By: Larisa B. Miller
NFBPWC International Relations Chair (2024-2026), international@nfbpwc.org

Reflections on the BPW International Triennial Congress

Attending the BPW International Triennial Congress in St. Kitts-Nevis was a vivid reminder of the power and importance of cross-border collaboration and connecting with our global BPW family. Through advocacy, business, knowledge-sharing, mentorship, and collaboration, the Congress highlighted how we can strengthen our collective impact as BPW sisters.

While the Congress wasn’t without its challenges—debates, disagreements, and discussions are inevitable in a truly global organization—these moments are essential to achieving consensus and driving progress. These gatherings, whether regional conferences, national congresses, or the triennial Congress, are invaluable. They offer the chance to listen, learn, express viewpoints, and expand our perspectives by engaging with members from around the world.

Global interaction at Congresses like this broadens our horizons, deepening our understanding of the needs, successes, and opportunities present in other cultures. It inspires fresh ideas and innovative solutions to challenges we face both individually and collectively. Perhaps most importantly, it fosters friendships and strengthens our global network, a cornerstone of BPW’s success.

I encourage every member to actively reach out to sisters from other clubs around the world. Create joint projects that address shared goals, explore twinning opportunities with other clubs, and leverage these relationships to amplify your advocacy and impact. Together, we are stronger, and through collaboration, we can achieve meaningful change.

As we move forward, I’m delighted to announce that our Global Oasis, a virtual meeting space for BPW sisters worldwide, will resume in January with a compelling topic for discussion. This initiative is a chance to continue these vital conversations and collaborations between Congresses. Stay tuned for more details, and let’s continue to embrace the spirit of global sisterhood that defines our BPW community!

MEET YOUR NEW INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVES

The BPW International Triennium Theme (2024-2027) is: Innovate, Inspire, Empower, Transform –

Together We can Shape a Sustainable Future NFBPWC-USA headed to St. Kitts with a plan.

President - Diana Barragan (BPW Peru)

1st VP (UN) - Neelima Basnet (BPW UK)

2nd VP (Membership) - Francesca Burack (BPW USA) Executive Secretary - Carolyn Savage (BPW New Zealand) Executive Finance Officer - Gudrun Jakobsdottir (BPW Iceland) Young BPW Representative - Izadora Lechacoski (BPW Brazil) Immediate Past President – Dr. Catherine Bosshart

Africa Regional Coordinator - Bertiller Massawe (BPW Tanzania) Asia Pacific Regional Coordinator - Herlin Chien (BPW Taiwan) Europe Regional Coordinator - Anu Viks (BPW Estonia)

Latin America Regional Coordinator - Olga Ahumada (BPW Argentina) North America & Caribbean Regional Coordinator - Karin Gorgerat (BPW Canada)

We spent months as a region, getting mentally prepared for the work that lay ahead. But there’s more to the Congress than elections and updates to our governance.

Here’s where we meet new friends, greet those friends we only know virtually and build relationships that extend beyond borders. USA showed up in style and with a plan.

Sunday, we paid homage to our suffragette sisters by donning our whites and our National scarf.

Monday was Rosie Day. We wore blue and donned our Rosie the Rivetter headbands.

Tuesday was Red and READY!

More to come on the website and Facebook!

Now is the time for us to embrace our new friends, our revitalized relationships and move the needle forward on this wonderful organization.