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.

By: Susan E. Oser
NFBPWC Rapid Response Committee Chair

Examples of Rapid Response Statements – 

In the past you have seen some of our statements on various issues, even issued by our president. Have you ever wondered what other organizations come out with Rapid Response-like comments or how they organize their own version?  Here are just a few

From the Washington College of Law American University – Rapid Response Panel: The Systematic Targeting of Journalists and Activists at Our Border - https://www.wcl.american.edu/news-events/events/detail/7656/

Rapid Response Team Debuts at UAW-Related Protests -

https://oberlinreview.org/20617/news/rapid-response-team-debuts-at-uaw-related-protests/

UnitedSteelWorkers - https://www.usw.org/act/activism/rapid-response

If you think that maybe there should be a workshop on Rapid Response or how it works within the coming year or you know of other organizations with a Rapid Response program, please let me know.

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.

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.

Wednesday, December 13^th came and went with little news on the media. The ERA- Coalition worked hard for us to remember that is 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. (For this list, please go to the Pennsylvania section and search for Lilly Gioia’s-January 2024 Legislation/Advocacy Report. She did a remarkable job researching the groups.)

But it was the weekly Ms. Memo: This Week in Women’s Rights had more information shared under-“100 Years, Not one More”: ERA Advocated Rally on Centennial Anniversary. Madelyn Amos, author, provided an excellent description of the day that started in Lafayette Square. The chants of “not one more year” were heard. The activists marched from the White House to the Capitol with the one mission –not one more year should pass without rights being protected by the Constitution on the basis of sex.

Lilly got it right that they made a few stops along the way. They made sure to visit the department of Justice to ask Attorney Merrick General Garland to remove the Trump Administration OLC memo that is blocking the ERA’s path. They then marched to visit the National Archives where U.S. Archivist Colleen Shogan was told that the ERA has met all the requirements according to Article V and to be published as the 28^th Amendment. It was here that Rep. Cori Bush, D-MO, met the group. She shared all the work highlighting the work of women of color to fight for equality. (Sidebar – Denice Robinson and I met her at the Seneca Falls gathering this past summer and she is a passionate dynamo for the ERA passage.)

But you can’t have a march without a press conference. At the House triangle, Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) was the main speaker but she was joined by many – Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-VA); Gloria L. Blackwell, CEO of American Association of University Women; Honorable Carolyn Maloney, Board Chair of ERA Coalition and former U.S. representative; Eleanor Smeal, President of Feminist Majority; Shalina Effendi, organizer of Generation Ratify; Kase Solomon, League of Women Voters; and, Margaret Mitchell, CEO of YWCA USA. (The photo above is as Eleanor Smeal speaking.)

One very important task for all of us – 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.

It is all written out for you. Please try it.

Also, if you haven’t signed the http://www.sign4era.orgto 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.

I was so hoping that the ERA might be achieved this year, but everyone went home in Washington D.C. - the House and Senate for the Holidays. There are so many issues that need attention. We need to keep working for the passage of the ERA. Just remember-Miracles do happen.

By: Susan Oser
NFBPWC Advocacy Team LGBTQIA+ Lead Happy New Year!

Hoping that you all had a wonderful holiday. As we start 2024 with new energy, I thought it was time to do something new for this column. In the past, we’ve covered the flags and the organizations of the LGBTQ+ community. This year, why not focus on the icons, activists and other people that make up this wonderful community. Just as we do in our own organization sharing the stories of the women around us and the women that make up the history of the BPW organization, it makes sense to do the same for this column. If you have any suggestions or personally know of someone you think should be highlighted this year for the column, please contact me at the email address below.

In addition to the icons, I’ll be sharing the good news and the bad news of what is happening within the community. It is still important to be aware of the current court cases in proceedings, discriminatory actions and more so that we as an organization can be better allies. At the same time, we also need to share and celebrate the good too.

LGBTQ+ Icon of the Month: Demi Lovato

Why highlight?

She is a popular singer-songwriter that came out as pansexual this year on the popular Joe Rogan Experience show. Their songs are beautiful, and they have been nominated for a Grammy. They are a popular icon among the younger demographic.

Source(s): https://www.demilovato.com/#/

Good LGBTQ+ News for January:

• New Legislation Package Introduced in Michigan: Removing Barriers for Legal Name Change; Accurate ID Documents and Birth Certificates – http://tinyurl.com/3h43jjrcTransgender, gender non-conforming, and non- binary people with incongruent identity documents are at a greater risk of experiencing violence and discrimination. Some states make it difficult and expensive for trans people to update their birth certificates or other identity documents, with some even requiring trans people to undergo surgery just to get an amended document.

• We Are Here: LGBTQ+ Adult Population in United States Reaches At Least 20 Million, According to Human Rights Campaign Foundation Report - http://tinyurl.com/y5scnwasAccording to an analysis of data in the Census Bureau’s recent Household Pulse Survey, 8% of respondents identified themselves as LGBTQ+, suggesting previous surveys undercounted the population.

• Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appoints members to state’s first LGBTQ+ Commission. http://tinyurl.com/49zu8y7vThe Governor named 13 members to the LGBTQ+ Commission the week of November 26th. The commissioners have not yet met and will set goals for improving life for the LGBTQ+ community in Michigan.

And now for the BAD news:

• UNAIDS officials say anti-gay laws impede fight against HIV/AIDS. http://tinyurl.com/5n6mbhddSixty-seven countries have laws that criminalize gay sex. In those countries, HIV prevalence rates are about five times higher among gay men than in countries where same-sex relations are not criminalized, according to figures from UNAIDS.

• Republican Congressman: Pass National Sports Ban To Make Trans People Detransition http://tinyurl.com/3zeeejyhRepresentative Glenn Grothman, in a hearing to ban trans people from playing sports of their gender identity, said a trans sports ban must pass because otherwise, trans people won't "switch back."

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

TWILA STOUT, February 8, 1938-November 27, 2023

I have known Twila Stout for more than 40 years. We originally met when I was the Merced County Librarian, and she worked in the main library. I was quickly impressed with her warmth, intelligence and sense of humor. One day I invited her out to lunch. As Twila has said many times – “Be wary of Bosses inviting you out to lunch.” I told her about the Business and Professional Women’s organization and invited her to join the Merced BPW, which she did. When anyone asked Twila how she became a BPW member, she would tell this story. When Merced BPW closed, she joined East Los Angeles-Montebello BPW (my Club) even though she was a long way from East Los Angeles-Montebello. When we were on Zoom, she would Zoom in, but only attended one in-person meeting and that was when she stayed with me for a couple of days. She also was a Dual Member of Berkeley and Downtown Sacramento BPW Clubs and would attend those meetings via Zoom.

She was born in Rose Bud, Arkansas, but left there as a child. She graduated from school in Merced. She married a contractor George “Bud” Stout so flew with him to various places around the United States where he was working. They had a son Tim, a daughter Terri, four grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and seven great- great-grandchildren. The marriage ended in divorce.

When Twila retired from the Merced County Library (although she never did really retire, but filled in at various branches when staff members were on vacation or sick), we had a roast-type program for her at the park behind the library. A large group of people from the community attended including the editor of the “Merced County Times” turned out to say they will miss her in the library.

Besides being active in BPW, she was a “Red Hat Lady” and active in Beta Sigma Phi, Merced Woman’s Club, Friends of the Merced County Library, AARP and ACPCA. She was most active in Toastmasters’ International and was in fifteen Clubs. She was the judge for many of their competitions and programs in California, the United States and around the world. She was also a mentor. The day after she died, she was to participate in the Singapore Toastmasters. They wondered why she was not there on Zoom. Twila was a wonderful storyteller.

Twila will be missed by all who knew her. Let’s all raise a glass of Coke to her as that is what she would have each day for breakfast, and let’s all continue to support and mentor others.

Linda Wilson, President, East Los Angeles-Montebello BPW

Jackie Melvin

See below submission from NFBPWC California Federation

With Profound Sadness from Barbara Bozeman

You may not know this, but within the small and mighty band of sisters, known as NFBPWC-North Carolina most of our members are Past State Presidents for BPW/NC. A few months ago, another past president joined our ranks – Gail Bradshaw Harper, from Kenansville, North Carolina.

I’m sad to report that Gail passed away on December 19th, 2023.

What I can tell you about Gail is that she was a kind and generous friend. We could and often did spend hours just chattering away like parrots, talking about so many things – and not just our BPW connection. She loved travelling and architecture. So many times, we talked about taking a road trip up to where I was from in RI because she always wanted to tour the mansions. She was also a competitive horsewoman in her youth. She talked of those days with great pride and joy.

Barbara Bozeman, Gail Harper and Marsha Riibner-Cady during Installation of Barbara as NC President

In her professional life, numbers were her “thing.” Gail spent many years working for others in accounting and then opened her own successful business “Accounting Solutions by Gail Harper” in her hometown of Kenansville.

She first joined BPW in 2004 and after only 4 years working at the club level, she stepped up to serve and enhance the North Carolina state organization and from 2010 to 2011, she served as the State President.

She was motivated to help anyone in need – and a great believer in and supporter of what the Business and Professional Women’s Clubs are all about. She championed many causes and helped support many efforts, the impact of which is immeasurable.

She is survived by her husband Wyatt, daughters Jessica and Jamie, and grandchildren, Ariel, Chloe, Nelson, and William and her brother Gary. She adored and cherished her family.

Most of you will never have the privilege of knowing Gail as we did. I know I speak for the North Carolinians when I say - We loved her very dearly, and we shall miss her so very much.