Understanding the United Nations means understanding how we, as women leaders, can be part of shaping a better world.

Greetings BPW Sisters.

I am very excited that we have our 1st Newsletter of this triennium going out to all of you. It’s been a busy few months in North America and the Caribbean Region and it has been great to speak with you during that time. You are all an inspiration with the work you are doing in your clubs and countries.

The engagement we have had in our region is fantastic – we had 27 people step up to be part of the BPW International Standing Committees. I look forward to hearing of the work they are doing during this triennium.

We had a good number of people travelling to New York City for the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and the BPW International Leader’s Summit. Some are Delegates for BPW International, others are Delegates for BPW Canada, and some are Delegates of other NGO’s. It is a wonderful experience and I hope they will take back what they have learned to their clubs to encourage participation next year.

Our Strategic Plan was shared with the Presidents and the work on our goals of Membership, Advocacy and Leadership Development is in full swing. Our last NAC President’s Meeting included a discussion about Membership and there were a lot of wonderful ideas that were shared. BPW is the best kept secret, and it’s up to all of us to share the benefits of what BPW can bring to them.

I look forward to continued great work happening within our Region and I am committed to see the BPW International theme fulfilled – “Inspire, Innovate, Empower, Transform – Together We Shape a Sustainable Future.”

Karin Gorgerat
BPW International Regional Coordinator
North America and Caribbean

To read more Tributes and Accolades about Sylvia G. Perry, please read the 10-page AnyFlip Document at: https://online.flipbuilder.com/gfore/gpwk/

As a member of NFBPWC:You can attend CSW70 whether in person or virtually. You can develop and present a program at CSW70.

Each March, thousands of advocates, diplomats, and changemakers gather at the United Nations—both in New York City and online—for one of the most powerful events in the world focused on gender equality: the Commission on the Status of Women, or CSW.

If you’ve never heard of CSW or only associate the United Nations with one event per year, you’re not alone.

Many of our members equate the UN’s work solely with CSW. While CSW is a key event for women worldwide, it represents one part of a much broader system of global diplomacy and sustainable development—one that includes entities like ECOSOC, UNESCO, and regional partnerships such as the Organization of American States (OAS).

What Is CSW?

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) was established in 1946 as a functional commission of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It remains the only global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Each year, CSW convenes to:

• Evaluate progress on gender equality and women’s rights
• Identify challenges and emerging issues
• Develop global policy recommendations
• Foster connections between governments, NGOs, and civil society

And while the UN's official meetings are crucial to shaping high-level policy, much of CSW’s energy and impact comes from its interactive events and community engagement.

Three Types of CSW Events

If you’re attending or participating for the first time, it’s helpful to understand the three main categories of events at CSW:

1.  Official UN Events

These are hosted by the UN and Member States and include:

• Opening and Closing Ceremonies
• Ministerial Roundtables
• General Discussions
• Agreed Conclusions negotiations

These sessions focus on policymaking and diplomacy and are usually limited to government delegations and accredited observers.

2.  Side Events

These are sponsored by UN Member States or UN agencies and are centered on themes aligned with CSW’s annual focus. Side events may:

• Highlight national or regional achievements
• Showcase new reports or research
• Discuss innovative strategies

Some are open to the public (especially virtually), while others require invitations.

3.  Parallel Events (NGO Forum)

This is where NFBPWC members can shine. Parallel events are hosted by NGOs and civil society organizations and are open to global audiences. Topics are diverse and grassroots-oriented, including:

• Women in leadership
• Gender and climate change
• Access to education and healthcare
• Stories of impact from the field

BPW International, through which NFBPWC is connected, holds General Consultative Status with ECOSOC, giving us the opportunity to host, present, and participate.

Why Should You Participate?

Attending CSW—whether in person or virtually—can be transformative. It’s a chance to:

• Learn from global experts and peers
• Share your story or your organization’s work
• Get inspired to lead change locally
• Contribute to international conversations on women’s rights

For NFBPWC members, this is more than just an event. It’s a platform to connect global policy to local action, and to demonstrate the power of women working together across borders.

Looking Ahead to CSW70

The 70th Session of CSW (CSW70) is set for March 9 – 20, 2026, and we are already preparing. This year, our committee’s objectives are:

1. Educate members about CSW—how it works, how it connects to the larger UN framework, and what role we play.
2. Encourage member engagement—through virtual attendance, delegation involvement, and proposing parallel events.

Each monthly article and future meetings planned will help you build knowledge and confidence—so when CSW70 arrives, you’ll know how to step forward and participate with purpose.

Want to Learn More?

Explore these two resources to dive deeper into CSW: 

CSW Official Page

NGO CSW/NY – Parallel Events & Resources

Brief History of Commission on Status of Women

To participate with the CSW Committee and learn more – contact csw@nfbpwc.org or President Barbara Bozeman via president@nfbpwc.org

As we observe Military Appreciation Month, we proudly recognize the contributions of women in the armed forces — women who embody the strength, resilience, and leadership that the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) champions every day.

From breaking barriers in uniform to advocating for equality after service, military women exemplify the spirit of CSW’s mission: empowerment, equity, and global impact.

This May let’s not only thank them for their service — let’s uplift their voices in the fight for gender justice.

Reflections on CSW69#

My reaction to the two weeks of CSW69 was bittersweet: such positive energy, many  excellent NGO parallel events and side events by Member States, hopefulness, friendships. but also, a franticness, a quickness to anger, a realization that we had not made progress in furthering the rights of women and girls, but at least countries reached a kind of consensus with countries allowed to append disagreements. [The US added disagreements to the original Beijing Platform of Action.] After 30 years reproductive rights, which are so essential to women’s health and lives, are still not permitted in Political Declaration 69. There is an increasing backlash against women and girls with much violence.

IFBPW had many excellent parallel events. The What’s App listserv was exhausting with chat! I participated in Carol Hanlon’s excellent UN CSW69 Forum which featured many IFBPW speakers with diverse backgrounds and accomplishments. [Pictured Right: Susan in the green sweater] The other two parallel events I helped organize with Beth Deighton and moderated were “Women & Armed Conflict” with speakers from Iran, Ukraine, Syria, and Palestine and the second event “Post-Beijing Widows Face Even Greater Challenges for Rights” with widows from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ukraine, UK, Nigeria, and a report from China. I was in tears at both of these events.

The backlash against women has been increasing for several years. You may read about this at the UN Women website. At the Millennium Hilton across the Street from the UN Church Center, CFam, a conservative women’s NGO, was holding forth with the audience not allowed to ask questions. They supported eliminating the Department of Education and public schools with children being home schooled and abolishing DEI which means banning teaching the struggles of the Women’s and Black movements.

At the last UN CSW69 briefing for NGOs on March 21, the Women’s Major Group spoke of the pushback for women in the Political Declaration 69 that had reproductive rights deleted at the last moment and hoped progress might be made at the High Level Political Forum in July. The session ended with powerful statements from two women in the audience: “We need women’s rights from conception” and from Queen Mother, “We can’t wait any longer.”

Susan O’Malley
United Nations Representative

Shared with the permission of BPW UK’s President, Jo Kinsey:

Summary of the InfoUAction for Women Business Consulting Center Project

Over the past year, we have been actively developing the InfoUAction for Women Business Consulting Center, which has become a key platform for entrepreneurship development and management training. As part of this large-scale project, we designed three powerful training programs:

For startups – supporting new business ideas, forming a strategy for launch and growth.

For existing businesses – scaling up, entering new markets, and attracting investments.

For self-employed individuals – enhancing personal efficiency and resilience in times of change.

800+ participants gained practical knowledge and skills through specialized training groups.

The final event, held last Friday, marked the culmination of the project – we presented the results, recognized winners, and highlighted the best business cases.

In addition to the official part, a high-level expert panel discussion took place, where national experts worked on a resolution for submission to relevant ministries. The document includes concrete recommendations on:

Adult education and management programs.

Creating a favorable business environment.

Enhancing economic resilience of communities in crisis situations.

We are currently preparing a presentation of the project results in English, as well as editing videos and selecting photo materials, which we will share with you soon.

A huge thank you to all participants, partners, experts, and the team for this significant step in strengthening Ukraine’s economic resilience!

#InfoUAction4Women #BusinessConsulting #EconomicResilience #WomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship

ear BPW members in United States,

The President of BPW USA Barbara Bozeman asked me to write an article about BPW Europe to your Newsletter. I am greatly honored to address the members of the USA.

My name is Anu Viks, I am the Regional Coordinator of Europe 2021-2024 and 2024-2027. I come from a small by size, but big by courage country Estonia. I am the Past President of BPW Estonia, the member of BPW since 2002. My field of business is the international road transport industry. Working in the male dominated area has motivated me to inspire women to take action for their own careers, lives and economic independence.

My motto is - everything is possible, just believe in yourself. 

Europe is the biggest region in IFBPW with 17500 members in 32 countries. The biggest Federation is BPW Italy with 10500 members. BPW Europe is led by the Executive Council consisting of 5 members – the Regional Coordinator/Chair of the EC Anu Viks (BPW Estonia), Secretary Carmen Taheny (BPW Ireland), Treasurer Mariane Pontone (BPW Germany), Communication Officer Valentina Ceban (BPW Moldova/BPW Switzerland), Young BPW Representative Anna Zimmerman (BPW Germany).

The most important event of BPW Europe this year is the Regional Conference in Malta 23-25 May 2025. The host of the Regional Conference is BPW Valletta Club in Malta. You are invited to join the European Region at the Conference in Malta https://bpwmalta.com/bpw- european-conference-2025/. The registration is opened. Malta is a lovely island in the Mediterranean Sea with the rich history.

The position of Communication Officer of BPW Europe was created in 2021 as it is essential to the European Region as we have 17500 members in 32 different countries. Effective communication is the key priority to keep members informed about the work of the European Region, to inform about upcoming events, webinars, advocating, networking and sharing best practices. This was the purpose of modernizing the BPW Europe website, social media channels, and create the BPW Europe LinkedIn account. Now BPW Europe communication reaches thousands of members every week.

My mission as the Regional Coordinator is to bring the Presidents of European Region together and share information and best practices the regular online Presidents meeting. During the regular online meetings Presidents can share their experiences, communicate their success stories and receive good knowledge from the different guest speakers. The first online meeting took place at the end of 2020. These regular meetings have made European Presidents a strong, friendly and well working group. The feeling of sisterhood was especially important during Covid times to keep the Federations and Clubs operating and active. Giving each other advice and support helped many Clubs to get through the challenging Covid time and keep up the numbers of membership.

BPW Europe had four active Working Groups in 2021, my intention was to carry on the work of the Groups and create new ones. With the help of two seasoned

members (Moyra McMahon BPW Ireland President and Myriam Heidelberger BPW Switzerland co- President) the revision on the Groups was made and some groups received new Chairs, and the work continued - Learning for Leadership (Conny Montague, BPW Germany); Women on Boards (Eufemia Ippolito, BPW Italy); Charter on the Girls Rights (Pinella Bombaci, BPW Italy). Equal Pay Day (Karine Babule, BPW France). Two new Working Groups were established – Green and Sustainable Future (Siiri Puttonen, BPW Estonia) and WEPs (Radmila Jirkovska, BPW Prague Czech Republic). All Working Groups are now well established and active, organizing webinars, seminars, training sessions, meetings.

There are 4 Networks inside Europe – DACH (German speaking members from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Lichtenstein), Adrion Net (Clubs around Adriatic Sea), Danube Net (Clubs around Danube River) and newly created in May 2024 Nordic Network (countries in Scandinavia – Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland and Baltic Sea region – Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland).

BPW Europe has been unitedly working to support our BPW Club in Chernihiv Ukraine and refugees from Ukraine who have arrived to all countries in Europe. BPW Poland members have been tirelessly working to receive and help the refugees who arrived after the start of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, the strain has been enormous. Many Federations and Clubs have received funds from BPW International Support Ukraine Fund for projects – Poland, Ireland, Romania, Madrid Spain to support refugees and BPW United Kingdom to support Ukrainian women inside Ukraine. BPW UK project was focused on helping BPW Chernihiv Club in Ukraine. From the funds of the Support Ukraine Fund BPW UK President Jo Kinsey together with Amelie Leclercq (BPW Sofia Bulgaria) bought a van for Chernihiv Club to help people in need to get to the medical facilities and to deliver groceries for those who are not able to look after themselves. City of Chernihiv was heavily bombed in the beginning of 2022, buildings and road network were destroyed. Many Chernihiv Club members lost their homes. The van was packed with goods needed in Chernihiv (blankets, pillows, medicine) and delivered in April 2024 to the members of Chernihiv Club Julia Zayka and Viktoria Filatova.

BPW Europe is registered in Brussels Belgium. BPW Europe is registered in the hub of Brussels based women organizations – Amazone building on Rue du Meridien 10, 1210 Brussels.

BPW Europe has representation in European Women`s Lobby (EWL). Our Representatives in EWL is Miette Dechelle (BPW Belgium) and alternate Representative is Pille Tsopp Pagan (BPW Estonia). BPW Europe’s work and actions on women empowerment and advocacy are reflected to EWL. Through EWL BPW Europe is participating in European wide work and campaigns for ending violence against women. In 2024 BPW Europe presented the Manifesto of BPW Europe to EWL consisting of 5 main points – empowerment, gender equality, proportional representation in equal pay for equal work, women on Boards and decision-making, and leadership in Europe.

BPW International and BPW Europe have the Representative in the Council of Europe. The Representative takes part in the online and F2F meetings and reports the activities of BPW to the Council of Europe and the work of the Council of Europe to BPW. The Representative is Pinella Bombaci (BPW Italy).

BPW Europe has the representation in the European Institute for Gender Equality. EIGE is the body of the European Union established by Regulation No. 1922/2006 of the European Parliament and the Council of December 20, 2006, which began work in 2007. Equality between men and women is one of the basic principles of the European Union. EIGE headquarters is in Vilnius Lithuania. BPW Europe is represented by the members of BPW Vilnius Chamber Club Lithuania, the current Representative is the President of the Club Irma Spudiene.

The work of BPW Europe and my work as the Regional Coordinator can be best described in 3 important words – empowerment, equality and inclusion. Our mission is to ensure Equal Pay for equal work between Women and Men; obtain work-life balance for Women and Men supported by incentives, infrastructures, policies and laws; realize women’s equality in political decision-making and on Boards; empower women in their professional and leadership potential; guarantee all women equal economic independence free from discrimination and harassment against women at work; allocate and implement gender responsive budgets to realize women’s rights and equality at all levels; and represent Women in economic, civil and political life.

Just few weeks ago at the Leaders’ Summit of BPW International in New York I heard a quote from Past International President Elisabeth Benham. She was quoting Susan Jones, Past Vice President of IFBPW from Australia. I took a liking to this quota immediately.

“BPW allows ordinary women to do extraordinary things!”

With best wishes,

Anu Viks
BPW Europe Regional
Coordinator

Inspire, Innovate, Empower, Transform: Together We Shape a Sustainable Future

I have just returned from New York City where I was so fortunate to be able to attend the  BPW International Leader’s Summit and the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69). It was wonderful to see so many BPW Sisters attending from around the world and hear of the work they are doing in their countries. There were members from

43 countries attending the Leader’s Summit.

There were over 100 BPW members holding UN Passes from not only BPW International but other NGO’s for CSW. Everyone was working so hard to attend the meetings, as well as a number of BPW members doing presentations during Parallel Events (outside the UN)and SideEvents (usually inside the UN or in a country’s mission).

It was not all work, however – special thanks to NFBPWC member Emily VanVleck for organizing a Theatre night for many attendees to see the terrific Broadway show “Six.” It was a fantastic show, and I know everyone enjoyed an evening of sister-hood are fun during a busy week.

I will be heading to Malta in May to attend the European Conference. I look forward to bringing back many learnings that I can share with our region.

The NAC Conference will be held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in September 2026 – date to be confirmed when a venue has been selected. Make sure to put this in your calendars – we are planning a great line-up of speakers, a Leader’s Summit, a Youth Symposium and a trip to Niagara Falls, not to mention the chance to meet members that will attend from other Regions. I hope to see many of you there.

Warm wishes,

Karin Gorgerat BPW International
Regional Coordinator North America
and Caribbean

Beginning May 1st, we will begin the CSW program series for 2025/2026.

NFBPWC & CSW: Expanding Our Impact Over the next 10 months, NFBPWC is embarking on an exciting initiative to educate and empower our members to engage with the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. This is an incredible opportunity for you to experience strengthening global advocacy efforts and making a lasting impact on gender equality.

Why Get Involved?  NFBPWC and BPW International share a powerful voice, and through these collaborations, we can amplify that voice on the global stage. By participating in CSW, members will:

• Gain knowledge about international advocacy and UN processes

• Connect with like-minded professionals and organizations

• Contribute to shaping policies that impact women worldwide

• Showcase NFBPWC and BPW International work and leadership at a global level

Our Goal: To present three programs either by or in collaboration with collaboration with NFBPWC members at CSW70 in March of 2026.

Through education, mentorship, and strategic engagement, we will guide members in preparing impactful programs that align with CSW’s themes and objectives. \

How to Get Involved: Build and prepare a program to present, learn about and share information about the CSW process. Whether you are new to CSW or BPW, there is plenty you can do to learn about and participate in one of the greatest global ventures at your fingertips.

Looking forward to hearing from you.president@nfbpwc.org

What We Are Up Against: The UN Mission Statement to UN Women at the Opening Session of the UN Women Executive Board by Jonathan Shrier, Acting Representative to the UN Economic and Social Council, 10 February 2025

The letter was forwarded to the NGO US Caucus, UN and forwarded to their list serve.

AS DELIVERED

Thank you, Madam President, and thank you, Madam Executive Director Madam President, pursuant to President Trump’s Executive Order, the United States is reviewing the international organizations and other bodies of which we are a member to assess our relationship and determine which organizations align with U.S. interests. ….

Madam President, the US strongly supports protecting women and girls, defending their human rights, and promoting their empowerment. ….

On February 5, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order keeping men out of women’s sports to improve the safety of all females participating in athletic competition. And on January 20, 2025 President Trump issued an Executive Order defending women from gender ideology and restoring biological truth. Indeed, as noted in the EO, “Efforts to eradicate the biological reality of sex fundamentally attack women by depriving them of their dignity, safety, and well-being.” The US will defend women’s rights and protect freedom of conscience by using clear and accurate language and policies that recognize women are biologically female, and men biologically male.

In this regard, Madam Executive Director, as we collectively look ahead to the next Strategic Plan, we urge UN Women to focus on efforts to ensure the equality of women and girls, and insist upon avoiding a focus on radical causes such as DEI and gender ideology, neither of which will improve the functioning of UN Women and both of which are demeaning, unfair, and dangerous to women and girls.

It is important to acknowledge the biological reality of sex to support the needs and perspectives of women and girls.

Additionally, DEI and related initiatives such as those rooted in “critical race theory” are immoral and discriminatory and have no place in charting the future of this organization.

Madam President, the US is committed to helping UN organizations realize their full potential. To do so, these organizations must not - as in the past- champion divisive and dangerous cultural causes over the concerns of member states.

N.B [O'Malley] “Biological truth”: Close to 2% of births are intersex; the number is increasing. In the past doctors chose the sex of the child; today parents increasingly wait until puberty for the decision to be made. See research by Anne Fausto-Sterling.

[UPDATE: There has been a successful blocking of “Trump’s Unlawful and Unconstitutional DEI Orders.” Source: AAUP – American Association of UniversityProfessors Updates.]

Susan O’Malley

United Nations Representative

Remarkable Woman – Ella Baker

Ella Baker was known as the "godmother of SNCC," the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC)," formed in 1960. The granddaughter of a slave, whom she knew when she was a little girl, Ms. Baker worked with Martin Luther King, but encouraged the  young  activists  to independentlyorganize (SNCC) to register Black people to vote in the South. I became her friend with Ellen Cantarow. We spent 9 hours interviewing Ms. Baker for a chapter in Moving the Mountain. I was Director of Research for the film entitled Fundi:  The  Story  of  Ella Baker, Icarus Films, 1981. She is known for saying "strong people don't need strong leaders."

You can learn more about Ella Baker at: https://snccdigital.org/people/ella-baker/

Inspire, Innovate, Empower, Transform: Together We Shape a Sustainable Future

Happy New Year everyone – I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and had a chance to spend some time with friends and family.

Things have been very busy for the BPW International Board since the Congress in St Kitts ended in late November. Work is still being done to transition everything to the new Executive and get the new President’s Office set up and update the website. Applications went out to apply to be on one of BPW International’s Standing Committees, which was a good chance for members to be involved with specific areas that interest them and contribute to BPW International’s  work  worldwide.Over 200 applications were received from all the Regions, so those that are successful will be advised soon.

The UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 69) will be taking place March 10 – 21, 2025 in New York City. BPW International has 20 Delegates, and some members have Delegate status with other NGO’s so there will be a lot of BPW Members in New York at that time.

BPW International will hold a Leader’s Summit on March 7 & 8, 2025. The Leader’s Summit will be led by Past International President Liz Benham and Past

Regional Coordinator NAC Dawne Williams, and it promises to provide great value to all that attend.

North America and Caribbean Region (NAC) will host the Regional Meeting in September 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The location was voted on by the NAC Delegates at the last Regional Conference in January 2023 in St Kitts. There won’t be another opportunity to attend a BPW International event in the North America and Caribbean Region for many years, so it’s a great chance to meet BPW Sisters from around the world.

The NAC Strategic Plan was shared recently with the NAC Presidents and Regional Committee. I hope you will take a few minutes to review and see how the International Theme connects to the NAC Plan. I know with all of us working together in NAC, we can make great things happen.

Respectfully submitted,

Karin Gorgerat BPW International

Regional Coordinator North America

and Caribbean

Click on the image above to open the PDF Slide Show, or go to:

https://tinyurl.com/BPWInternationalStrategicPlan