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/)

By: Manjul Batra
NFBPWC Nominations Chair

Webinar:  Leadership Gap / Way to Go

This webinar is led by Nominations Chair, Manjul Batra.

Members & Non-members invited to attend.

February 17, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time (10AM Pacific, 11AM Mountain, 12PM Central)

This program is to support growth, understanding & comfort zone for members of organizations, to take positions of leadership, setting a clear vision, and making informed decisions for different levels of leadership.

The information is provided today by our National & International leaders of Business & Professional Women to provide a clear vision of the BPW organization, its foundation, and tools provided for leadership growth & participation.

Speakers are in order of presentation and are to speak on the subjects mentioned below:  Each speaker has 30 minutes.

• Bessie Hironimus, Secretary BPW International:  International BPW Constitution, procedures and its applications.

• Elizabeth Benham, President, BPW International:  International operations, UN Advisory agencies, opportunities in International Trade & more.

• Daneene Monroe Rusnak: Vice President, Advocacy NFBPWC (2020-2024):  Public Policy (Advocacy) platform, commission on status of women, application & use.

Break 5 minutes.

• Kathy Kelly: Vice President Membership, NFBPWC, (2021-2024):  Training programs, availability of benefits, website information & use.

• Megan Shellman-Rickard: National President, NFBPWC, (2020-2024):  The Nitty Gritty of leadership at all levels

The Zoom Host will be Michelle Husby from Berkeley BPW.

Zoom details will be sent after registration.  You can register now at:  https://nfbpwc.wildapricot.org/event-5523806 

(The above speakers will be available later for questions or extra information via phone calls, day & time period to be specified. Details provided on the day of the program.)

By: Teressa Gehrke
NFBPWC Digital Training Chair, digitaltraining@nfbpwc.org 

Sextortion

Online sextortion is a form of blackmail where someone is threatening to share a nude, sexual image, or video of you to the public, like friends or family, unless you do what they demand. Typically, it is a financial demand or extortion to avoid sharing the images or videos publicly. 

Why is Online Sextortion important to know about? 

Sextortion is a crime because of the illegal act of threatening and blackmailing a person by threatening to release sexually explicit photos of that person. If the situation is ignored, your personal content may be published online or the blackmailer harasses and threatens you until their demands are met. These criminals are known to even reach out to loved ones to harass them as well.

Where are sextortion schemes common? 

Sextortion schemes occur online where young people feel most comfortable, such as social media platforms, most commonly on Instagram, Snapchat, and Wizz. It also occurs on gaming and dating sites, through sexting, video chat applications and forums, like Discord. 

Who is targeted by online sextortion? 

Predators and blackmailers create fake profiles and accounts to target minors. Unfortunately, more teens and minors are becoming victims to online sextortion. Adults, posing as peers online, target minors on messaging platforms befriending their target and gaining their trust. Then, the trust is manipulated and the victim is taken advantage of by them. High pressure and fear cause social, mental, psychological, and physical distress.

How can online sextortion be prevented? 

The best way to avoid online sextortion is to always be cautious and aware of who you are contacting, especially if it is with strangers. Sexually explicit content can be gathered by impersonation or by using malware to control a victim’s webcam, so it is important to also be aware of any links and attachments from sources you do not know and NEVER share sexually explicit images with others. If you are already threatened, it is important to:

• Resist the urge to engage with the blackmailer. 

• Never pay the ransom. There’s no guarantee that if you pay they won’t still release the sexually explicit content.

• Save all communications, including texts, emails or voice communications. This is evidence. Take screenshots. 

• Do not be afraid to get an adult, the police, or FBI involved. Ask for HELP!

• Remember, it’s not your fault. Somebody maliciously and intentionally attacked you online. It’s their fault!

Helpful Links:

• What is Sextortion? How to Prevent Online Blackmailing 

• FBI - Sextortion 

• What Can Happen If You Ignore Your Blackmailer 

• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children - Sextortion

• Sextortion case linked to 12-year-old's death 

For additional assistance or questions, please email: digitaltraining@nfbpwc.org.

Nermin K Ahmad, NFBPWC Women on the Move Committee Chair

Members:  Sher Singh, Emily VanVleck, Veronica Sexton, Cathleen Jeanty

By:Nermin K. Ahmad

Afghan Women Project: 

If you are interested in welcoming these new Americans, and answering their questions of offering the hand of friendship please contact us at Afghanwomen@nfbpwc.org, visit our home page at https://www.nfbpwc.org/Afghan-Women-Project.

By: Marsha Riibner-Cady
Chair, and Barbara Bozeman – Vice Chair

Join us in February

for a Neuropraphic Art Session!

Time Zones: 7pm ET | 6pm CT | 5pm MT | 4pm PT
Meetings are held monthly on the second Wednesday of the month. *Except for February 2023

Registration will be open on the website as of January 28th. 

How: Online via Zoom. Details will be provided upon registration.

Be sure to check out the NFBPWC Entrepreneur & Small Business (ESB) Committee page on the website, and the Blog Page for NFBPWC, as well as the NFBPWC Facebook page(s), and the NFBPWC Marketplace page.  

     ESB Page - https://nfbpwc.org/entrepreneur-business-program

     Blog Post -  https://nfbpwc.org/NFBPWC-Blog

     NFBPWC FB - https://www.facebook.com/NatlFedBPWC

     NFBPWC Marketplace -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/nfbpwcmarketplace/

By: Susan E. Oser
NFBPWC Rapid Response Committee Chair

Rapid Response in 2024

With the new year there will be new issues and old to respond to.

This current presidential year will have a lot of issues to response to from immigration to the economy, and of course women’s issues that affect all of us here in the NFBPWC organization.  While it can be overwhelming, it’s important to note that we all cannot just speak on one issue alone.  We need to be cognizant of all issues but put a voice to those issues that affect us or those we care about personally or the ones that most speak to us.

So what issues are you going to speak about this year?  What issues are most important to you in 2024?  What issues do you think should be important for NFBPWC in 2024?

Please connect with Sue Oser at rapidresponse@nfbpwc.org if 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.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: 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.