provides guidelines and protocols used in business settings that include verbal and written communication, meetings and exhibiting a professional image. (Recording available upon request.)   

Tuesday, May 28: Setting Goals for Personal and Professional Success - No matter what your age or stage in your career, learn how to establish and create strategies to develop and break down a goal into executable steps. Register at:  https://nfbpwc.wildapricot.org/event-5708529 

Tuesday, June 25: Being an Effective Negotiator - Learn how to negotiate in every human interaction including dealing with difficult situations and people.  Negotiation theory, elements, techniques, and practice scenarios.  Negotiate your position, your salary, and your future with confidence.  Register at:  

https://nfbpwc.wildapricot.org/event-5708553