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Call to Action

Members, please consider the needs of our organization, its goals, challenges, and opportunities for growth in the coming year.

Remember, potential leaders emerge through their service, their consistency, their willingness to listen, and their commitment to advancing women’s equality. I invite you to step forward and acknowledge that although it can be daunting, we can all offer our services and leadership in some way. That affirms the reality that leadership is not about perfection, it’s about purpose.

Through nominations and elections, we must choose leaders who embody our mission and who will guide us with clarity, accountability, and heart. Leadership is a shared responsibility, let us see it not only for what it is, but for what it can become.

As we enter the new year, let us nominate with purpose.

And let us continue building a community where every woman, emerging or experienced, knows that her voice, her vision, and her purpose matter.

ANGIE JACKSON-WILSON
Nominations Chair

Please be sure to read the article about leadership, especially as it is practiced within BPW, on page 23. Then take the quiz on the next page and see where you are on the learning ladder. THEN, please consider moving up to the next rung. We need you, we welcome you, and we will support you on your journey.

AbsentTea Success and One Woman’s Leadership

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

We had a small group at our AbsentTea and it was most enjoyable, but it is thanks to all of your generosity that we raised $1,640. This is a great start for our first attempt at fundraising this way.

This month’s theme is Women’s Leadership and Vision. Did you know that the United States has had 46 Treasurers?

Eighteen of them have been women.

Of these 18 women – the one who served longest – was Ivy Baker Priest. She served for eight years from 1953 to 1961 under President Eisenhower.

She was then elected Treasurer of California from 1967 to 1975 under Governor Ronald Reagan.

She became the first woman to nominate a candidate for President from a major political party when she offered Ronald Reagan’s name at the 1980 Republican Convention.

She was married twice and had four children.

Fun fact, her daughter Pat Priest played Marilyn on the 1964-65 TV show The Munsters.

Sandy Thompson
Finance Chair

A Vision for Women’s Leadership in the New Year

As a new year unfolds, women across our organization step into a season of renewed purpose, sharpened focus, and collective momentum.

Leadership in BPW has never been about holding a title, it’s about carrying a vision. It’s about shaping the future with intention, integrity, and courage.

And this year, that vision is clearer than ever.

“When women lead with purpose, organizations thrive with purpose,” one longtime member reflected during a recent leadership roundtable. That sentiment echoes across every level of BPW, from local organizations to state boards to national committees. The call is simple: lead boldly, lead collaboratively, and lead with the mission at heart.

Honoring the Framework That Guides Us

Strong leadership begins with strong governance. Our bylaws and resolutions are more than procedural documents, they are the backbone of fairness, transparency, and shared understanding. This year, leaders are encouraged to revisit these foundations with fresh eyes.

“Process is not a barrier; it’s a bridge,” said a past state president. “It ensures that every woman’s voice is respected and every decision is grounded in our values.”

Quarterly governance refreshers, open Q&A sessions, and accessible training materials help leaders at every level feel confident and equipped.

Building the Next Generation of BPW Leaders

One of the most exciting priorities this year is strengthening the pipeline of women ready for nomination and service. Leadership development isn’t accidental, it’s intentional, relational, and deeply rooted in mentorship.

This year’s plan includes identifying emerging leaders early, pairing them with seasoned mentors, and offering leadership labs focused on communication, collaboration, and strategic thinking. These aren’t just workshops; they’re incubators for the next generation of BPW visionaries.

“We don’t wait for leaders to appear, we grow them,” a local organization president shared. And she’s right. BPW has always been a place where potential becomes power.

Service as a Leadership Practice

Leadership in BPW is inseparable from service. Each local organization is encouraged to adopt a signature project that reflects the needs of its

community. These projects not only strengthen local impact but also deepen members’ sense of purpose and connection.

Throughout the year, BPW will spotlight stories of women making a difference (watch for them right in this magazine), not for recognition, but for inspiration. These stories remind us that leadership is lived, not declared.

Investing in Women, Personally and Professionally

This year’s vision places a strong emphasis on personal growth as a leadership essential. Workshops on negotiation, advocacy, and financial empowerment will help women strengthen their professional toolkits. Wellness initiatives and peer support circles will nurture resilience and balance.

“A leader who invests in herself invests in everyone she serves,” one mentor noted. That philosophy will guide programming throughout the year.

Communicating With Heart and Clarity

Finally, this year’s leadership plan emphasizes communication that is transparent, timely, and uplifting. Monthly leadership messages, milestone celebrations, and open channels for feedback help every member feel informed and valued.

BPW’s strength has always been its people, women who show up, speak up, and lift up. As we step into this new year, we do so with a shared commitment to lead with purpose, honor our processes, nurture new leaders, and amplify the voices of women everywhere.

This is our moment. This is our movement.

And together, we will shape a year defined by vision, unity, and unstoppable leadership.

Angie Jackson-Wilson
Chair
Bylaws & Resolutions

Please see the article on Leading with Purpose on the next page and consider running for a leadership position in your local organization or at the national level.

Only together can we lead BPW into the future.

Angie Jackson-Wilson
Chair
Bylaws & Resolutions

LGBTQ+

Part of what the LGBTQ+ liaison does is provide education and awareness about the community. Hopefully, these links and information will help.

What to focus on for 2026

As we start 2026, it’s important to keep watch on all forms of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and the mid-terms.

If there is someone you believe we should highlight who is either an LGBTQ+ leader in the community or who supports the community, please let me know. Today the community is targeted more than ever and when one marginalized community is hurt, we all are hurt.

Please remember that this section is not only a source of information on the LGBTQ+ community but an area of

education. If you have a topic you would like to learn more about, please do not hesitate to contact me at soser@nfbpwc.org.

In addition, if you are interested in collaborating on a presentation, having me speak at your meetings, etc., please let me know and I’ll be happy to do so.

Hoping for a wonderful 2026.

Remember to take care of and honor the LGBTQ+ folks in your life.

Susan Oser
Advocacy LGBTQ+ Lead

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GOOD NEWS
YouTube phenom Ms. Rachel says LGBTQ+ people are welcome in her classroom https://tinyurl.com/248t6k4m

HOLIDAYS

January 20 MLK Day

January 20-24 No Name-Calling Week January 22 Trans Prisoners Day of Action and Solidarity

January 27 Holocaust Remembrance Day January 29 Brazilian National Day of Transgender Visibility

HAPPENING THIS MONTH

You can participate in “Fighting for Our Pride in the 2026 State Legislative Session.”

January 14 at 8:30pm ET/5:30m PT. Register today at: https://tinyurl.com/p4h43jkc

IN HONOR OF THIS MONTH’S THEME: WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP AND VISION

• Information on Congresswoman Sarah McBride: https://mcbride.house.gov/about
• Miss Major Griffin-Gracy: https://theoutwordsarchive.org/interview/miss-major-griffin-gracy/?blm_aid=313930753
• Meet Tracee McDaniel: https://boldjourney.com/meet-tracee-mcdaniel/?blm_aid=313930753
• Caitlin Clark and the 'young and turnt' bring a new vibe to Team USA: https://tinyurl.com/bdbmecpf

IMPORTANT LGBTQ+ HOTLINES & RESOURCES FOR ALLIES TOO

• 100 Organizations Supporting Trans People in All 50 States—donations welcome: https://tinyurl.com/3vdz89e5
• Ali Forney Day Center: 212.206.0574
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): 800.342.AIDS (2437), Spanish 800.344432
• TDD service for the deaf: 800.243.7889. All lines available 10:00am to 10:00pm EST, Monday through Friday.
• Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender National Hotline: 888.843.4564
• GLBT National Youth Talkline (youth serving youth through age 25): 800.246.7743
• Guide to Being an Ally to LGBTQ+ People: https://tinyurl.com/ycy8eezz
• Journalist Resource Series: Guide for Reporting on Anti-Trans Violence:
• https://tinyurl.com/53cbmkj8National Runaway Switchboard: 800.RUNAWAY (786.2929)
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800.273.8255
• Transgender Michigan: 855-345-TGMI (8464)
• Trevor Project: 866.488.7386

Summary and Update on EME v Donald Trump

This case is a challenge to the Military Selective Service Act (MSSA), 50 U.S.C. § 3801 et seq., which requires male citizens to register for the draft but bars women from doing so.

On April 3, 2025, Equal Means Equal (EME), a nonprofit advocacy group, and a female Massachusetts resident filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

They sued President Donald Trump, the Acting Director of the Selective Service System, and the Selective Service System, alleging violations of the Equal Rights Amendment and the Fifth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause. Judge William G. Young was assigned to the case.

Represented by the Women’s and Children’s Advocacy Project, the plaintiffs alleged that the individual plaintiff’s attempt to register for the Selective Service had been rejected solely because of her gender and that two EME members had faced similar denials.

They argued that the categorical exclusion of women from Selective Service registration violated the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which they claimed became the Twenty-Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution upon Virginia’s ratification in 2020.

The plaintiffs maintained that the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1981 decision in Rostker v. Goldberg, which upheld the male-only draft registration, no longer controlled because it predated both the ERA’s ratification and significant changes in military policy permitting women to serve in combat roles.

They further alleged a violation of the Fifth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause, arguing that denying women the right to register served no compelling government interest.

The plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief. They requested a judicial declaration that the exclusion of women from draft registration was unconstitutional under both the ERA and the Fifth Amendment.

They also sought to enjoin the federal government from continuing to enforce the male-only registration requirement, alleging that the policy stigmatized women and deprived them of equal civic obligations and opportunities.

On June 17, 2025, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss. They argued that the court lacked jurisdiction, that the plaintiffs’ claims under the Administrative Procedure Act were unripe, and that the constitutional claims failed as a matter of law. The motion to dismiss also disputed the plaintiffs’ characterization of the ERA’s ratification status. The court established a briefing schedule, ordering plaintiffs to file their opposition by July 17, 2025.

In their opposition, the plaintiffs reiterated their core arguments that the Military Selective Service Act violated the ERA and the Equal Protection Clause.

They also asserted that this lawsuit, brought by women on behalf of constitutional questions at issue and distinguished it from other cases pending at that time, such as Valame v. Biden. They further argued that the court should apply strict scrutiny instead of intermediate scrutiny, which they claimed had long enabled unequal treatment of women.

A hearing on the motion to dismiss was scheduled for November 17, 2025. It did not happen. Latest update was held on December 8, 2025

Notice of Supplemental Authorities re: 8 Motion to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim (Holland, Liam) (Entered: 12/08/2025).

Motion to Continue Motion Hearing to 3/3/2026 by Equal Means Equal (Murphy, Wendy) (Entered: 12/10/2025).

Judge William G. Young: Electronic Order entered granting 27 Motion to Continue Motion Hearing to 3/3/2026 by Equal Means Equal. (KB) (Entered: 12/10/2025).

Electronic Notice Resetting Hearing on Motion 8 Motion to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim.

Motion Hearing reset for 3/24/2026 02:00 PM in Courtroom 18 (remote only) before Judge William G. Young.

Counsel of record will receive a video conference invite at the email registered in CM/ECF. You will find access information here in the March issue.

Congressional Updates from the Alice Paul web site

The Equal Rights Amendments were introduced in the House and Senate during March—Women’s History Month. Representative Pressley’s Bill HJ Resolution 80 now has 215 co-sponsors, including Rep. Bobby Scott We still have three members –Adam Grey, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Henry Cuellar whose signatures are needed. Newly sworn in Rep. Adelita Grijalva (AZ) is expected to join the sponsors.

Senator Murkowski’s Bill SJ Resolution 38 and cosponsor, Senator Mazie Hirano, are working together to secure more members. The Senate bill is a companion bill to the House Resolution and the two bills share the same name: a joint resolution establishing the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment.

REMEMBER: ERA IS ALREADY THE LAW OF THE LAND.

Three Key Points to share:

1. The ERA as the 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is a formality, not something needed to make it valid. President Biden’s action confirmed what we already knew. The the amendment fully met all the constitutional requirements with Virginia’s ratification on January 27, 2020.
2. Time limits are arbitrary. The are not mentioned as part of the amending process in the Constitution.
3. The fight is now about Awareness and Education. We must ensure that people know the ERA is the law of the land, protecting people from gender-based discrimination in all aspects of life, from reproductive healthcare to workplace equality.

Keep sharing these statements and be positive!

Nancy Werner
Advocacy ERA Lead
2022-2026

Engage with NFBPWC on Social Media

Organization Page:   https://www.facebook.com/NatlFedBPWC/

Group Page: https://www.facebook.com/NatlFedBPWC/

Organization Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nfbpwc

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2l_ciIxLyvbu1dbBOsV9Tg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nfbpwc_usa/

Will We See YOUR Name in 2026?

The future of NFBPWC isn’t waiting. It’s being written by those of us who dare to lead, to serve, and to believe in the power of collective progress.

We take a moment to pause and celebrate the milestones, both great and small, that shaped our journey in 2025. But celebration is only half the story.

Let us look ahead with anticipation toward a future that calls for courage and new voices at the table. The question isn’t just what have we done, but who will rise next?

Will we see your name in nomination in 2026? Here is to stepping forward together.

Wishing you joy, peace, and happiness. May your days be filled with warmth and cheer.

ANGIE JACKSON-WILSON
Nominations Chair