August 2025 - President's Message

Dear BPWEV Members, Friends, and Supporters,

As the very hot summer gives away to renewed energy of August, I am delighted to reach out as your President to share some important updates and aspirations for the coming year. Since August is a time of new beginning for students and our new members, we have been busy setting goals behind the scenes with your Board members. I invite you to join me in celebrating our growth, fiscal responsibility, and a brighter future.

Last month it was my pleasure to welcome the following new members: Crystal K. Smith from CKE World Travel. Crystal is a retired elementary school teacher from Charlotte County. Crystal would love to book you next vacation whether it be to Disneyworld or Japan, where she just recently visited. Also, Dianne Ryan from Lyons Title and Trust Services in North Port to our group, and Diane Coll, CPA PLLC from Englewood. Remember that our new members can sign-up for a tabletop to speak at one of our meetings. New members can bring flyers or anything else at this time that will help the growth of your business. I would also like to spotlight in the newsletter new members with a bio picture of you. Please forward to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

One of our most vital responsibilities as an organization is to ensure that our aspirations are matched by thoughtful, sustainable stewardship of our resources. As we review the 2025-2026 budget and set our sights on ambitious programs, we must also reaffirm our commitment to effective fundraising and transparent financial planning. Some of the fundraisers planned for our local organization are a Wine- Glass Painting networking- event to be held on Saturday, September 13th from 11 AM to 1 PM. Details will follow soon. A woman seminar with speakers from our community, and the 15th Annual Passport Wine Tasting event in January 2026. Dates and places will be announced soon. The Board would like our members to sign-up for at least one fundraiser and everyone to be involved in the Wine Tasting event.

Wendy Nymack, Cyndy Fredricks, Deb Straw, Meggan Urka have been reviewing ways to cut our expenses while hoping to find ways to benefit from fundraising. Beyond fundraising, our organization depends on a diverse array of committees—ranging from Membership and Outreach, to Events, Education, and Community Partnerships. Each committee offers a unique way to contribute and develop your leadership skills. We hope you all take advantage of these opportunities.

Your President of BPWEV,
Sue Hogrefe

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