By: Sher Singh
NFBPWC’s JDEI Chair (2022-2026), dei@nfbpwc.org

A little bit of the BPW International Congress from a JDEI perspective.

Remember November is Native Heritage month. Let us recognize the culture, traditions, achievements, and history!

Picture bright colors, whispers of unfamiliar languages, everyone proudly carrying their gift  BPWI briefcase. Registration tables buzzing, friends greeting each other, zoom friends are meeting for the first time. Some gesturing to communicate with joy of meeting in one place.

That was the mood as we were all getting ready to do important work for our BPW. It was a diversity aficionado’s dream space! I could not get to all the BPW global sisters in enough time. There were 72 languages spoken; I watched as these impressive women switch from one language to another. It was a sight to be seen, knowing that they were preparing to participate in choosing new leaders for the next triannual.

This means total focus on their English, interpreters to assist, and their decision making in place. During the coffee breaks or in the afternoon, BPW sisters had ethnic clothing, jewelry, purses, books, and other items. Many were mulling around exploring how they could wear some of these exotic garments and more.

The food served was a mélange of tropical Caribbean flavors and some flavors we knew. Guests were hovering over the desserts and fruit drinks. All our senses were awakened, and we were experiencing cultures far and wide. The hot humid weather was cooperating nicely for us to be fully aware of where we were.

Now why am I describing all this? I want to bring your focus fellow NFBPWC sisters, there is an enormous world of us out there wanting to connect with us. Waiting to share their culture and experiences. Even though we were all in one place to look at Constitutional Amendments, Resolutions, Procedures, voting etc., we were feeling the oneness – the focus of almost 100 years of women doing this work. None of it would be possible if not for collaboration and unity.

The diversity in the space we were in was screaming at us that we have much to learn from each other. So, if possible, save, mark your calendars, plan for the next biannual meeting of NFBPWC! We can start soon, get excited and bring our energy to grow our diversity!

In the meantime, consider joining the JDEI committee, please reach out to me. My email is dei@nfbpwc.org – let us organize and maybe invite some of those global women to share their experiences with us!

See you soon!

-Sher