By: Keri Hess Laursen
NFBPWC Health Committee Chair, Downtown Sacramento Member Health@NFBPWC.org 

The Health Committee is seeking a co-chair, no experience required!

The Health Committee currently meets the 2nd Monday of each month at 5pm PST.  

Please email Keri at:  health@nfbpwc.org to inquire about serving as co-chair or to get on the Health Committee listserv.

By: Nancy Werner
NFBPWC Advocacy Team ERA Lead

EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT

UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE MET ON

OCTOBER 30, 2023

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. 

Back in 1979, the most important human rights statement for women was written by the United Nations Human Rights Committee. CEDAW. It stands for Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. Across the world 189 nations ratified it but United States, Sudan, Somalia, Iran, Tonga, and Palau.  Going back in time President Jimmy Carter signed CEDAW on July 1, 1980, but it failed to be ratified by our Congress many times over. Why? We have Republicans who kept saying it would legalize abortion rights. But we have supporters of this document who continue to argue for its passage.

Now let’s fast forward to October 30, 2023. The United Nations Human Rights Committee met in Geneva, Switzerland and shared that the United States government should provide protection against sex-and-gender–based-discrimination by adopting the Equal Rights Amendment. Members of the U.S. Equal Rights Coalition, Equality Now and other leading U.S. women’s rights organizations addressed the committee. The report of the UN Committee wanted the United States to redouble its efforts to guarantee protection against sex and gender-based discrimination in the Constitution. The Equal Rights Amendment is fundamental to achieve sex and gender equality. And this statement goes hand in hand with ratifying CEDAW. 

This endorsement provides us with information to contact our Congressional leaders. Use the one-click to share that you wish CEDAW and the ERA to come to the floor. Also, if you haven’t signed the http://www.sign4era.org  to receive notifications, please do. Please keep in touch with your Senators using the NFBPWC “One Click.” You know how your Senators voted back In April. We have been promised a revisit and we need to be ready. Keep clicking!

By: Susan Oser
NFBPWC Advocacy Team LGBTQIA+ Lead

Organization of the Month: LGBT Foundation

Why highlight?

The LGBT Foundations is a national charity for LGBTQ+ health, wellness and serve as a lifeline for those in need.  Their mission is to empower LGBTQ+ people to realize their full potential every day.  Their vision is the belief that queer liberation enables meaningful and lasting change.  

Based out of Manchester, England, the website has a lot of information that can also be of value for those stateside and perhaps create or enhance programs in local communities.  It’s a also a great way to see how another country takes care of the community.

Source(s):https://lgbtfoundation.start.page/  

https://lgbt.foundation/ 

FYI Positive LGBTQ+ for December:

• Former headquarters of lesbian feminist group under consideration for National Historic Landmark designation. https://tinyurl.com/mssjc9s4   A rowhouse on Capitol Hill served as the headquarters for the Furies Collective, a lesbian feminist group, in the 1970’s. The National Park System’s National Historic Landmarks Committee is scheduled to discuss and make a recommendation on the Furies Collective house designation at a Nov. 16th virtual meeting.

• Dolly Parton expresses support for trans community in interview. https://tinyurl.com/usfx954a In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Parton said, “I just want everybody to be treated good” when asked about Tennessee's anti-trans laws. She went on to say that trans people are God’s children like everyone else and she loves the trans people in her life.

• What To Watch For When Invited To A Documentary On "Trans Issues" https://tinyurl.com/3u5crbsp  The uptick in anti-trans documentaries is inadvertently ensnaring trans people and supporters. Here's how to stay vigilant and not be tricked into appearing in a right-wing documentary.

The following is an overview of or ALL LGBTQ+ legislation in the news:

• Anti-trans platforms lose elections - https://tinyurl.com/2v22ntew   Tuesday’s elections in Kentucky, Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania showed the limits of anti-trans messaging.

Families ask SCOTUS to review Appeals Court ruling allowing enforcement of medically necessary care ban in Kentucky.  https://tinyurl.com/bddz8kua  The families are represented by the ACLU of Kentucky, NCLR and two law firms.

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

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S BIENNIAL CONFERENCE

EQUALITY HAS NO DEADLINE!

July 18-21, 2024

Sheraton Valley Forge King of Prussia, Pennsylvania

Registration opens soon!

Save the date and make some plans to meet fellow members in Pennsylvania! This is a hybrid event where you can attend in-person or online. You have the opportunity to re-connect with old friends, make new ones, and work together with your BPW colleagues from all over the United States and the globe!

You are invited to attend our General Assembly sessions. Virtual or in-person, we have options for you!

Hear from a fascinating lineup of speakers, participate in workshops and elections, and kick back to enjoy happy hour receptions, good food including a Gala Awards Dinner, tours of the area, and entertainment!

By: Manjul Batra
NFBPWC Nominations Chair, nominations@nfbpwc.org

Forms for National elective office & Chairmanships will be sent out early for Clubs to prepare their members for leadership positions for the term 2024-2026.

Recommendation:

1. Club President’s identify their members for club leadership or National positions and support their

development during the club year.

1. As recommended earlier a scheduled independent National training program be organized for club leaders who intend to run for National Office or Chairmanships.

By:Sandra Thompson, NFBPWC’s International Chair,

international@nfbpwc.org

The South American Region held their Regional Conference was held September 6 to 10 in Santigo, Chilie.

Some of our members were in attendance and have reported that they had a great time. One of the featured speakers was our own Past National President, Bessie Hironimus. Also, attending was Dave Hironimus, Manjul Batra, Sujata Easton and Ellora Easton.

(Pictured Left) Manjul Batra and Sujata Easton placing their fingers on the top of the tallest building in Chilie.

(Pictured Top Right) Ellora Easton, Sujata Easton and Manjul Batra. Three generations of BPW members. Manjul’s mother was also a long time BPW member, including being President of India. What a wonderful BPW heritage.

Manjul in the meeting room

Dave and Bessie Hironimus (Pictured Left)

Bessie, Anu Viks, RC Europe And Dawn Wells RC No. America (Pictured Right)

ElloraandBessie

(Pictured Left)

By:Susan O’Malley

IFBPWC UN Representative NGO CSW/NY, Chair ex officio Professor Emerita, City University of New York UNChair@nfbpwc.orgsusanomalley4@gmail.com

IFBPW Summits CSW68 Statement to UN Women

NGOs in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council

(ECOSOC) may submit written statements on the thematic issues considered by CSW68, in accordance with Council resolution 1996/31. IFBPW President Catherine Bosshart submitted our Statement on October 13. It is attached below.

• The Priority Theme for CSW68 is “Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective.”

• The Review Theme is “Social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for

gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls (agreed conclusionsof the sixty-third session.”)

The active participation of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is a critical element in the work of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). NGOs have been influential in shaping the current global policy framework on women’s empowerment and gender equality: the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. They continue to play an important role in holding international and national leaders accountable for the commitments they made in the Platform for Action.

To prepare the CSW68 Statement, Chularat Israngkool, 1^st VP for UN with her UN Committee, gathered material from BPW members and prepared a first draft. Helena Finn, Chair of the UN IFBPW Representatives, helped with this process. Then it was sent to me to edit. I recognized excellent material from Lesha Witmer, Tess Mateo, and Marie-Claude. (There were other excellent contributors too. The material did not include names of the contributors as no names are allowed in the CSW68 Statement.) President Bosshart reviewed the final document, and we both gathered names of ECOSOC-accredited NGOs to sign on to our CSW68 Statement.

CSW 68 Parallel Events Information

Applications for CSW 68 Parallel Events are now open. The deadline is 4 December. IFBPW may submit only one in person parallel event but multiple virtual parallel events. Consult the NGO CSW 68 information on the NGO CSW/NY Website.

If you have questions, you may email me at susanomalley4@gmail.com. I will go over your parallel event submission if you have questions.

Click on the image below to open the PDF Statement, or click HERE.

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/

October Highlights in US Women’s History

November Highlights in US Women’s History

• November 1, 1848 – First medical school for women, the New England Female Medical School, opens, in 1874 it merges with Boston University to become one of the world’s first co-ed medical schools.

• November 8, 1910 – The state of Washington passes a constitutional amendment to guarantee woman suffrage.

• November 8, 1984 – Dr. Anna L. Fisher, a physician on the shuttle Discovery, becomes the first American mother and third American woman to fly into space.

• November 11, 1979 – Bethune Museum and Archives opens in Washington D.C. as a center for African-American

women’s history, honoring Mary McLeod Bethune.

• November 11, 1993 – The Vietnam Women’s Memorial is dedicated in Washington, D.C. after being conceived by former army combat nurse Diane Carlson Evans and sculpted by Glenna Goodacre to honor the 265,000 women who voluntarily served during the Vietnam era.

• November 13, 1938 – Mother Francis Xavier Cabrini is beatified, the first American woman citizen to become a saint.

• November 14, 1889 – Journalist Elizabeth Cochran, aka Nellie Bly, sails around the world in 72 days, 6 hours, 11 minutes, and 14 seconds, beating the fictional record set by Phineas Fogg in Jules Verne’s Around the World in Eighty Days

• November  14,  1903 –  The  U.S.

Women’s  Trade  Union  League  is

established.

• November 14, 1946 – Emily Greene

Vietnam Women's Memorial (Source: National Park service

(NPS.GOV)

Balch, co-founder of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

• November 28, 1881 – The first organizational meeting is held for the predecessor group to the American Association of University Women (AAUW).

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

By: Susan E. Oser

NFBPWC Rapid Response Committee Chair

What is your rapid response issue?

My job as the Rapid Response Chair is to seek out issues that the organization can take a voice on that connect to our mission and legislative platform.

And while there is an organizational mode behind the issues, what about you the individual?

Are there any issues that are valuable and speak close to your heart and in a heartbeat, you would post a social media link, video, or share an article about? What is that issue that speaks to you that you are willing to fight for and make it your personal issue.

If you have such an issue that speaks close to your heart, then perhaps that is your personal rapid response issue. You don’t need organizational backing or its voice to do it because it is your path. But if you need ideas or support, connecting to an organization like NFBPWC can be a great starting point for you.

Please connect with Sue Oser at rapidresponse@nfbpwc.orgif you have any ideas on topics that should be focused on and discussed as we get into the big election cycle.

Keri Hess Laursen, NFBPWC Health Committee Chair, Downtown Sacramento Member Health@NFBPWC.orgThe Health Committee is seeking a co-chair, no experience required!

The Health Committee currently meets the 2nd Monday of each month at 5pm PST.

Please email Keri at: health@nfbpwc.orgto inquire about serving as co-chair or to get on the Health Committee listserv.