By: Barbara Jean Maresca
PA Affiliate Member 

November 2, 2024—a day to remember, as women marched across the nation to celebrate our strengths,  compassion, and commitment to equality. Me? I journeyed to Washington, D.C., to join the thousands of Women who marched to the White House. It became all the more meaningful thanks to the incredible women  who shared this experience with me, each contributing to this unforgettable moment in their own unique way. 

• Molly McGregor. Santa Rosa, CA, co-founder and former Executive Director of the National Women’s  History Project. Now known as the National Women’s History Alliance.  

• Ruthie Danielsen. Washington State. Beekeeper 

• Carol Comito. WA D.C. Women’s Advocate 

• Rosita Stevens-Holsey. Author, activist & historian. Maryland 

• Rev. Dr. Terri Ofori. Dean at Brooks School, Massachusetts 

• Anna Pauline "Pauli" Murray (November 20, 1910 – July 1, 1985) was an American author, civil rights  lawyer, legal scholar and theorist, and – later in life – an Episcopal priest. 

Once I decided to join the Women’s March in Washington, D.C., on November 2, 2024, the next step was  planning the trip. My treasured friend Ruthie Danielsen, flying in from Washington State, and I began  searching for a place to stay. I also reconnected with my valued friend Carol Comito—a former BPW colleague  from 25 years ago—who now lives in D.C. As it turned out, Carol graciously became our chauffeur for four  days, adding her own charm and vigor to the adventure. 

As plans unfolded, my friend Molly McGregor, introduced me to Rosita Stevens-Holsey, Executive Vice  President of the new Board of Directors for the National Women’s History Alliance (NWHA). 

Living near the D.C. area, Rosita was thrilled to join us for a tour of the Library of Congress. She also brought  along her great-niece, Rev. Dr. Terri Ofori, who was visiting her aunt Rosita from Massachusetts and is also a  resolute member of the National Women’s History Alliance Board.  

Let me tell you—I was surrounded by four simply inspirational and motivating women for days! 

Ruthie Danielsen, a beekeeper from Washington State, was a whirlwind of inspiration and energy. The  last time I saw her was in Washington, D.C., when she was invited to speak at the Smithsonian. She had  bought the first Giant Hornet nest eradicated in the U.S. in October 2020 and donated it to the  Smithsonian, cementing her legacy as an enthusiastic advocate for environmental awareness. You should  know that Ruthie carried a vial of water containing a 2-inch specimen of the Giant Hornet. She captivated  everyone she met, sharing fascinating insights into this remarkable creature. 

Ruthie Danielsen. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/giant-murder-hornet has-landed-at-the-natural-history-museum-180980431/ 

https://backyardbeekeeping.iamcountryside.com/health-pests/eradication-through-education/ 

Carol Comito, originally from Philadelphia, retired as Arizona State University Professor, in advance of  her move to WA DC., where she immersed herself in the action surrounding women’s history and  advocacy. True to her passion, she took us to the celebrated Woman’s National Democratic Club  (WNDC/The Whittmore House) ensuring our time in D.C. was nothing short of extraordinary.  https://democraticwoman.org/museum-gallery 

Since 1920, The WNDC/ The Whittmore House was a museum of decorative furniture, paintings,  sculptures, and of course photographs of remarkable women—most notably Eleanor Roosevelt. I was  awestruck as I stood in the very room where Mrs. Roosevelt broadcast her weekly messages to the nation.  https://thenewpress.com/books/first-lady-of-radio 

• Carol, VP of Diversity and Outreach for the National Women’s Political Caucus, is dedicated to  finding, recruiting, training and supporting women candidates for elected and appointed office. 
• While Carol’s current work is strictly volunteer, she is seeking – She is seeking a new career  opportunity.
• https://nwpc.org/carol-comito/ 
• https://www.fhtimes.com/stories/original-liberal-ladies-leadership-moving-on,427410I conclude with 3 more inspiring women:  

• Rosita Stevens-Holsey 

• Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray 

• Reverend Dr. Terri Ofori 

Rosita Stevens-Holsey is a distinguished author, activist and educator. She is an invaluable,  steadfast contributor, and board member of the Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice  in Durham, North Carolina. As a historian and mentor, exemplifies the continuation of social reform.  

Rosita Stevens-Holsey. http://www.preservingpaulimurray.com 

https://www.womenshistory.org/about-us/our-people/rosita-stevens-holsey 

Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray's (Nov. 20^th, 1910-Jully 1, 1985) groundbreaking work and enduring  influence in the civil rights movement and legal protection for gender equality 

Dr. Pauli was a poet, lawyer, activist, and the first Black woman ordained as an Episcopal priest.  Her work continues to resonate deeply, especially with the release of the documentary My Name  is Pauli Murray. This film offers a profound look into her contributions and struggles, illuminating  the breadth of her impact. 

Reverend Dr. Terri Ofori, niece to Rosita, & Dr. Pauli, carries on the role of historic change, as the  Dean of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, as well as the Chaplain at the Brooks School, MA.  

While this journey was phenomenal and created wonderful life-long memories, “We won’t go back.”  President Biden must publish the Equal Rights Amendment before Donald Trump takes the White House in  January 2025.  

We must continue to demand ERANow, and resume mobilizing around the nation. We at NFBPWC are a  coalition of empowered individuals, and we must ensure that all Americans have constitutional protections  against gender-based discrimination. 

The time is now! Are you in?

By: Nancy Werner
NFBPWC Advocacy Team ERA Lead (2022-2026)

EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT

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 AGAIN to take the time RIGHT NOW to

sign onto this link: http://www.sign4ERA.org. When you visit this site, there is much information given to you. Take time to read all the interesting articles. Need a program? Just take time to read and prepare.

And never forget to keep in touch with your U.S. Representatives and U.S. Senators using the NFBPWC “One Click.”

By: 2024-2026 Executive Committee

The National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs (NFBPWC) acknowledges the re-election of President Donald Trump. As a nonpartisan organization dedicated to the advancement of working women, we will continue pushing for gender equity, economic opportunity, healthcare access, and workplace protections for women.

NFBPWC remains steadfast in our commitment to advancing the rights and opportunities of business and professional women. We encourage the Trump administration to prioritize issues that are essential to women’s economic security and career advancement. We will continue to advocate for initiatives and policies that strengthen economic security and equality for women.  

By: Angie Jackson-Wilson
NFBPWC Nominations Chair 2024-2026

The Nominations Committee's meeting on October 14, 2024, underscored a proactive approach to leadership recruitment within the organization. By engaging with affiliates to identify potential candidates, the committee is fostering a collaborative environment that is essential for organizational growth. This strategy not only diversifies the pool of

expertise but also ensures that leadership roles are filled with individuals who have a deep understanding of the organizations' unique perspectives and challenges. The committee's commitment to this process is commendable and will likely contribute to the robust governance and dynamic future of the organization. We are seeking volunteers to serve on the committee.

By: Sandy Thompson
NFBPWC Finance Chair, finance@nfbpwc.org

Do you own a business? Do you have a friend who owns a business? If so, this is the place to advertise.

Why should you advertise -

• it can increase sales
• it is a way to inform customers of a new product or service
• remind customers about your products and encourage them to buy again
• you can distinguish yourself from your competitors
• explain your company values

We are an organization of women helping women, so we want to support one another

According to entrepreneur.com prices for advertising can range from $250 for a small ad in a local magazine up to around $500,000 for placement in a national magazine.

We are a National magazine and our prices are much better. If you are a member, you can place a quarter page ad for only $25.00. Even a full-page ad is only $85.00, a much better deal than the average for a magazine.

Our magazine is sent to approximately 518 people.

Please see the section on how to submit an ad and the price list.

By: Teressa Gehrke
NFBPWC Digital Training Special Committee Chair 

Looking for a few good women! 

Are you tech savvy? Join the Digital Training Committee. Email DigitalTraining@nfbpwc.org, if you’re interested. The committee will support the chair with ongoing tech news through blogs, articles, and quarterly events. 

Upcoming Digital Training 

The next Digital Training event is Sunday, December 15, 2024, 5:00 pm MDT. This virtual event will cover Zoom features and putting your best face forward personally and professionally. Visit https://nfbpwc.org/event-5924848 to register. 

Here are some resources to review before our event: 

• Zoom Learning Center 

• Zoom on YouTube 

For additional technology assistance or questions, please  

email: DigitalTraining@nfbpwc.org.

By: Angie Jackson-Wilson & Varnell Kinnen
NFBPWC Bylaws and Resolution Chair & Co-Chair 2024-2026 

The Bylaws and Resolutions Committee's recent meeting on October 14, 2024, marks a  significant step in the organization's commitment to aligning governing documents with  the organization's mission. Over the next two years, this focus will be reiterated to  reinforce the importance of consistency and collaboration among affiliates. The  encouragement for each affiliate to nominate a representative to serve on the committee  is a proactive approach to ensure diverse perspectives and inclusive decision-making.  This initiative not only strengthens the committee's function but also empowers affiliates  

to actively contribute to the organization's future. The collective effort will undoubtedly lead to a more robust  and mission-focused governance structure. 

By: Susan Oser
NFBPWC Advocacy Team LGBTQ+ Lead 

LGBTQ+ Advocacy Team: Amanda L Collier, DC, PA Affiliate Chapter Member 

It seems like national politics are dominating our news stations, papers, and social media  feed. Not uncommon in a presidential election year, we can easily lose sight of how local  actions are making a difference in the lives of our children. 

School boards around the country are developing policies that restrict personal  expressions, particularly if that person is of the LGBTQ+ community. Earlier this year, we saw Florida  lawmakers work to ban pride flags in schools with FL HB901 (24R), by associating pride flags with a political  stance. The well publicized “Don’t Say Gay” law restricts far more than flags throughout the state of Florida.  Statewide and national laws often become well known news stories, but what about rules made directly at the  school board level. These restrictive policies rarely make news, and few people attend local school board  meetings on a regular basis. 

In my small town of Berwick, PA, politics are generally conservative, and our recent school board election  proved that. Election posters spouted sayings like “Parental Rights,” “Don’t Experiment On Our Children,”  and others pushing for removal of Critical Race Theory from our schools. (There is no class in our schools that  currently teaches Critical Race Theory.) For the last 3 months, The Berwick School Board has been debating a  rule to remove all flags from the classroom, except for the American flag, flags for state and local governments,  the Armed Forces and school sanctioned activities. Any other flags would be prohibited on school grounds. 

Despite a robust turnout of parents and community members speaking against the rule, it passed the board  on Monday, October 15th with only two members voting against the measure. It is important to note that one  of the two nay votes was because the measure didn’t go far enough by banning pride flags on cars in the  parking lot as well. 

Although Northeastern Pennsylvania is known for being a conservative area, our more progressive areas  around Philadelphia are not immune to these measures. Two schools in Bucks County, Central Bucks and  Penridge, faced lawsuits after banning Pride flags in the last two years. 

So, what can we do to support our LGBTQ+ youth and let them know that they are safe in our communities? 

1. Join a local parent’s group. Even if you are not a parent, many of these groups need allies and  volunteers. If you can’t make every meeting, you can volunteer at special events or even just share the  events on social media. Find an organization near you at pflag.orgor  https://www.strongfamilyalliance.org/ 

2. Vote in your local school board elections. They may not make national news, but they make  policies that affect our youth. 

3. Go to a local school board meeting. Just like all politicians, school board members work for us  and should be held accountable for their actions. 

4. Consider flying a pride flag in your place of employment. If you don’t have the option of hanging  a flag, you can wear a pin to let everyone know you are an ally. 

Sources: 

Central Bucks moves forward with policy censoring classroom decor and discussions — despite federal  investigation - https://whyy.org/articles/central-bucks-school-district-pride-flag-ban-lgbtq-advocacy policy-321/

Why We’re Taking Legal Action - Again - Against the Central Bucks School District https://www.aclupa.org/en/news/why-were-taking-legal-action-again-against-central-bucks-school district 

HB 901: Display of Flags by Governmental Entities - https://flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2024/901#:~:text=Display%20of%20Flags%20by%20Governmental %20Entities%3B%20Prohibits%20certain%20governmental%20entities,States%20flag%20in%20certain% 20position.  

New Berwick policy bans Pride flags in school, causes outrage among LGBTQ allies - https://www.wvia.org/news/local/2024-10-15/new-berwick-policy-bans-pride-flags-in-school causes-outrage-among-lgbtq-allies 

LGBTQ+ Dates for November – 

November is Trans Awareness Month 

November 6 - Transgender Parent Day 

November 8 - Intersex Day of Remembrance 

November 13-19 - Trans Awareness Week 

November 20 - Transgender Day of Remembrance 

Good LGBTQ+ News– 

800 service members kicked out under DADT just got discharges upgraded to honorable - https://tinyurl.com/mst5cuwp 

These 5 LGBTQ+ business leaders are transforming the world - https://tinyurl.com/3bwaenzm 

21 transgender and nonbinary politicians making history in state legislatures - https://tinyurl.com/yc37bece 

Helplines 

The Trevor Project: (866) 488-7386 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255 

Ali Forney Day Center: (212) 206-0574 

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Info: (800) 342-AIDS (2437), Spanish service: (800) 344- 7432, TDD service for the deaf: (800) 243-7889, [10:00am till 10:00pm EST, Monday through Friday] 

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender National Hotline: (888) 843-4564 

The GLBT National Youth Talkline (youth serving youth through age 25): (800) 246-7743 The National Runaway Switchboard: (800) RUNAWAY (786-2929) 

If you have any news or leads on anything related to LGBTQ+ news, issues, and organizations, please contact  Sue Oser at soser@nfbpwc.org. If you would like to help Susan educate on these issues, please let her know  as well. She is also available for presentations and any questions you may have.

By: Nancy Werner
NFBPWC Advocacy Team ERA Lead (2022-2026) 

EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT – A Special Report from Patricia Rayl 

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.  

Today we are honored to have a report from Patricia Rayl who has a firsthand experience story to share with us. Please take time to read this excellent review. 

NFBPWC members Susan Murphy and I were in Washington DC recently as part of the “Project Sentinel.” 

We came to Washington D.C. and specifically the White House, to protest in support of the Equal Rights  Amendment. I am sure most of you know, that the Equal Rights Amendment was big news in the1970s and  ‘80s. But you might not know the details about why it’s not already the 28^th Amendment to the U.S.  Constitution. 

People may remember the name of Alice Paul, and her struggle in support of U.S. women’s rights to vote.  After the 19^th Amendment was codified into law, she realized that women still didn’t have equality under the 

Constitution. She created the Equal Rights Amendment in 1923, and it was first introduced to Congress in  1924. 

The amendment states simply: “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United  State or by any state on account of sex.” 

The ERA picked up steam during the women’s movement of the 1970’s, and I was 9 years old when Michigan passed it in 1972.  

I watched with dismay as the effort fizzled in the 1980’s because of the deadline placed into the preamble of the amendment. Then, the Congressional Compensation Act of 1789 was ratified as the 27^th Amendment to the Constitution. That meant there was no actual deadline for ratification. 

Support was rallied, and the final three states needed to pass the Equal Rights Amendment-Nevada, Illinois and Virginia being the last in January 2020. Unfortunately, this was during the Trump Administration, and then Attorney General Bill Barr instructed the National Archivist not to publish the 28^th Amendment, which is the last step in making it official. The Equal Rights Amendment  has been in limbo ever since.  

Recently, the American Bar Association dedicated time and scholarship to look at the issues holding up the  Equal Rights Amendment and issued a statement that the ERA is already law of the land. The publishing by  the National Archivist is an administrative step, and the  

Equal Rights Amendment stands as ratified. 

The U.S. Constitution does not have any statement about time limit preambles, nor is there any support in U.S. law for a state to withdraw its amendment support once it has passed. 

The Project Sentinel effort was to stand, as the suffragettes did in front of President Woodrow Wilson’s White House, but this time in support of the 28^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. A group of women from around the country gathered with signs to Joe Biden to instruct the National Archivist to publish the ERA as the 28^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. 

You, too, can text President Biden’s office at (302) 404-0880. I do daily! 

Patricia Rayl, BPW &AAUW member 

SIGN4ERA – May I encourage you AGAIN to take the time RIGHT NOW to sign onto this link:  http://www.sign4ERA.org. When you visit this site, there is much information given to you. Take time to  read all the interesting articles. Need a program? Just take time to read and prepare. 

And never forget to keep in touch with your U.S. Representatives and U.S. Senators using the NFBPWC “One  Click.”

By: Nancy Werner
NFBPWC Public Relations Chair (2024-2026) 

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

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