November 2024 - President's Report

It has been a topsy turvy summer with all the hurricanes we experienced this year. Hopefully, any of our members affected have been able to have repairs completed and can experience the holidays in their homes.

It is an Election Year so please remember to vote. I feel this is an especially important year with the two candidates having different visions going forward for our Country. A woman running for president makes me realize that little girls growing up in America can aspire to the highest office in the land. That is something we promote at BPWEV- education, leadership, networking, and professionalism.

Our major fundraiser this year, the Wine Tasting, has been postponed and rescheduled for Friday, January 10, 2025, to be held at the Rumours Wine Bar in Englewood, Florida from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM. If you have not purchased your ticket, you can go on the website. If you have a gift basket, gift cards, or sponsorships, please contact Deb Straw so that we can add your contact information to our banner and give credit on the BPWEV website.

We are back to meeting at the Plantation Golf and Country Club for the November 19th meeting. I am sorry to report that Teresa Karaffa is moving to Arizona to retire there with her husband. The Board and I want to thank Teresa for taking on the role of secretary with such grace. We will all miss her greatly but wish her much happiness in her new home. If you are interested in taking on the secretary job for BPWEV, please call or email me. All help is always welcome.

Since November is a time to give thanks to our family and friends for being there when we have hurricanes, health issues, or just need support for our daily living, make sure you spread the bounty because we all can use it this year.

Sincerely,

Sue Hogrefe
Your President of BPWEV

Wine Tasting Event - 14th Annual Passport to Your Future

Purchase Tickets

Become a Sponsor

Open Flyer

BPWEV is a non profit organization committed to enriching the lives of women through opportunities for individual development and growth. Sponsorships by local businesses/organizations of the event is encouraged. It will bring visibility and recognition to the business supporting this event.

For more information, please contact Cyndi (941-228-6883) or Debbie (941-661-6848).

2024 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