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/

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

B Y L A W S Part 2 

How do you change something already in the bylaws or want to add something? 

The change/s are called amendments.   There are five ways in which to change.  They are known as to insert, strike, strike and insert, add, or substitute. 

A combination of the above can be used. 

These are the proper words used in our Parliamentary Authority to amend a motion and bylaws, and it serves as a road map of what is proposed. 

BPW’s Parliamentary Authority states that the format for informing the members of a “proposed bylaws amendment” is to: 

Include the rationale for the proposed change along with who is proposing the change. 

In NFBPWC amendments can be proposed by: 

Section 2  - Amendments may be proposed by any State Federation or Affiliate Chapter/Club, the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors, or an Affiliate member.  

Section 3 -  Proposed amendments shall be submitted to the Bylaws Committee at least sixty (60) days prior to the General Assembly and Biennial Conference and distributed to the membership thirty (30) days before the conference. 

Deadline:    May 20, 2024 

Submit proposed changes to the Bylaws Chair (ILoveBPW@yahoo.com)  

May 20, 2024:  Submit proposed amendments to the Policy and Procedures Manual 

y: 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.  

SIGN4ERA – May I encourage you to take the time RIGHT NOW to sign onto this link. http://www.sign4era.orgI just received my correspondence from this group as they share the urgency of telling all our families, neighbors, coworkers to sign on immediately. With Alabama’s alarming court ruling that frozen embryos are considered people, the urgency to protect not only in vitro fertilization but all reproductive rights has never been more important. But what we heard from Alabama will not be the only state. Other states are already introduced anti-IVF laws. 

One more attack on women and their reproductive freedoms. We must place the Equal Rights Amendment in our United States Constitution. The ERA will offer us permanent protection for sexual and reproductive health and rights that include abortion, all forms of birth control, fertility treatments and all other reproductive healthcare including IVF. 

Earlier in the week of February 18^th, former member of Congress Carolyn Maloney told ERA supporters in Annapolis, Maryland, “We cannot have equal rights for people in one state and not in all states. The right and access to reproductive health care MUST be available to all people in all states.” 

YOU need to take action now. Click on this link http://www.sign4era.org 

Also, if you haven’t signed the http://www.sign4era.org receive notifications, please do so NOW. We arelooking for a million signers. Share with everyone you know to take action. 

Please keep in touch with your Senators using the NFBPWC “One Click.” We have been promised a revisit and we need to be ready.

By: Susan Oser
NFBPWC Advocacy Team LGBTQIA+ Lead 

LGBTQ+ Icon of the Month:  Sylvia Rivera

Why highlight?

Sylvia Rivera was one of the first transgender LGBT, Latina activists for transgender justice and civil rights.  She was homeless and worked with Marsha P. Johnson (featured last month).   She was one of the many people who became part of the infamous Stonewall Riots.  Because of her work, she blazed a trail for other transactivists to follow in her footsteps. 

Source(s): 

Sylvia Rivera Trans Movement 

Founder video -https://youtu.be/ybnH0HB0lqc?si=uhu_2Oy3kf4yinfi 

How to Honor Sylvia Rivera’s Legacy - https://www.them.us/story/how-to-honor-sylvia-riveraslegacy 

Slyvia Rivera Changed Queer and Trans Activism Forever -https://www.them.us/story/sylvia-rivera Good LGBTQ+ News for March:  

• The first results from the 2022 U.S. Trans Survey were released last week. Over 92,000 people across the U.S. participated in the survey, making it the largest survey ever of transgender people in this country. View the highlights and download the full Early Insights report at https://USTransSurvey.org. 

• LGBT Detroit Turns 30: What You Need to Know About North America's Largest Black-Led LGBTQ+ Organization - Leaders reflect on the legacy of the Michigan-based org http://tinyurl.com/ab7c2eny And now for the BAD news: 

• Republicans Are Trying to Pass Laws That Define What It Means to Be ‘Male’ Or ‘Female’ Advocates say the conservative push to define “sex” is not only politically motivated but goes against basic biology. http://tinyurl.com/ykctmjdr 

• Against the Erasure of Black Queer History - When there are efforts to censor Black queer history in classrooms, to prevent trans folks from changing their gender markers or using the bathrooms they prefer, we must resist. Resistance of erasure is resistance to oppression.  http://tinyurl.com/2temt3h3 

• Anti-Trans Legislative Risk Assessment Map - February Update - 6 weeks into 2024, there are already 400+ bills targeting transgender people. This map assesses the risk of the worst laws passing. https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/anti-trans-legislative-risk-assessment96f?r=k9h1j&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web## 

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

Donna De La Rosa is the Director of School Partnerships with the Boys & Girls Club of West San Gabriel Valley & Eastside. In this role, Donna manages a large team to facilitate a contract with the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District to provide after school program services to 8 schools in the district ranging from TK-8^th grade students, including homework assistance, physical and enrichment activities. Donna also works directly with the principals of the schools and the district directly to collaborate in providing the most essential services to their students. 

Donna brings with her over 26 years of work experience in the healthcare field working for AHMC Healthcare Inc. Donna worked at the hospital level for over 25 years as the Director of Business Development and one year as the Executive Assistant to the Senior Executive Vice President at the corporate level of the company. Donna has also been affiliated with the AHMC Health Foundation for 

over ten years, assisting the organization and execution of their bi-annual galas and most recently the Administrator for the Foundation, organizing and scheduling board meetings, taking meeting minutes and maintaining website content. 

On a voluntary basis, Donna has been involved with the Boys & Girls Club of West San Gabriel Valley & Eastside, providing support at several fundraiser activities including their golf tournaments and galas along with being a judge, mentor and chair for several Youth of the Year events over the last 20 years. Her passion for providing services to children in need led her to leave the healthcare profession and make the career move to the Boys & Girls Club. 

• What year did you join BPW? 2023 

• WHY did you join BPW? I was nominated and received the East Los Angeles Montebello Woman of Achievement award. I was invited to join the same evening that I received the award.  

• HOW has BPW helped your career and personal lifestyle? In the short time that I have been a member, I have received empowerment from this group, both personally and professionally. I know I have a powerful, strong and educated group of women behind me to support me through my ongoing career. 

• What wisdom can you pass on to other members? The wisdom that I can pass on to other members is to be your authentic self. Never be afraid to stand up for what you believe in. Have faith in your decisions and never hesitate to reach out for help.  

• How does BPW benefit by having you as a member? I feel that BPW can benefit from having me as a member as I can bring the perspective of working with both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations in my career. I have also worked in various industries, including retail, healthcare and currently youth development.  

• List any social media handles you'd like us to tag you with.  

Instagram: @goblue4life 

Facebook: Donna De La Rosa

The National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs (NFBPWC) and Business and Professional Women of Canada are proud to be co-hosting a hybrid parallel event at the 2024 United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68).

Register soon for:

CSW68 Parallel Event: Global Collaboration to Tackle Period Poverty

Date:  March 13, 2022

Time:  2:30 PM - 4:00 PM (note time change/spring forward on March 12th)

[Use this time difference calculator to determine the time in your area. Note that the time will change for some countries when the U.S. moves to Daylight Time]

REGISTRATION DETAILS:

To register for this online Zoom event only please register here using this event registration form on nfbpwc.org within this event.  https://nfbpwc.wildapricot.org/event-5585243 

This is a Hybrid event.

In-person has a limit of 200 attendees at the Salvation Army Auditorium in New York City.

Virtual has a limit of 400 attendees and it will be held on Zoom.

CONTACT
Please feel free to contact us at csw@nfbpwc.org if you have any questions!

LEGAL NOTICES:

• Consent to Public Posting of Photos and Video:  When you register for, and by entering a NFBPWC Zoom event online, you consent, individually and on behalf of your company, to be photographed or recorded by the meeting organizers and the NFBPWC organization. Participants consent to their images and video being reproduced for subsequent use in the media, webcasts, internal and external promotional purposes, and inclusion on websites and social media. Images are shared publicly with open access for use.

Information Consent:  By completing the registration form, you are agreeing to allow NFBPWC to store the personal information submitted. NFBPWC will use this information to provide you the content requested, as well as occasional organizational updates to your inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time.

The annual BPW International Leader's Summit in New York, March 8-9, 2024, is a meeting for BPW members from all over the world who are interested in developing our association and who take their findings back to their countries and disseminate them there. 

The Clare Fulcher Dinner, March 8, initiated as a meeting to acknowledge the UN Representatives, is open to all and brings the Leader's Summit to close in a festive setting.

Leaders' Summit - Friday and Saturday, March 8-9, 2024, Harmonie Club, 4 East 60th Street, New York, https://www.harmonieclub.org/: 90 places available, Ticket: 300 Euros for the catering (breakfast upon arrival - coffee break - buffet lunch - coffee break) on both days (tickets for both days only). This price is lower than the cost price; BPW International is paying for the Leaders' Summit venue in full and for part of the catering costs; all speakers, moderators and contributors are working voluntarily and free of charge.

Clare Fulcher Dinner - Friday, March 8, 2024, Reception with Aperitif Riche 17:00-19:00pm local time, Harmonie Club, 4 East 60th Street, New York, https://www.harmonieclub.org/: 90 places available. Ticket: 75 Euros. The program allows us to network and includes an Aperitif Riche and a Candle Lighting Ceremony. 

Registration is mandatory; participation in the Leaders' Summit does not include registration for the Clare Fulcher Dinner.

Tickets will be allocated, with BPW members holding an office having first priority. In addition, participants from as many countries as possible will be considered. Registrations from Young BPW will also be accepted. 

The following forms must be filled out in order to be considered:

Pre-Registration: https://form.jotform.com/bpwinternational/pre-registration-2024-NewYork

Questionnaire: https://form.jotform.com/bpwinternational/questionnaire-LS-2024

Full information can be found here: https://www.bpw-international.org/un/csw68-2024/

Hotel in New York - Westgate New York Grand Central

As in previous years, hotel rooms have been reserved for BPW members at the Westgate Hotel in 2024. All details can be found in the adjacent flyer from the Westgate Hotel. 

> Flyer as pdf

> Booking Link

> Website Hotel

Booking Code on the website: 65-245

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

Great news NFBPWC and the Canadian Federation will be hosting a Parallel event at CSW68 in New York.  Our time will be March 13, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time.   You can join either in person or on Zoom.   For your information I am repeating how to register from my January article.   

This is a once-a-year event and I encourage you to take time and register and attend several events.   There are 100s of events to choose from and of course register for our event.  You can register for as many as you want for free.

Registration is now open.   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 https://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.

NEWS –Due to unrest and increasing costs the International Executive Committee has elected to move the International Congress to St. Kitts.  That means it will be in our Regional.  The Congress will be held November 17 – 20.    If you have never been to an International Congress, this is a great time to plan to attend.    St. Kitts is a beautiful island and they are very hospitable.  We will be staying at the same hotel that we were at for the Regional meeting last January.   It will be a long time before the International Congress comes back to our Region.   So save  the date.   Here are a couple of pictures of St. Kitts.

THANK YOU!!

A big thank you to all of you who contributed to raising funds to send to our BPW Sisters in the Ukraine.  Last October we asked you to make donations so that we could help send money to aid our BPW sisters in the Ukraine.   

BPW UK President Jo Kinsey has worked with Amelie LeClerc from BPW France and together they have secured funding totaling €25,000 or $27,815 to purchase a van to send to the Ukraine.  But they did not want to send it empty, so additional funding was needed to fill it up with medical supplies, solar panels, and everyday needs.  

Thanks to your generous donations we raised $1,000.  This money was sent to BPW International and is being spent to fill up the van with these needed supplies.    

UK President Jo Kinsey is most grateful for our support.  You have made a difference in these ladies’ lives.  Thank you for your generous support.

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

Do register for the NGO CSW68 Forum! 

It is free and all events are online. (Some events are both in person and online.) The Forum runs from March 10 (Consultation Day), the day after the IFBPW Summit (March 8-9), to March 20. It runs 24 hours each day to accommodate all time zones.  [Our NGO’s official name at the UN is the International Federation of Business and Professional Women, not BPW-International.] Go to the NGO CSW/NY’s webpage and register for the CSW68 Forum so that you will have access online to all events, including parallel events, conversation circles, booths, morning briefings, and the webpage for each event. This year there will be an Artisan Fair held at the Armenian Center.

You can browse the website now - it is much easier than last year. The calendar of events should be posted soon.  If you have a question, go to NGO CSW/NY CSW68 to find the answer. There are many tutorials to answer your questions and to explain how to get involved with advocating for the 6 recommendations that NGO CSW is suggesting for the negotiated Outcome Document.

The event I am organizing with Marilou McPhedran, Senator Canada, is “Addressing Poverty: Basic Livable Income Bills” sponsored by Feminist Parliamentarians and co-sponsored by the International Federation of Business and Professional Women. It is on Tuesday, 12 March, at 12:30.

Hope to see you there on Zoom.

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/

FEBRUARY Highlights in US Women’s History

February is Black History Month

Black History Month recognizes and honors important people and events in the history of African-American history.  In 1926 noted historian, Carter G. Woodson, originated the idea of “Negro History Week”. Woodson chose the second week of February because it marked the birthdays of two Americans who greatly influenced the lives and social condition of African Americans – former President Abraham Lincoln and abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
The tradition of what became Black History Month greatly influenced the expansion of academic scholarship and the corresponding recognition of the rich history of African Americans

Take the Black Women’s History Challenge

Celebrate Black History Month

February Highlights in US Women’s History

• February 1, 1978 – First postage stamp to honor a black woman, Harriet Tubman, is issued in Washington, DC

• February 4, 1987 – First “National Women in Sports Day” is celebrated by Presidential Proclamation

• February 11, 1989 – Rev. Barbara Harris became the first woman bishop in the American Episcopal Church and in the Anglican Communion worldwide.

• February 12, 1869 – The Utah Territorial Legislature passes a bill allowing women to vote

• February 15, 1921 – The Suffrage Monument, depicting Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Lucretia Mott, sculpted by Adelaide Johnson, is dedicated at the U.S. Capitol

• February 15, 1953 – Tenley Albright became the first American woman to win the World Figure Skating championship

• February 17, 1870 – Esther Hobart Morris in Wyoming became the first American woman Justice of the Peace

• February 24, 1912 – Henrietta Szold founds Hadassah, the largest Jewish organization in American history, focusing on healthcare and education in the Israel and the U.S.

• February 24, 1967 – Jocelyn Bell Burnell makes the first discovery of a pulsar, a rapidly rotating neutron star

• February 27, 1922 – U.S. Supreme Court upholds the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which guarantees women the right to vote

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