Jammie Wolfe - Speaker on March 18, 2025

My name is Jammie Wolfe, and I am a firefighter with the Englewood Fire Department. I have enjoyed serving on the line with Englewood for the past two years. Before joining EFD, I spent ten years at Nokomis Fire Department, where I advanced to the rank of battalion chief.

In addition to my role as a firefighter, I am also an instructor at the Englewood Fire Training Center, a position I've held for the last seven years. It is rewarding to watch students arrive on their first day, knowing that one day I may be responding to calls alongside them.

Throughout my 12-year career, I have dedicated myself to finding the path I want to pursue. I have taken multiple technical classes to become as valuable an asset as possible on calls. Some of the significant classes I’ve completed include heavy vehicle rescue, hazmat technician, and rope operations. Additionally, I participated in an intense 24-hour class called One Bad Tour, which has limited breaks. I also tried out for the Florida Smoke Divers course. Although I have not yet received the titles for these, I am determined to earn them through hard work and perseverance.

Outside of the fire service, I am the proud mother of a joyful and energetic three-year-old son. On my days off, I try to spend as much time as possible with him and my husband, going on as many adventures as we can.

Before my career in the fire service, I was in the Army National Guard, which helped ease my transition into this profession. From day one, I aimed to be part of something larger than myself, and this career has allowed me to serve a community I have seen grow over the years, alongside the best brothers and sisters in the fire service.

A quote from my older sister has always resonated with me throughout my journey: “Dreams can often become challenging, but challenges are what we live for.” From my early days in rodeo to becoming a firefighter and a mother, I remind myself daily of this quote. No matter what challenges lie ahead, I will work tirelessly until I achieve my goals.

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March 2025 - President's Message

If you are a basketball fan, you are looking forward to March Madness. Other important dates are World Hearing Day, March 3rd, and World Sleep Day before the Vernal Equinox on March 20th since we obtain an extra hour of sleep that day. For the foodies, with have National Banana Cream Pie Day and National Pancake Day. Whatever you enjoy celebrating, I hope you have a wonderful month in March.

BPWEV is going to have our regular meeting at Artur’s located at 70 N. Indiana Ave., in Englewood. on March 18th in the Wine Room. We will follow the same format. You will order off a pre-selected menu, and if you decide you want dessert, which will be an extra charge but included in the overall price. I would appreciate it if everyone responded to the Newsletter at BPWEV and register themselves either as a member or a guest. This allows the restaurant to plan accordingly.

The Board decided that we will have our Networking event on Tuesday, Aprill 22nd at 5:30 PM at Artur’s restaurant, probably in the party area. We will be inviting as many guests as possible to find out what Business Professional Women of Englewood and Venice entails. The fare will be appetizers and soft drinks. maybe a light dessert as well.

This is a critical time in our organization since April we are usually installing officers for our next fiscal year. Because we do not have a slate of officer since the same people are always stepping- up, we decided to try a “Hail Mary,” to see if we can attract some new members to the organization. If you are interested in serving in a position- 2nd Vice President(membership), Treasurer, Scholarship Chair, or on a committee, please call or email me. We have some new members- Kim Storie and Meggen Urka. Congratulations and welcome.

Thankfully Submitted,
Sue Hogrefe, President of BPWEV

2025 BPW Adult Learner Scholarships

Christine Davis Memorial Scholarship

For those of us who never knew her, I’d like to take a moment to introduce the lady our scholarship awards are named after.

Christine Davis was a BPW member for over 50 years, first in New York State and later in Florida.  Her energy to promote BPW was astounding. She served in every office the organization had to offer, short of State or National President. She served on many committees and especially enjoyed being chair of the scholarship committee until ill health required her to resign from too many obligations. Her beautiful smile, her eagerness to be always willing to help and her efficient handling of any task she elected to do or help with, will not be forgotten by the BPWEV members, but will be missed.

The Christine Davis Memorial Scholarships will preserve the love and devotion she championed to achieve equality for all women.

Public Policy Platform 2023-2024

At the BPW Florida State Conference in June, 2023, the Proposed Public Policy was presented and approved. The new Public Policy for 2023 – 2024 is below:

Introduction:

Since the inception of BPW/FL in 1919, BPW/FL has always supported women’s rights. BPW/FL continues to support the ERA as a basic foundation of our Public Policy Platform, even as we understand that passing the ERA grows more difficult with the passage of time. BPW/FL firmly believes that equality of rights under the law should not be abridged or denied by the United States or by any state on account of sex, and the rights of women require constant vigilance.

Item 1: Economic Equity, Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency

BPW/FL supports public policies that:

• ensure pay equity and equal employment opportunities for all women
• promote opportunities for women-owned businesses
• promote affordable, quality dependent care
• promote Social Security and retirement reform options benefiting women
• guarantee a workplace free from harassment and discrimination

Item 2: Health Care

BPW/Fl supports public policies that:

• support the expansion of affordable care, including Medicaid, in Florida
• support funding and initiatives the cover women’s health care needs
• ensure women’s access to all health care and family planning needs, including full access to all forms of reproductive health services, education, and prescriptions

Item 3: Voting Right and Access

BPW/FL supports public policies that:

• promote free and fair elections
• are aimed at expanding voters’ access to the polls
• are designed to protect the right of all American citizens to vote in fairly drawn legislative districts