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Young BPW Blog

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  • Immediate Past President

    1 Mar 2025 12:20 PM | Kemi Oyebade (Administrator)

    We Need More Molly Browns!

    A person in a dress leaning on a chair AI-generated content may be incorrect.

    Margaret “Molly” Brown was born Margaret Tobin in 1867 to Irish immigrants in Missouri, never referredto herself as “Molly Brown.” Her story is one full of incredible true stories from surviving the Titanicand striking it rich in Leadville, Coloradoto participating in various progressive passions, especially women’s rights. The mythology surrounding the character “Molly Brown” is credited to her theatrical nature and the American imagination, especially regarding the women of the West.

    “She is a magnificent example of when you seesomething and have the ability to fix it, that’s whatyou do,” saidBeth Malone, playing MargaretBrown in the musical, The Unsinkable MollyBrown (http://transportgroup.org/project/the-unsinkable-molly-brown/)

    As a child of immigrants, Margaret Brown believed in sharing her wealth after she and her husband, James Joseph “J.J.” Brown, became multimillionaires. She invested her time and newly acquired affluence in causes like homes for pregnant girls, immigration rights, labor rights, juvenile defenders, and women’s suffrage. According to the Molly Brown House Museum in Denver, Colorado:

    “Margaret had been a staunch supporter of thewomen’s rights movement from the verybeginning in Leadville, and made no qualmsabout the fact that she believed in her right to beheard on varying subjects, whether her opinionwas solicited or not, because simply enough,she was a grown woman, living in America.”

    The National American Woman Suffrage Organization was formed in 1890 and Margaret Brown had been active in the National Women’s Suffrage Association even in her days in Leadville, Colorado (she moved there in 1885). Margaret’s work continued when she moved to Denver. She was notorious for holding fundraisers benefiting humanitarian causes and was credited as a woman who could “show the iron hand beneath the glove of glistening silk.”

    A person holding a trophy AI-generated content may be incorrect.

    One of the survivors of the Titanic in 1912, Margaret was famous for using her language and leadership skills to help lifeboat #6 to safety. Margaret Brown used her moment in the limelight to continue to propel social justice in America. Despite the nation’s lack of progression for women’s rights, she remained an instrumental suffragist for over 30 years. According to Women’s Public Leadership, “Brown made several runs for Congress years before all women were guaranteed the right to vote, and in 1914, she ran for Colorado’s U.S. Senate seat and organized the International Women’s Rights Conference that same year.”

    At the end of her life, Margaret Brown was awarded the French Legion of Honor for her courageous actions aboard the Titanic and other internationally acclaimed work. David Aron Damane, who played Brown’s husband JJ in The Unsinkable Molly Brown, said it best,

    “She was strong, opinionated and would fight furiously to right any wrong. The world needs more Molly Browns.”

    Please continue to reach out to me personally or professionally as we continue our work to make NFBPWC a better organization, because together we are stronger.A close-up of a person Description automatically generated

    Best Personal Wishes,

    Megan Shellman-Rickard

    Immediate Past National President

    immpastpresident@nfbpwc.org

    Sources for reference:

    https://mollybrown.org/about-us/about-molly-brown/

    https://womenspublicleadership.net/blog/womenshistorymonth-the-unsinkable-molly-brown

    https://www.britannica.com/biography/Molly-Brown

    https://www.forbes.com/sites/jerylbrunner/2020/02/28/decades-before-women-had-the-right-to-vote-margaret-molly-brown-was-a-fierce-bandit-for-human-rights/

  • Young BPW

    1 Mar 2025 12:15 PM | Kemi Oyebade (Administrator)

    A Roadmap for Young WomenLogo Description automatically generated

    As you all remember, last month I announced the new YBPW initiative, “A Roadmap for Young Women.” You likely also noticed that I have not followed up on this at all. Unfortunately, I was part of the thousands of Americans who have lost their jobs due to Trump’s freeze on federal spending, specifically in foreign assistance. My company knew this was coming and I was working crazy overtime trying to get as much money to my partners overseas as I could for work they had already completed prior to our stop work orders; before my company couldn’t afford to do so anymore. Then once I was indefinitely furloughed, I took many moments to just breathe and evaluate what to do next. All of this is a long backstory to say that I am trying to get back on my game now and will be sending out this survey soon. I suddenly have copious amounts of free time and am looking forward to spending it with you all and hearing your stories!

    I would like to close my monthly update with a request: if you have the time and would be willing to volunteer some of your time to supporting the thousands of women making a transition out of international development, please let me know!

    Our entire industry is gone and most of us are having to pivot ourselves to new careers for the first time. My colleagues and I have been putting together resource guides for this information to be shared.

    If you have any advice you’d like to share, it would be greatly appreciated!

    What is Young BPW?

    If you're between the ages of 18-35 and are looking to collaborate on BPW local and international initiatives – including career, leadership, and women's rights -- then Young BPW is for you!

    Young BPW members exchange ideas, information, and support to help keep all members achieving their career potential. We offer a tight-knit, engaged community, as well as leadership opportunities, resources, and career-focused programs.

    Email us at: youngbpw@nfbpwc.orgA person standing in front of a monument Description automatically generated

    Bryn Norrie NFBPWC Young BPW Chair

    2024-2026

    Keep in the loop of Young BPW activities and join in on them by following us on:

    A logo of a camera AI-generated content may be incorrect.@YoungBPWUSA

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/YoungBPWUSA


    Remarkable Woman – Yursa Mardini

    This month, I would like to highlight Yursa Mardini. Yursa is a 26-year-old woman born in Damascus, Syria. She was a promising young swimmer in Syria with dreams of qualifying for the Olympics. It was difficult for her to train when the Syrian Civil War broke out.

    After a missile destroyed her home, she and her sister, Sara, decided to flee Syria and go to Europe. They went through Lebanon and Turkey before getting on to a small boat organized by a migrant smuggler. There were 18 people on this boat, despite the boat only being made to hold less than half of that. 

    This boat was supposed to take them to Greece. However, partway through their journey, their boat started sinking. Remarkably, Yursa and Sara used their strength in swimming to pull their boat through the water for 3 hours until they landed in Greece. Everyone aboard survived this treacherous journey.

    The sisters then traveled by foot to Germany from Greece and requested asylum in Germany. While in Germany, a swim coach found Yursa and began working with her.

    Eventually, Yursa qualified for the Olympics as part of the first-ever Refugee Olympic Team in 2016 and competed in the 100 m women’s butterfly and 100 m women’s freestyle events.

    Since then, she has become a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador and is considered one of the world's strongest advocates for refugee rights.

    In 2023, she started the Yursa Mardini Foundation to support global sports and education for refugees. Her story is truly inspiring and demonstrates the power of community and support even in the most desperate times.

    Yursa’s inspiring story has turned into a docu-drama titled “The Swimmers” and can be watched on Netflix.

  • A Roadmap for Young Women

    1 Feb 2025 12:20 PM | Kemi Oyebade (Administrator)

    By: Bryn Norrie
    Young BPW Chair, NFBPWC 2024-2026

    A Roadmap for Young Women

    This month, I am excited to announce the YBPW initiative “A Roadmap for Young Women.” Over the coming weeks and months, I will ask members to sit down for short 30-minute interviews focusing on their experiences in life and with BPW. I am also interested in learning more about the advice you would give to young women getting their start in the world today. These videos will be made publicly available and posted online. If this isn’t your thing - we can work together to find other ways to engage you!

    I have also stepped into the role of Regional YBPW. I am excited to take on this responsibility and work with RC Karen Gorgerat, and I will keep you all updated on our activities and work.

    These are crazy and chaotic times with all the changes going on around the world - please feel free to reach out to me if you ever need to talk to someone. Community is so fulfilling, and this is the time to lean into our community. As always, if you know any young

    women interested in joining BPW please have them reach out to me.

    What is Young BPW? 

    If you're between the ages of 18-35 and are looking to collaborate on BPW local and  international initiatives – including career, leadership, and women's rights -- then Young BPW is for you!

    Young BPW members exchange ideas, information, and support to help keep all members achieving their career potential. We offer a tight-knit, engaged community, as well as leadership opportunities, resources, and career-focused programs.

    Email us at: youngbpw@nfbpwc.org

    Keep in the loop of Young BPW activities and join in on them by either following us on:

    @YoungBPWUSA

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/YoungBPWUSA

  • NFBPWC Young BPW

    1 Jan 2025 12:15 PM | Kemi Oyebade (Administrator)

    By: Bryn Norrie
    Young BPW Chair, NFBPWC 2024-2026

    The new year is an exciting time for new initiatives. This year, I have a plethora of things that I would like to try and get better at.

    This includes trying to be more present with my friends and family as I begin to close a chapter of life; reflecting on and being grateful for that chapter as I move into a new one. 2024 was a big year for me. I think that the “2023 me” would not even recognize the “2024 me,” which is hopefully a good thing. The jury is still out on that.

    New Year’s always makes me so excited because each year of my life has been wildly different from each other, and I cannot wait to see what this next year has in store.

    I have some exciting YBPW initiatives that I am looking forward to getting starte and cannot wait to share with you all as I get ready to dive into the work. I hope that all of our reflections from this year, both personal and collective, can lead us into a happy new year filled with progress and joy!

    At the end of the year my family always breaks the oplatek wafer and says a little blessing I would like to share with you all know: Here’s the good health, wealth, and happiness in the new year!

    If you have any questions or ideas about YBPW you’d like to share, please let me know! Email us at youngbpw@nfbpwc.org

    What is Young BPW? 

    If you're between the ages of 18-35 and are looking to collaborate on BPW local andinternational initiatives – including career, leadership, and women's rights -- then Young BPW is for you!

    Young BPW members exchange ideas, information, and support to help keep all members achieving their career potential. We offer a tight-knit, engaged community, as well as leadership opportunities, resources, and career focused programs.

    Email youngbpw@nfbpwc.org to get involved as a Young BPW or Student today!

    Keep in the loop of Young BPW activities and join in on them by either following us on:

    @YoungBPWUSA

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/YoungBPWUSA

  • NFBPWC Young BPW

    1 Dec 2024 12:35 PM | Kemi Oyebade (Administrator)

    By: Bryn Norrie
    Young BPW Chair, NFBPWC 2024-2026

    Hello BPW!

    Coming off of the Thanksgiving holiday, I would like to reflect on the things for which I am grateful.

    The past couple of months have been really difficult for me. From a litany of things happening in my personal life that impacted me more than I expected, to national and international events that have broken my heart and tested my resolve. I feel like I have not been able to catch a break.

    As the holidays roll in, I have used them as an opportunity to reflect on the good things happening around me and find hope in the small things. To start, I am incredibly grateful that I have friends and family who I love and care about and who love and care about me in return. It is so nice to know that there are people around me who I can lean on in my times of need.

    In the same vein, I am grateful for this BPW community. Being surrounded by women who are like me and who have lived experiences similar to mine makes me feel sane. This community grounds my reality and gives me the opportunity to seek advice during difficult times and makes them feel less daunting.

    I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to grow and learn as a person. I have been able to do things that are scary to me, like presenting at an international conference, and been given the grace to be bad at them and get better for the next time.

    But most of all, I am grateful for the opportunity to experience all of life. Every hard day, every exciting piece of new, every person I interact with adds more vibrant colors to my life than I ever thought possible.

    As I continue my journey, that is really all I can ask for. What are you grateful for this holiday season?

    If you have any questions or ideas about YBPW you’d like to share, please let me know! Email us at youngbpw@nfbpwc.org

    What is Young BPW? 

    If you're between the ages of 18-35 and are looking to collaborate on BPW local andinternational initiatives – including career, leadership, and women's rights -- then Young BPW is for you!

    Young BPW members exchange ideas, information, and support to help keep all members achieving their career potential. We offer a tight-knit, engaged community, as well as leadership opportunities, resources, and career

    focused programs.

    Email youngbpw@nfbpwc.org to get involved as a Young BPW or Student today!

    Keep in the loop of Young BPW activities and join in on them by either following us on:

    @YoungBPWUSA

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/YoungBPWUSA

  • NFBPWC Young BPW

    1 Nov 2024 12:25 PM | Kemi Oyebade (Administrator)

    By: Bryn Norrie
    Young BPW Chair, NFBPWC 2024-2026

    If you have any questions or ideas about YBPW you’d like to share, please let me know! Email us at youngbpw@nfbpwc.org

    What is Young BPW? 

    If you're between the ages of 18-35 and are looking to collaborate on BPW local andinternational initiatives – including career, leadership, and women's rights -- then Young BPW is for you!

    Young BPW members exchange ideas, information, and support to help keep all members achieving their career potential. We offer a tight-knit, engaged community, as well as leadership opportunities, resources, and career

    focused programs.

    Email youngbpw@nfbpwc.org to get involved as a Young BPW or Student today!

    Keep in the loop of Young BPW activities and join in on them by either following us on:

    @YoungBPWUSA

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/YoungBPWUSA

  • NFBPWC Young BPW

    1 Oct 2024 12:20 PM | Kemi Oyebade (Administrator)

    By: Bryn Norrie
    Young BPW Chair, NFBPWC 2024-2026

    As we move into the month of October, I would like to invite you to share BPW with one young woman in your life! This month our focus on YBPW is to continue connecting with our current YBPW members as well as extending our sisterhood to more women.

    Young BPW Virtual Happy Hour

    Join us for a fun evening of connecting with your YBPW sisters on October 1st.

    We are looking forward to seeing everyone! Be sure to bring your favorite drink along with you. Register at: https://nfbpwc.wildapricot.org/event-5884748

    Meet the YBPW Night

    I am also excited to announce that YBPW will be hosting its first “Meet the YBPW Night” on October 22 at 8:30 pm ET. Please stay tuned to your inboxes for more information. In the meantime, if you have any questions or ideas about YBPW you’d like to share, please let me know! Email us at youngbpw@nfbpwc.org

    What is Young BPW? 

    If you're between the ages of 18-35 and are looking to collaborate on BPW local andinternational initiatives – including career, leadership, and women's rights -- then Young BPW is for you!

    Young BPW members exchange ideas, information, and support to help keep all members achieving their career potential. We offer a tight-knit, engaged community, as well as leadership opportunities, resources, and career

    focused programs.

    Email youngbpw@nfbpwc.org to get involved as a Young BPW or Student today!

    Keep in the loop of Young BPW activities and join in on them by either following us on:

    @YoungBPWUSA

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/YoungBPWUSA

  • NFBPWC Young BPW

    2 Sep 2024 12:45 PM | Kemi Oyebade (Administrator)

    By: Bryn Norrie
    Young BPW Chair, NFBPWC 2024-2026

    Hello BPW!  

    Young BPW is busy this month putting together  our programming for the next year. We are hoping to focus on mentoring and  business skills programs, as well as fun activities like  virtual happy hours.

    College semesters are starting soon! If you know any  young women entering university who you think would benefit from BPW, please have them reach out to me. We can work  together to get them the support they need as they start their college experience. Finally, over the next few weeks I plan to reach out to state presidents and see what potential areas there are for collaboration between the amazing work being done in your states and what we are trying to do with YBPW  nationally. 

    I am very excited and honored to get to work with such  amazing women and can’t wait to see what we’re able  to accomplish over the next two years!  

    As always, please feel free to reach out to me whenever  you need to. Here’s to a great September!

    Share With Us!

    Are you a YBPW with something exciting to share? Are you working on a cool project or get a promotion? Maybe you are studying abroad! Send me your great news so we can all celebrate your success.

    What is Young BPW?

    If you're between the ages of 18 - 35 and are looking to collaborate on BPW initiatives, career, leadership, and women's rights -- then Young BPW is for you!

    When you join NFBPWC at the local, chapter, or virtual club level, you automatically

    become a member of Young BPW. We participate in formal and informal activities that allow us to network with members in our local communities as well as all over the world to exchange ideas and information. We even host an international conference for Young BPW every 3 years!

    Email youngbpw@nfbpwc.org to get involved as a Young BPW or Student today!

    Keep in the loop of Young BPW activities and join in on them by either following us on:

    @YoungBPWUSA

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/YoungBPWUSA

  • NFBPWC Young BPW

    1 Aug 2024 12:30 PM | Kemi Oyebade (Administrator)

    By: Bryn Norrie
    Young BPW Chair, NFBPWC 2024-2026

    About Bryn Norrie

    As incoming Young BPW for the 2024-2026 Executive Committee term, I have been a member of BPW since 2021, when I joined as an Executive Committee intern while in college. BPW has been an integral part of my college and young professional life. BPW equipped me with skills I use every day to navigate through the world and learn how to be a professional.  

    The amazing network of women in BPW have continued to be there for me through every stage of my life in the last 3 years. I know that I can always lean on my BPW sisters for advice and cheerleading when I need it. I hope to be able to share this wonderful community with more young women and grow BPW’s reach.

    I have plans to continue outreach to student groups and ensure the depth of knowledge and experience we have in this organization is saved and communicated to a new generation of young women professionals and leaders.  

    I currently live in Arlington, VA and work for an international development NGO called 

    Counterpart International. I work on pro-democracy, media freedom, and women’s empowerment projects mainly funded by USAID.  I have gotten the chance to travel around the world with this job and appreciate the importance of connections, friendship, and support (something always provided to me by BPW).  

    I graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2023 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and a Certificate in Peace and Conflict Studies. In my free time I like to hike, bake, and spend time with my friends and family.  

    I am looking forward to serving as the YBPW on the Executive Committee for the next two years.  

    I’d love to connect on LinkedIn 

    (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorisbrynnorrie/), please feel free to reach out whenever. 

    Share With Us!

    Are you a YBPW with something exciting to share? Are you working on a cool project or get a promotion? Maybe you are studying abroad! Send me your great news so we can all celebrate your success.

    What is Young BPW?

    If you're between the ages of 18 - 35 and are looking to collaborate on BPW initiatives, career, leadership, and women's rights -- then Young BPW is for you!

    When you join NFBPWC at the local, chapter, or virtual club level, you automatically

    become a member of Young BPW. We participate in formal and informal activities that allow us to network with members in our local communities as well as all over the world to exchange ideas and information. We even host an international conference for Young BPW every 3 years!

    Email youngbpw@nfbpwc.org to get involved as a Young BPW or Student today!

    Keep in the loop of Young BPW activities and join in on them by either following us on:

    @YoungBPWUSA

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/YoungBPWUSA

  • NFBPWC Young BPW

    1 Jul 2024 12:35 PM | Kemi Oyebade (Administrator)

    By: Emily VanVleck
    Young BPW Chair, NFBPWC 2022-2024

    Logo Description automatically generated

    BPW members are invited to join the next NFBPWC Young BPW Meeting

    If you're between the ages of 18-35 and are looking to collaborate on BPW local and international initiatives -- including career, leadership and women's rights -- then Young BPW is for you!

    Join us on the second Tuesday of each month to exchange ideas, information, and support each other.

    Time Zones: 4PM PST, 5PM MST, 6PM CST, 7PM EST

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

    Who: All interested members are welcome.

    Share With Us!

    Are you a YBPW with something exciting to share? Are you working on a cool project or get a promotion? Maybe you are studying abroad! Send me your great news so we can all celebrate your success.

    What is Young BPW?

    If you're between the ages of 18 - 35 and are looking to collaborate on BPW initiatives, career, leadership, and women's rights -- then Young BPW is for you!

    When you join NFBPWC at the local, chapter, or virtual club level, you automatically

    become a member of Young BPW. We participate in formal and informal activities that allow us to network with members in our local communities as well as all over the world to exchange ideas and information. We even host an international conference for Young BPW every 3 years!

    Email youngbpw@nfbpwc.org to get involved as a Young BPW or Student today!

    Keep in the loop of Young BPW activities and join in on them by either following us on:

    @YoungBPWUSA

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/YoungBPWUSA

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