By: Marikay Shellman,
BPW Colorado Virtual Chair, NFBPWC Environment and Sustainable Development Committee (2022-2024)

In protecting our planet for future generations, it is imperative that we push our government officials to do everything in their power to limit the effects of climate change.  As a member of People & Pollinators Action Network (PPAN) and the Xerces Society for Invertebrates, our community has advocated for a study to be conducted on pollinating insects and bats.  Senate Bill 22-199, Native Pollinating Insects Protection Study, passed and Research and Development began in February-July 2023, followed by Analysis and Synthesis July- October 2023.  Recommendations and Final Report was just released January 2024 by Governor Polis in partnership with Colorado Department of Natural Resources, University of Colorado Museum of Natural History, Colorado State University Extension, and Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.  The five areas of immediate priorities and actions are:

1. Protect imperiled native pollinating insects.

2. Protect, restore, and connect pollinator habitats.

3. Mitigate environmental changes that negatively impact pollinators and their habitats.

4. Reduce the risks from pesticides to pollinating insects.

5. Monitor and support native and manage pollinator health.

Pollinating insects and bats around the world are declining rapidly which is quite literally a matter of life and death for all of us.  

In 2023, 20 states have introduced legislation to protect pollinator habitats.  Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Colorado have enacted laws to restore and conserve pollinator habitats.  24 states have introduced legislation to limit the use of harmful pesticides, six of which have enacted laws limiting the use of toxic pesticides, Connecticut, Nevada, Hawaii, Illinois, Colorado, and New York.  (www.ncelenviro.org)

To keep up to date on pollinator protections in your state, check out NCEL’s Bill tracking map available on their website.  Write to your congress members and thank them and/or encourage them to protect our pollinators.

By: Marikay Shellman

BPW Colorado Virtual Chair, NFBPWC Environment and Sustainable Development Committee (2022-2024)

Simple Acts: EAT LESS PLASTIC

The average person ingests about a credit card’s amount microplastic per week. It has become so alarming that Consumer Reports’ cover page January 2024, announces “HOW TO EAT LESS PLASTIC.” The Washington Post, World Wildlife Fund, National Geographic, PBS, NPR, Bon Appetit, and EcoWatch are among many publications addressing this dangerous health issue. 

Microplastics, miniscule pieces less than 5 millimeters, are everywhere, not only in our oceans and soils and in the guts of insects and fish, but also in human organs, even in the air we breathe. Synthetic plastic production has grown by more than 400 million tons annually.

Bisphenols, BPAs, and phthalates, which make plastics flexible and durable, have been found to interrupt the regulation and production of hormones leading to the increased risk of diabetes, cancers, cardiovascular disease, birth defects, and neurodevelopmental disorders to name a few. DEHPs, the most studied phthalates, are present in plastic products such as toys, shower curtains, medical devices, packaging film, and garden hoses, are classified by the EPA as a probable human carcinogen.

Simple ways to avoid microplastics in your day-to-day life

1)Don’t heat food in plastic. Yes, it is so easy to heat leftovers or takeout in those plastic containers. Don’t. The BPAs and phthalates added to Tupperware, takeout boxes, pre-made frozen meals leach easily into your food when heated. Don’t wash plastic containers in the dishwasher as the heated water degrades the plastic.

2)Drink filtered tap water. Although microplastics are in 94% of American tap water, water filters eliminate 100% of known microplastics. Plastic bottled water, soda, and sports drinks are known to be one of the largest sources of microplastic ingestion. Glass or stainless-steel bottles are best as many BPA-free plastic and aluminum water bottles have undisclosed liner materials made from resin, polymer, or epoxy.

3)Avoid plastic food containers. Plastic products with recycling codes 3, 6, and 7 contain phthalate, styrene, and bisphenols which are more damaging than other plastic containers unless they are labeled “greenware” or “biobased”, a safer option. Forego any plastic wrapped items, even peanut butter, and choose glass containers instead. Use wax paper or aluminum or food-grade silicone for wrap. High-fat items such as yogurt, milk, cream, and butter readily leach chemicals from plastics. Although more expensive, purchase these products in glass containers. 

4)Eliminate takeaway cups. The lining in most takeout containers, your morning coffee or tea, are made with HDPE grade plastic which leak estrogenic chemicals and some even contain heavy metals. Bring your own stainless steel or glass reusable cup to your favorite coffee shop, cutting down on waste.

5)Use loose leaf tea instead of tea bags. A majority of tea bags consist of approximately 25% plastic, releasing 11.6 billion microplastics and 3.1 billion nanoplastics into your drink. Paper tea bags are glued together with polypropylene, another plastic.

6)Beware of the types of fish you eat, especially shellfish. Limit your intake of seafood to cut back on the amount of microplastics you ingest. 386 aquatic species, more than half of which are commercially sold, have been found to contain large amounts of microplastics. These microplastics and nanoplastics move from the fish stomach into its muscle tissue, which is the part that we eat. Unfortunately, ocean plastic continues to grow.

Collectively, we need to reduce our dependence on plastic. Only by increasing our awareness of the plastic crisis and spreading the word can we reduce the presence of microplastics in our food.

By: Sher Singh
NFBPWC’s JDEI Chair,dei@nfbpwc.org 

Webinar: “Grief: No Time Limit-Stages are Phases of Acceptance and Hope"

February 20, 2024-5 pm PT/8 pm ET

Grief is a challenging, yet little talked about subject.  Join us as Ellen Shane and Kara LC Jones share their approach to grief experience.

Born in Montreal, Canada, Ellen Shane (pictured right)lived there until 1996, when she moved with her family to Southern California.

She cofounded the 501(c)3 nonprofit charity, The Emily Shane Foundation, to honor the memory of her youngest child, Emily Rose Shane, following her tragic murder at the age of 13 in April 2010. Emily was in 8th grade in middle school and struggled academically. She fell into a “grey” area; not needing or qualifying for special education yet having trouble achieving her best academic ability without outside support.

Due to a lack of resources within the educational system to address students like Emily, the foundation established a unique educational initiative, the SEA (Successful Educational Achievement) Program. The SEA Program empowers underserved students in the mainstream middle school classroom with individualized and intensive essential academic tutoring and mentorship. The program is comprehensive and was developed with a middle school teacher with over 40 years of classroom experience. The SEA Program solely serves those unable to afford this support. Since its inception in the spring of 2012, the SEA Program has made a difference in the lives of over 1000 middle schoolers across Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

Kara LC Jones (pictured left)is the Creative Grief Educator and heARTist behind Grief + Creativity and will guide us through a Creative Grief experience tool. 

Kara is a Carnegie Mellon graduate who interned for 3 years at Mister Rogers Neighborhood and has spent the last couple of decades exploring creative approaches to grief experience.

She has authored several books including:  Mrs. Duck and the Woman, Flash Of Life, and 1000 Permissions Granted. Kara has also contributed to publications such as They Were Still Born, Journal of Family Social Work, Living With Grief, Elegy, and more. For more about her heARTwork, see www.GriefAndCreativity.com.

By: Trudy Waldroop
Bylaws & Resolutions Chair, NFBPWC 2022-2024 (Email: ILoveBPW@yahoo.com) Bylaws@NFBPWC.org 

B Y L A W S

Part 1

What are they?

Bylaws is a document that relates to the basic rules for an organization to its structure and manner of operation.  Bylaws are an organization’s highest authority and take precedence over the parliamentary authority whenever there is a conflict and which are always stated in the organization’s bylaws.  For the National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs the parliamentary authority is Robert‘s Rules of Order Newly Revised (latest edition).  An organization may not have in their bylaws anything which conflicts with a law of a higher organization.  Bylaws can never be suspended! 

Why do we need them?

It tells the members of the organization their rights and responsibilities and how to conduct themselves at meetings.   Every person who joins an organization should be given right away a copy of that organization’s bylaws – along with any other rules that organization has adopted.

What’s in them?

At least the Name of the organization, their Object, Members, Officers, Meetings, Executive Committee, Board, Committees, Parliamentary Authority and Amendments.  An easy way to remember these is the mnemonics it’s NO MOM E CPA.  These are the minimum that shall be listed in bylaws, an organization may wish to add others/topics.  If your organization has a Board of Directors add an article to it after the article on Executive Board/Committee.

Briefly what each of the above items should contain:

• Name the full, exact name of the organization.
• Object of the organization expressed in a single sentence.
• Members who can join, classes of membership, dues, when due.
• Officers name of officers, term, how elected or appointed.
• Meetings when meet, the annual meeting special meetings, and the quorum of each. 
• Executive Committee bylaws should state what the Executive Committee consists of, its powers, duties, quorum, and other duties.  If a Board of Directors is desired a separate Article is listed.
• Board of Directors would also indicate who it consists of, its powers, duties, and quorum.
• Committees Standing Committees first, their name, composition, election and duties.  Special committees should be in a separate Article.
• Parliamentary Authoritywhat it is (name and author) and should be stated in one sentence.
• Amendment this Article would contain the procedures for amendment on how to change the current bylaws.

By: Nancy Werner

NFBPWC Advocacy Team ERA Lead

EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT

100^th ANNIVERSARY MARCH

Advocacy –Equal Rights Amendment.  “Equality of rights under the law shall not be  denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex” needs to be placed into our Constitution. While most states have laws prohibiting discrimination of any kind based on sex, proponents of the E.R.A. say laws can be reversed or eliminated. Having a Constitutional Amendment would cement those rights. 

Last month we saw Wednesday, December 13^th come and go with all the hype concerning the march in Washington D.C. The ERA- Coalition worked hard for us to remember that it was December 13, 1923 when the ERA was first introduced in Congress. They invited every group who has voiced or has promoted the ERA passage. We learned all about the day through our connections with the MS. Memo. But now, a month later, what is happening?

Soon after the March, a letter was sent to the White House, Senators and others in power calling for the publication of the Equal Rights Amendment. It was written by the ERA Publication Task Force.  It was signed by 84 diverse organizations. A response was received…

The White House narrative is that President Biden is pro women, pro Roe and the other party is trashing women’s rights. Given that we briefed the White House Council on the danger of allowing the Dobbs decision to be handed down without publication of the ERA, it is apparent that the Biden Administration is giving the Supreme Court a clear lane to rollback women’s rights. 

It is dangerous not to have the ERA published in this environment. 

Jean Sweeney, Co-Head of the National Publication Task Force continued to share some more facts for us to ponder. We lost the Roe framework and the Comstock Laws of the 1870 and the Chamberlain-Kahn Act of 1918 remain as trap laws. Now add the Artificial Intelligence has been denied the proper Constitution with the 28^th Amendment in 4 years.

What can we be doing? We need to be attending political events and asking our candidates about the ERA publication. I enjoyed Jean Sweeney calling us “warriors,” because that is exactly what we are. We MUST stand up and fight. No one is going to do it but us.

Last month I asked you to do the following and it is still waiting for you to do. Call Colleen Shogan at 202-357-5900 –Here is your message – My name is ______________. I am calling from _________(name your state). I am asking that you do your duty and publish the Equal Rights Amendment as the 28^th Amendment. The E.R. A. has fulfilled the requirements set forth in Article Five of the Constitution and we can wait no longer for full constitutional protection.

She is the National Archivist.

Also, if you haven’t signed the http://www.sign4era.org  to receive notifications, please do so. We are looking for a million signers. Please keep in touch with your Senators using the NFBPWC “One Click.” We have been promised a revisit and we need to be ready. Keep clicking.

By: Susan Oser
NFBPWC Advocacy Team LGBTQIA+ Lead

LGBTQ+ Icon of the Month:  Marsha P. Johnson

Why highlight?

If you know about the Stonewall Uprisings, eight days of protest that gave birth to the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, chances are you know about Marsha “Pay It No Mind” Johnson. As an organizer and advocate, Johnson was a central figure in the 1969 rebellion. Following that fateful week in June, Johnson continued to advocate for the rights of LGBTQ+ people, particularly poor trans femmes of color. Alongside Sylvia Rivera, she co-founded Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR), an organization dedicated to sheltering houseless LGBTQ+ youth. Johnson’s impact can still be felt today, as her legacy and name are evoked in the names of LGBTQ+ organizations, by projects that collect resources for trans people, and through the work of activists that seek to end violence against Black trans femmes. 

Source(s):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dduj7IMKL0 

https://outhistory.org/exhibits/show/tgi-bios/marsha-p-johnson

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5233558/

https://marshap.org/

https://www.them.us/story/happy-birthday-marsha-interview

https://www.them.us/story/new-statue-marsha-p-johnson-fighting-whitewashing-lgbtq-history 

Good LGBTQ+ News for February: 

• ✓ Affirming Actions and Gender Euphoria Among Transgender and Nonbinary Young People http://tinyurl.com/3y2z7hws  Gender euphoria is defined as satisfaction or joy caused when one's gendered experience aligns with their gender identity, rather than with the gender they were assigned at birth.
• 
  
• ✓ Pope Francis says priests can give blessings for same-sex couples. http://tinyurl.com/5ywwhyme.   The Pope made the announcement on December 18th, representing a historic change for the Catholic Church. Many LGBTQ+ Catholics celebrated the change, hoping this would create a more welcoming space for them within the Church.
• ✓ Washington Blade publishes Year in Review for 2023.  http://tinyurl.com/58nt5bnjThis collection of the top 10 national news stories from 2023 include the Pride Celebration at the White House, and the scandals surrounding former Congressman George Santos.

And now for the BAD news:

• ✓ A New Report Exposes the Network of Extremist Groups Behind the Anti-Trans PR Machine http://tinyurl.com/mtthja8u Researchers stressed that anti-LGBTQ+ disinformation is part of a larger reactionary conservative movement.
• ✓ Only 5 Days into The Year, 125 Anti-Trans Bills Have Been Filed.  http://tinyurl.com/46v2xct9  Over 125 bills targeting the transgender community have been released in 2024, more than double the pace of 2023.

If you have any news or leads on anything related to LGBTQ+ news, issues, and organizations, please contact Sue Oser at soser@nfbpwc.org 

Marie Clifton, October 11, 1940, to December 20, 2023

I have known Marie Clifton for more than 25 years. I met her at my first Sierra Mar BPW District after I moved to Monterey Park. She joined BPW in May 1982. She belonged to at least three different BPW Clubs – San Marino, which folded, and then she joined San Gabriel, which folded, and then it was East Valley. She served in various offices in the San Marino and San Gabriel Clubs. Those Clubs also recognized her contributions with certificates and plaques. She served as a Page at State Conventions (as they were called at that time) and continued to serve as Page at Sierra Mar District Conferences until Sierra Mar’s June Training meeting in June 2023. Early on she took the Individual Development course and became the leader of the Sierra Mar Individual Development team. The first course she taught was in 1993 for the El Monte Club. Later, Sally, Maryann and I taught the course with her telling us what we were to teach. My area was Protocol, Parliamentary Procedure and Related Topics. Marie found the place and made all the arrangements for the sessions. Marie credited the ID program and BPW for helping her greatly and as a result, she was dedicated to helping others get ahead by providing opportunities for them to learn from the Individual Development modules.  

Most of us would agree that although she was never a President of Sierra Mar District, she was the one who kept us together. She was the one who got Sierra Mar officers by perhaps twisting arms. She found places for Sierra Mar to have District meetings, copied the materials for the packets, took reservations for attendees, ordered the lunches for us and made sure everything ran according to Sierra Mar’s Bylaws and policies and procedures. By the way it has taken three people to replace her. In 2020 Sierra Mar BPW District awarded Marie Clifton its Ms. BPW plaque for her dedication to BPW and the Individual Development Program (ID). For all this Sierra Mar District awarded her Ms. BPW plaque. This was a well-deserved honor. 

The celebration of her life will be Saturday, January 27th starting at 11:30 A.M. at the Spaghetti Factory in Duarte. Memories of Marie can be given at:  https://obituaries.neptunesociety.com/obituaries/west-covina-ca/marie-clifton-11594141 

As Mavis Hansen says, “There will never be another one like Marie, so let us be grateful to have known her and have her in our lives. I am sure she loves her new wings.”

Submitted by Linda Wilson  

By:Sandra Thompson
NFBPWC’s International Chair - international@nfbpwc.org

March 2024 will bring NGO CSW68. This is held in conjunction with the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. It will be held March 10 to the 22. NFBPWC is sponsoring a Parallel Event along with the Canadian Federation. You have two options to attend either in person or virtually.

Registration is now open. It costs nothing to register. If you have never attended before, or if you have, I encourage you to register and look at the 100s of events that are available. You can register for as many as you want for free.

It takes about 2 minutes to register. It is a very simple form. When you register, you will receive a confirmation email with pertinent information and a link to login to the virtual portal to start exploring?

To register just go to ngocsw68forum.vfairs.com.

NGO  CSW68 Forum  registration  will  not  get  access  to  the  UN  CSW  and  the  UN  building. The UN CSW and NGO CSW68 Forum are two totally separate events. Registration for the NGO CSW68 Forum will not get you a UN grounds pass or access to the UN building.

For more information about official registration for the UN CSW, visit UN Women’s website

I hope to see you all on line or in person for this exciting event that brings women from around the world together.

By: Suzette Cotto NFBPWC Public Relations Chair

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/

JANUARY Highlights in US Women’s History

• January 3, 1949 – Margaret Chase Smith (R-Maine) starts her tenure in the Senate, where she stays in office until 1973, became the first woman to serve in both the House and Senate as she previously served in the House (1940-49)

• January 5, 1925 – Nellie Tayloe Ross is inaugurated as the first woman Governor in U.S. history (Governor of Wyoming)

• January 7, 1896 – Fanny Farmer’s first cookbook is published in which she standardized cooking

measurements

• January 7, 1955 – Marian Anderson is the first African American woman to sing at the Metropolitan Opera

• January 8, 1977 – Anna Pauline “Pauli” Murray is the first African American woman ordained to the Episcopal priesthood, by Bishop William F. Creighton at Washington National Cathedral in Washington D.C.

• January 11, 1935 – Amelia Earhart makes the first solo flight from Hawaii to North America

• January 12, 1932 – Hattie Wyatt Caraway (D- Arkansas) is the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate, becomes the first woman to chair a Senate Committee and the first to serve as the Senate’s presiding officer

• January 25, 1890 – Nellie Bly, journalist, completed her around the world trip in 72 days, 6 hours, 11 minutes, and 14 seconds after setting sail east to prove she could circle the globe in less than 80 days

• January 25, 1980 – Mary Decker became the first woman to run a mile under 4 1/2 minutes, running it at 4:17.55

• January 29, 1926 – Violette Neatly Anderson is the first black woman to practice law before the U.S. Supreme Court

(Source: https://nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org/january/)

By: Suzette Cotto
NFBPWC Public Relations Chair

Navigating the Digital Frontier:

Key Considerations for Business Professional Women in 2024

As we step into the new year, the landscape of business communication continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, driven by technological advancements and global changes. For business professionals, staying ahead of the curve in online communications is

crucial for success in 2024. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is through upskilling – acquiring new skills and refining existing ones to adapt to the demands of the digital age.

The Dynamics of Online Communication

As we move forward in 2024, business professionals need to pay attention to several key aspects of online communication.

• Cybersecurity Awareness

With an increasing reliance on digital platforms, the risk of cyber threats also rises. Business professionals should prioritize cybersecurity awareness to safeguard sensitive information. Even simple password management app is a crucial step to securing your sensitive information, especially when passwords are shared.

• Adapting to New Platforms

The digital landscape is dynamic, with new communication platforms emerging regularly. Business professionals should stay abreast of emerging trends and technologies, exploring platforms that resonate with their target audience. Being adaptable and willing to experiment with new tools is essential.

• Enhancing Visual Communication

In an era dominated by multimedia content, mastering visual communication is imperative. Professionals should focus on creating compelling visuals, whether through graphics, videos, or presentations. Visual content not only captures attention but also facilitates better understanding.

• Embracing AI and Automation

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation are revolutionizing online communication. Business professionals need to understand how AI can streamline processes, enhance customer interactions, and improve overall efficiency. Upskilling in AI-related areas will be a significant advantage in 2024.

The Benefits of Upskilling

Upskilling is not just a buzzword; it's a strategic necessity in today's fast-paced business environment. Here are some compelling reasons why business professionals should prioritize upskilling in the new year:

Remain Relevant in a Changing Landscape

The business landscape constantly evolves, and those who fail to adapt risk becoming obsolete. Upskilling ensures that professionals remain relevant and equipped to tackle the challenges of a digital future.

• Increased Productivity and Efficiency

Acquiring new skills can lead to improved productivity and efficiency. Upskilling in areas such as project management, data analysis, or digital marketing can streamline processes and help professionals achieve better results in less time.

• Enhanced Problem-Solving Abilities

Upskilling often involves developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. As professionals gain new knowledge, they become better equipped to analyze situations, make informed decisions, and navigate complex challenges.

• Competitive Advantage in the Job Market

In a competitive job market, possessing a diverse skill set sets professionals apart. Employers value individuals who demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning, making upskilling a valuable asset for career advancement.

• Future-Proofing Careers

Technology is advancing rapidly, and jobs that exist today may evolve or be replaced by new roles. Upskilling ensures that professionals are prepared for the future, capable of adapting to changing job requirements and industry trends.

As we embark on the journey of 2024, women business professionals must pay close attention to the evolving landscape of online communication. Embracing new platforms, prioritizing cybersecurity, and mastering visual communication are critical components of success. Furthermore, investing in upskilling is not just a personal growth initiative; it is a strategic move to ensure relevance, efficiency, and competitiveness in the ever-changing business landscape of the digital age.

NFBPWC will be offering training courses in the coming year that will help you stay on top of your skillset and give you tools to help you upskill to be ready for any professional opportunity.