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“At the heart of leadership is the leader’s relationship with followers. People will entrust their hopes and

dreams to another person only if they think the other is a reliable vessel.” David Gergen, White House Communications Director for Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and Clinton.

As we enter the nominations period, this quote reminds us that leadership in NFBPWC is rooted in trust. The strongest leaders are those who listen, follow through, and create space for others to grow. They inspire confidence not through titles, but through integrity and consistent action.

Think about the members who embody these qualities, the ones who show up prepared, treat others with respect, and strengthen our mission through their reliability and character. These are the individuals who help our organization thrive.

This is the moment to lift up those leaders who have earned your trust. Nominate the person who reflects the spirit of Gergen’s words and will guide NFBPWC forward with purpose and steadiness.

Angie Jackson-Wilson
Chair Nominations
nominations@nfbpwc.org

BPW Listens: Your Voice Matters

BPW International is asking all their members for their views in a way that has never been done before in International’s 95-year history.

When the Executive Committee was discussing their plans for this Triennium, they realized they needed to plan beyond this event into the future. In order to do that, they decided to conduct a survey of members. They wanted to know what the members wanted.

To craft the survey, regional meetings were held and questions from everyone were submitted. Independent members reviewed the questions and then chose the questions to be used. Then a pilot test of the system was held to ensure that it was easy for the members to answer the questions and that their responses were received.

This survey is an opportunity for all members to give their voice, rebuild a connection with and reignite engagement with International. This will also help us build bridges between the Regions.

Each region was asked to provide an ambassador to liaison with the federations and affiliates in their region to encourage and ensure as many members as possible respond to the survey and to be a contact if someone is having problems responding to the survey. Each federation and affiliate will also have a focal point person. I have been asked to serve as the ambassador for the North American and the Caribbean Region. Barbara Bozeman will serve as the focal point person for NFBPWC.

Look for the survey in your inbox in early February. When you receive it, please, please complete it and return it. In order to be sure you get it, please make sure you have the correct email on file with National.

Sandy Thompson
Chair Finance
finance@nfbpwc.org

Bylaws are the Heart of BPW

Within the National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs (NFBPWC), bylaws are more than procedural guidelines, they are the heartbeat that keeps our Federation strong, ethical, and united across generations and geographic boundaries.

They articulate our purpose, define our structure, and ensure that every member, from local affiliates to national leaders, operates within a shared framework of fairness and integrity.

NFBPWC’s bylaws protect the democratic values that have guided us for more than a century.

They outline how leaders are elected, how decisions are made, and how members participate in shaping the direction of our Federation.

This clarity empowers leaders to lead confidently and members to engage fully, knowing that every action is grounded in an agreed-upon process.

When questions arise, the bylaws serve as our compass: steady, impartial, and aligned with our mission of advocacy, leadership, and professional development.

Because NFBPWC spans diverse states, professions, and perspectives, consistent adherence to bylaws is essential. They ensure transparency, prevent misunderstandings, and uphold the rights of every member.

When followed, they build trust: trust in leadership, trust in decisions, and trust in the Federation’s commitment to equity and accountability.

When neglected or outdated, that trust weakens, and the organization’s rhythm falters.

As our world evolves, so must our governing documents. Regular review and thoughtful amendments keep NFBPWC’s bylaws responsive to emerging needs, new technologies, and the changing landscape of women’s leadership.

Updating bylaws is not merely administrative work; it is an act of stewardship. It honors the legacy of those who came before us, while preparing the Federation for the leaders who will follow.

At their core, NFBPWC’s bylaws are the foundation of effective governance. They safeguard our mission, strengthen our leadership, and ensure that our work, locally, nationally, and internationally, remains aligned with the values that define us.

When understood, respected, and actively used, the bylaws become more than a document. They become the steady heartbeat that keeps NFBPWC vibrant, resilient, and moving forward with purpose.

Angie Jackson-Wilson
Chair Bylaws & Resolutions
bylaws@nfbpwc.org

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Determination Helped a Colleague Overcome Bureaucratic Obstacles

For thirty-one years I taught in the English Department of Kingsborough Community College of the City University of New York with the rank of Assistant Professor.

The Department had a requirement, passed retroactively after the college had been in existence for some years, that advancement to Associate and Full Professorships would be denied to anyone in the Department who did not have a PhD. I had failed to complete my PhD thesis, mired in taking care of children, a house, doing all the driving and everything else for the family, including my vision-impaired husband, so I was stuck as an Assistant Professor for the entire time I was teaching.

Our union representative Norah Chase was an extraordinary woman, a close friend who went to bat for me without my requesting her help.

She tried to move mountains, but although she was ultimately unsuccessful as far as official professorial advancement for me was concerned, she brought my talents to the President and the Provost of the college, and I was tapped for the

job of administering a small program designed to bring students who were not quite up to the academic demands of the college to full competence.

I expanded the program from 160 students when I took over to over a thousand students and achieved excellent personal recognition for my work. Throughout, my friend advocated for me, ran interference with the administration, and demanded recognition for my efforts, which I got in terms of being a member of the Faculty Senate, head of the academic program for the entire university, speaker at innumerable conferences.

My friend, our union representative, saw to it that though I could not, because of the rules, get the recognition of academic advancement, I got plenty of personal recognition throughout the university.

I am forever grateful to her for her advocacy.

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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