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

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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

By: Eva Richter
NGO Committee on Migration and NY Member

“Get the Criminals Out of Here!” Migrants, Refugees and Deportation

A majority of Americans have applauded President Trump’s policy to seal our southern border and deport the vast majority of migrants and refugees in our midst who are undocumented. Some of these migrants have been living here with various protections for as much as 30 years and have children and grandchildren born here, whom President Trump now wishes to strip of their birthright as US citizens.

The rationale for these actions has been that most of these undocumented migrants are criminals and have immeasurably harmed this country.

Of course we do not want murderers, drug lords, arms dealers, violent people and terrorists in our country. No law-abiding citizen wants criminals in their midst, but at issue is the very definition of the term "criminal." If one has come over the border without official authorization, even in order to claim refugee status (an international human right), according to our present government that is a criminal act, and the person is subject to arrest and deportation. Overstaying a legal visa, as some legally authorized students and workers may have done, some for purely bureaucratic reasons like being unable to schedule a timely hearing, may be considered a criminal act. And will we label as criminals someone who has had to pay a fine for a blown car taillight? Or for an expired car

registration? Or any of a host of minor infractions? Under present definitions, such people, regardless of their years of positive contributions to our institutions, our economy, our services and the richness of our cultural lives may be labeled criminals and deported, our armed forces enforcing the political decrees.

Many of the members of the NFBPWC are teachers and professors, health providers and members of religious organizations. Many are entrepreneurs, who have hired and relied on the work of migrants and refugees in their businesses and enterprises and now find them threatened with deportation. Many of us have worked hard with various agencies of the United Nations to craft and adopt (2018) the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration and the Global Compact for Refugees. These compacts provide a rational framework to improve the worldwide response to the needs of migrants and refugees while protecting the integrity of national boundaries and institutions.

Countering the principles established in these documents,  however,  in  the  United  States, the Trump Administration is following through on the President's promise to pursue policies permitting law enforcement agencies like ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) to invade public spaces like schools, churches and hospitals to arrest and deport "criminals" within the borders of the United States.

Such indiscriminate action will disrupt our justice system, our schools, our lives, and our sense of community. Families are becoming afraid to send their children to school, fearing they will be taken away or that parents coming to pick up their children may be arrested and deported, separated from their families without even a hearing. Women and children are especially vulnerable to fears like these. Often they are the survivors of conflict, threats, intimidations and violence in every sphere of their lives, who have made their way through dreadful circumstances to what they think will be safety in this country. Further dislocations and disruption put them in more danger than ever of becoming victims of trafficking, which has increased by 10 million in the last five years (See ILO, IOM, Walk Free).

Officials in New York City, Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago and others have been instructing public employees to block ICE raids in the public schools, and the City University of New York (CUNY) and many public schools have been issuing directives to teachers and others urging them to resist classroom invasion by ICE. (Internal Memos Instruct New YorkCity Government Employees to Block ICE Raids | THECITY — NYC News)

But we are not clear about what is legal and what is not, how we can resist and what the consequences might be. Can we demand a warrant? What sort of warrant must ICE have to be able to effect arrests and deportation?

Effective resistance depends on knowledge and information, and several cities and institutions have published detailed information about migrants’ rights.

The City University of New York (CUNY) has published the following material: Can ICE now go into churches, schools and hospitals? What we can VERIFY |9news.com(Author: Megan Loe: 2:11 PM MST January 24, 2025).

Published in several different languages, this highly informative article talks about the requirement of arrest warrants for ICE to be able to carry out their missions, what kinds of warrants they must present, how one may demand that they be shown, what constitutes public as opposed to private space, etc.

Various cities have informative websites in several languages about what is and what is not legal, together with lists of attorneys who may be contacted in case of emergency.

See the following:

• Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs(NYC)

• Orientation for New Asylees and Refugees -Office of Immigrant Affairs(LA)

• Denver Office Of Immigrant Affairs - SearchNews(Denver)

• City of Chicago: Office of Immigrant, Migrant,and Refugee Rights(Chicago)

• Immigration Resources | DC(Washington DC)

Hopefully, concerted opposition will either slow down or derail attempts at mass deportation and destruction.

As an organization tasked with the advancement of women’s economic, political, social and employment conditions globally, we must take whatever action we can, hope for the best and beprepared for the worst.

Eva Richter NGO Committee on Migration and NY Member

Meeting the BPW International Executives Your Vice Presidents

In the January issue, you were introduced to our newly elected BPW International President Diana Barragan and our Regional Coordinator for North America and the Caribbean, Karin Gorgerat.

This month, it is our pleasure to introduce to you our BPW International Vice Presidents (First Vice President United Nations and Vice President Membership). Their dedication, vision, and contributions exemplify the very best of what our organization represents.

Each has been asked to share something of their vision and aspirations for BPW’s future. We look forward to their insights highlighting the important work we do globally but also help remind us of the power we have as a collective to create meaningful change.

Please join in celebrating and supporting these leaders (both of whom are also members of NFBPWC) as they continue to elevate our mission on the international level.

First Vice President United Nations Neelima Basne

The United Nations was formed in 1945 and just a year later, IFBPW was among the first NGOs to obtain consultative status. Since then, BPW has played a huge role in accelerating the process toward gender equality.

This is why we must all work together, so that we don’t allow the results of our efforts to go backward instead of forward. Many countries are faced with this very real circumstance today, a concern that I’m sure you share with me.

As your new 1st Vice President United Nations, I am ready to work for BPW – but I need the support and guidance of all our members, to move our mission further along in order that we may create a better world for future generations.

My objective is to work toward a #UNITEDBPW and I look forward to your collaboration in our common cause.

Dear BPW sisters of NFBPWC-USA

In the year 1919, in your land of USA, Dr. Lena Madison Phillips ignited the light of BPW with a dream to fight for equality, peace, justice and empowerment of women and girls – a dream that a decade later spread across the globe. However, despite 106 years in USA and 94 years internationally, we still have not achieved gender equality or peace in the world.

Architect Neelima Basnet from Nepal BPW member of UK, NFBPWC-USA, Malaysia

neelima.basnet@bpw-international.org

neeli_bas@hotmail.com

Vice President Membership Francesca Burack:

My VISION – UNITY Is Our Strength

It is a great honor and privilege for me to serve as your newly elected BPW International’s Vice President of Membership.

I am proud of my history of service in this organization including my many years as President of NFBPWC- NYC, my term as NFBPWC’s Vice President Membership, and my ongoing service as UN Representative for IFBPW, to name a few.

We are an organization rich in history, advocacy and influence. Let’s not forget that it all started here, in the

United States of America with our visionary leader Lena Madison Philips.

She was the one who realized that our connections to like-minded women in every part of the world enhances our lives and through collaboration we deliver impactful results to improve the lives of women and families.

As we move forward together, I envision a BPW International where the building of richness of diversity of thought is encouraged; an organization where each generation feels welcome to contribute to our growth, goals, and vision of a better world for our members and women around the world; and the expansion of benefits for members so that they continue to grow including upskilling and reskilling, helping our entrepreneurs build capacity and strengthening our networks.

I look forward to collaborating with you so we can live our triennium theme

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

When women come together, support, mentor, and empower each other we create miracles. Let’s create some miracles together during this triennium.

Francesca Burack Vice President Membership BPW International

francesca.burack@bpw-international.org

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

Looking Back at 2024, Moving Forward into 2025 with a Global  

Mindset 

As we close the chapter on 2024, it is natural to reflect on the challenges and accomplishments  that defined the year for women across the globe. From boardrooms to classrooms, from  startups to multinational organizations, and from community initiatives to the corridors of  power, women have continued to lead with resilience, creativity, and an unyielding drive to make an impact. 

One of the most remarkable aspects of this year has been the growing acknowledgment of the role women play  as not just contributors but as architects of global progress. Women have embraced their positions as founders,  executives, innovators, and thought leaders, while continuing to fulfill the universal responsibilities of home 

and family. This duality is both our challenge and our strength—it connects us across borders and reinforces  our shared humanity. 

As the International Liaison for NFBPWC, I am deeply inspired by how women in our network have  demonstrated a willingness to collaborate, to bridge cultural divides, and to embrace the soft diplomacy that the  world so desperately needs. Whether it’s through grassroots projects that uplift communities or multinational  partnerships that drive economic development, women have proven to be the bridge-builders of our time. 

As we look ahead to 2025, we must carry forward this momentum with a global mindset. It is essential to  embrace opportunities for collaboration, knowing that together, we can achieve far more than we can  individually. The world needs the unique perspectives, ideas, and solutions that women bring, and it is through  unity and solidarity that we can address the complex challenges of our era. 

In 2025, let us lean into our roles as leaders, mentors, and collaborators, with a commitment to creating  opportunities for growth and progress for ourselves and for the next generation of women. Let us also recognize  the importance of balancing ambition with empathy, leveraging our influence to make the world a more  inclusive, equitable, and compassionate place. 

To my fellow NFBPWC members and women across the globe: I wish you a happy, productive, and collaborative  2025. May it be a year where we continue to build bridges, expand our networks, and advance together with  purpose and passion.

By: Susan O’Malley
IFBPWC UN Representative (Editor)

His Excellency Ivan Simonovic, Ambassador of Croatia to the UN, Calls for an Optional Protocol

On November 25, 2024, during the UN High-level meeting to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Croatia called for examining the need for a new Optional Protocol to CEDAW.

His Excellency Ivan Šimonović, Ambassador of Croatia to the United Nations in New  York, opened his remarks by commenting on the need to evaluate the strength of the current framework on violence against women and girls. He offered an overview of progress, from the adoption of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) to the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, and CEDAW general recommendations on violence against women and girls.

“Now,” he said, “we need to examine the need for the optional protocol to CEDAW on Violence against Women, as called for by the past and current UN special rapporteurs on violence against women, in their joint statement.

The ambassador also called for upgrading and accelerating the Beijing Platform for Action and revitalizing the UN Commission on the Status of Women with a comprehensive mandate that works in partnership with civil society.

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.

By: Susan O’Malley
IFBPWC UN Representative

Information on CSW69 (10 March - 21 March 2025) at UN Headquarters, NY

1. CSW69 is the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and Adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

2. Representatives of Member States, UN entities   (UN Women is an UN entity), and ECOSO accredited Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOS) numbering in the thousands from all regions of the world will attend to work together to assess the progress and lack of progress achieved by the Beijing Platform of Action in the last 30 years. [The problem: although the Beijing Platform of Action is an excellent transformative document, it is 30 years old and is not always relevant to today and is not legally binding.] A document will be produced by the Member States with NGOs trying to influence the contents.

3. If you Google “UN Women/CSW69,” you can find the National Reports from most of the Member States. (The US report has not been posted yet.) Reports from all of the ECOSOC Accredited NGOs, including IFBPW, will be posted as soon as UN Women finishes editing them. Their website is an excellent source of information. Do consult it.

4. Across the street from the UN in the Church Center NGOs present Parallel Events on the CSW69 theme. If you are applying to present a Parallel Event, either in person or on Zoom, do it as soon as possible. Google NGO CSW69 Forum Parallel Events Applications to apply.

In-Person Events: Deadline is 25 November. Two to three or more NGOs need to collaborate together because there are not enough available rooms. The cost is $400/$500 depending on size of room.

Virtual Events: Deadline is 2 December. The cost is $100.

Do email me if you have questions: susanomalley4@gmail.com