Engage with NFBPWC on Social Media

Organization Page:   https://www.facebook.com/NatlFedBPWC/

Group Page: https://www.facebook.com/NatlFedBPWC/

Organization Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nfbpwc

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By: Angie Jackson-Wilson
NFBPWC Nominations Chair 2024-2026 

The Nominations Committee is requesting each affiliate to submit the names of  candidates for leadership positions within the organization. By engaging with affiliates,  the committee aims to foster a collaborative environment essential for organizational  growth. This strategy will not only diversify the pool of expertise but also ensure that  leadership roles are filled with individuals who have a deep understanding of the  organization's unique perspectives and challenges. The committee's commitment to this  process is commendable and will likely contribute to robust governance and a dynamic  future for the organization. We are still seeking volunteers to serve on the committee. 

By: Karen GorgeratRegional Coordinator, North America and the Caribbean (2024- 2027) 

Greetings BPW Sisters!  

It is a pleasure to send this message to you as Regional Coordinator, North America and  Caribbean Region (NAC). It is truly an honour to have the opportunity to work with all of  you over the next triennium.  

I have been a BPW Canada member for over 30 years and have had a lot of different positions  over the years including Club President, BPW Ontario President and this year I finished my  term as Immediate Past President of BPW Canada. I live in Quinte West in the Province of Ontario, which is 2  hours east of Toronto. I joined BPW as a way to meet some like-minded women in my community, and by being  engaged in the work of our club it became so much more than that. This work included helping draft Resolutions,  writing Briefs and presenting to Ontario and the Canadian Government officials, presentations for Leadership  Training, attending Commission on Status of Women (CSW) AND meeting amazing women from around the  world. I hope you will all consider taking your BPW membership to the next level and enjoy all that your  membership can give you – what you give to BPW you will get back a hundred-fold.  

The BPW International theme for this triennium is “Inspire, Innovate, Empower, Transform: Together We Shape a Sustainable Future.” 

Our new BPW International executive, led by President Diana Barragan, is committed to be open and transparent and members will be able to see and appreciate the value of their membership. In NAC, our work will follow that theme to  

1. Sustain and Grow our Membership,  

2. Educate our Affiliates in the area of Advocacy and  

3. Leadership Development to help with Succession  

Planning of clubs and member engagement. We will be finalizing our Regional Committe

e team very soon, and I know with the dedication and commitment of this team we will be a strong force to support BPW International and each other in this beautiful region. May 2025 be a year for all of you that is full of love, laughter, good health and hope. 

Pictured Right: NFBPWC Pres Barbara, BPW Canada Pres Shan, RC Karin

By: Susan Oser
NFBPWC Health Chair, health@nfbpwc.org 

Our health committee continues to keep on going. While one plan is made it evolves and  changes with more discussions and more voices in the mix. Our meetings are held on the  3^rd Mondays of the month unless there is a conflict or a holiday. Our next meeting with be  January 27, 2025, at 8pm ET since January 20 is the Inauguration and Martin Luther King,  Jr. holiday and we would like to respect that. Our signature event that we co-sponsor with  Houston Methodist Hospital is Heart of a Woman, which is slated on February 7, 2025.  Please see the details below. 

If you are a former member of the health committee or would like to find an area where you could be involved,  please contact me at health@nfbpwc.org and I will put you on my list. The more you can contribute, the easier it  makes it for me. I’d love to have you. We will meet on the 3^rd or 4^th Monday of the month unless there are any  conflicts or holiday forthcoming. Next meeting is January 27, 2025 

Healthy Thinking for the Month: 

Happy New Year! Have you ever thought about your life and your own self-care? Why not make this year your  self-care year but get rid of things you don’t need, going to your doctors’ appointments, and taking time to relax.  The more you take care of yourself, the more the world will take care of you. 

Health Awareness Dates: 

January is – 

Bath Safety Month, Birth Defects Month, Celebration of Life Month, Cervical Health Awareness Month,  Children Impacted by Parent's Cancer Month, Clap 4 Health, Financial Wellness Month, Get A Balanced  Life Month, Get Organized Month, International Creativity Month, International Quality of Life Month,  International Wealth Mentality Month, Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month, National Be On-Purpose  Month, National Braille Literacy Month Link, National Clean Up Your Computer Month, National 

Codependency Awareness Month, National Conscience Month, National Glaucoma Awareness Month,  National Opticians Month, National Personal Self-Defense Awareness Month, National Personal Trainer  Awareness Month, National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, National Stalking  Awareness Month, National Volunteer Blood Donor Month, Self-help Group Awareness Month, Self-Love  Month, Thyroid Awareness Month, Walk Your Pet Month, World Introvert Month Link 

Healthy Recipes: 

The following is a nice healthy punch that not only can you make for the holidays, but also make for any party  courtesy of Bonnie O’Leary, Washington BPW (who has a story attached to it). 

By 2023 Windermere Services Company, All rights reserved. I called the local office to ensure we can publish this on our website. They  said it was not a problem and wish the recipients a happy holiday. 

Ingredients: 

Instructions: Chill all ingredients. When ready, combine in a large bowl in this order: tropical punch, cranberry  juice, pineapple juice, lemon juice. Slowly add the ginger ale to maintain as much fizz as possible, then add the  raspberry sherbet one scoop at a time. 

Let the beverage sit for a few minutes as the sherbet breaks down, helping the sherbet mix with a wooden spoon  to combine evenly. Serve with a ladle and enjoy. 

If you would like to submit a healthy recipe to publish in future newsletters, please send them to  health@nfbpwc.org 

Article courtesy of Health Committee member Kathy Clevenger-Burdell’s research – 

November 18, 2024 

Kelly, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Combat the Syphilis Epidemic, Protect Mothers and Infants 

U.S Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Mike Braun (R-IN)  introduced the Maternal and Infant Syphilis Prevention Act, legislation to protect pregnant mothers and infants  by requiring the Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary to issue guidance to states on best practices for  screening and treatment of congenital syphilis under Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program  (CHIP), and the Indian Health Service (IHS).  

The house version is led by Representatives Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-6) and Yadira Caraveo (D-CO-8).  

“Arizona has seen a concerning increase in congenital syphilis cases over the past few years. We know this disease  is preventable, and we owe it to our communities to make that a reality,” said Kelly. “Information saves lives,  and this bipartisan legislation is a critical step in making sure mothers and babies receive the screenings and  treatments they need to stay healthy.”  

“As New Mexico tackles the syphilis epidemic, I remain committed to protecting pregnant mothers and babies  by ensuring they have access to essential screening and treatment for congenital syphilis. That is what my  Maternal and Infant Syphilis Prevention Act will do,” said Heinrich. “I will keep fighting to expand access to the  high-quality health care New Mexicans need in their home communities.”  

“With rapidly rising rates of congenital syphilis in Arizona’s newborns, we need to ensure our mothers, families,  and health care professionals have thorough access to proper information and solutions when it comes to tackling 

and preventing this disease,” said Ciscomani. “I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan effort to promote and  improve screenings and treatments for syphilis, ensuring pregnant women, mothers, and babies stay as healthy  as possible.”  

“Affirm is proud to have supported the Maternal and Infant Syphilis Prevention Act and we are grateful to  Senator Kelly for his role in its introduction. As the HHS OPA funded Title X Family Planning Grantee in the  state of Arizona, our staff are keenly aware of the devastating consequences of undetected or undertreated  syphilis on babies and families in Arizona. Affirm is committed to be part of solutions aimed to increase access  to syphilis screening and timely treatment, educate health professionals and our communities, and decrease  stigma around this vitally important health topic. Our babies are counting on us to reduce maternal and infant  syphilis. We applaud Senator Kelly for making this a priority and we look forward to celebrating the passage of  this bill,” said Karen Martinot, DNP, WHNP, Director of Programs & Clinical Administration, Affirm Sexual and  Reproductive Health.  

Background  

Untreated, syphilis can seriously damage the heart and brain and can cause blindness, deafness, and paralysis  among newborns. Screening during the third trimester and delivery can lead to earlier detection of congenital  syphilis and prevent adverse health outcomes for mothers and newborn infants. Centers for Disease Control and  Prevention (CDC) data shows Arizona as the state with the third highest rate of congenital syphilis in the nation.  

Specifically, the Maternal and Infant Syphilis Prevention Act requires the HHS to issue guidance to state Medicaid  agencies on actions states may take to improve access to syphilis screening for pregnant mothers and infants, best  practices for physicians treating cases of congenital syphilis, strategies for increasing access to telehealth services,  and increasing access to treatment in the third trimester and at delivery.  

The legislation is endorsed by the National Coalition of STD Directors, March of Dimes, American College of  Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs, and Affirm. The text of the  bill is here. 

By: Teressa Gehrke
NFBPWC Digital Training Special Committee Chair 

Upcoming Digital Training 

The next Digital Training event is Sunday, February, 9 2025, 5:00 pm MT. virtual event will cover new Zoom features and putting your best face forward personally and professionally. This is also a good time to review some online safety tips, like romance scams before Valentine’s Day.  

Register online: https://nfbpwc.org/event-6001660

Here are some resources to review before our event:  

● Zoom Learning Center 

● Zoom on YouTube 

For additional technology assistance or questions, please email: DigitalTraining@nfbpwc.org.  

Looking for a few good women 

Are you tech savvy? Join the Digital Training Committee.Email DigitalTraining@nfbpwc.org, if you’re interested. The committee will support the chair with ongoing tech news through blogs, articles, and quarterly events.

By: Angie Jackson-Wilson, NFBPWC Bylaws and Resolution Chair 2024-2026 
Varnell Kinnen, Co-Chair 

The Bylaws and Resolutions Committee convened in October, marking a significant  advancement in our organization's dedication to aligning governing documents with our  mission. We are requesting each affiliate to review their bylaws and ensure they align  with those of the National Organization. 

In the upcoming months, our focus will be on promoting consistency and collaboration  among affiliates. It is crucial for each affiliate to nominate a representative to serve on the  committee. This step guarantees diverse perspectives and inclusive decision-making, which not only strengthens  the committee's function but also empowers affiliates to actively contribute to the organization's future. This  collective effort will undoubtedly lead to a more robust and mission-focused governance structure.

By: Susan Oser, NFBPWC Advocacy Team LGBTQ+ Lead 
LGBTQ+ Advocacy Team: Amanda L Collier, DC, PA Affiliate Chapter Member 

Happy New Year! What are your New Year’s resolutions? Maybe one of them is being  an ally to the LGBTQ+ community. Here are some resources to help you: 

Straight for Equality: Guide to Being an Ally to Trans and Nonbinary People - https://tinyurl.com/5fkey84w 

Friends & Family Support Systems for LGBTQ+ Youth - https://tinyurl.com/sxes3z24 We Need to Talk More About Trans People, Not Less - https://tinyurl.com/4nujxkd3 

LGBTQ+ Dates for January 

National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month 

Jan. 15-19: No Name-Calling Week 

January 27: International Holocaust Remembrance Day – Honoring the memory of all who suffered,  including the many LGBTQ individuals persecuted during the Holocaust. 

Good LGBTQ+ News– 

✓ Making History: Iowa elects first transgender woman to the state legislature - https://tinyurl.com/yc4d98kj 

✓ Alex Consani becomes first transgender Model of the Year - https://tinyurl.com/5jtevvb7 ✓ Trans power couple Zooey Zephyr & Erin Reed got married & the pictures will melt your heart - https://tinyurl.com/yc44ewr5 

Helplines 

The Trevor Project: (866) 488-7386 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255 

Ali Forney Day Center: (212) 206-0574 

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Info: (800) 342-AIDS (2437), Spanish service: (800)  344-7432, TDD service for the deaf: (800) 243-7889, [10:00am till 10:00pm EST, Monday through Friday] 

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender National Hotline: (888) 843-4564 

The GLBT National Youth Talkline (youth serving youth through age 25): (800) 246-7743 The National Runaway Switchboard: (800) RUNAWAY (786-2929) 

If you have any news or leads on anything related to LGBTQ+ news, issues, and organizations, please contact  Sue Oser at soser@nfbpwc.org. If you would like to help Susan educate on these issues, please let her know  as well. She is also available for presentations and any questions you may have.

By: Nancy Werner
NFBPWC Advocacy Team ERA Lead (2022-2026) 

EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT – The Unbelievable Story that is HAPPENING! 

Advocacy –Equal Rights Amendment. “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex” needs to be placed into our Constitution. While most states have laws prohibiting discrimination of any kind based on sex, proponents of the E.R.A. say laws can be reversed or eliminated. Having a Constitutional Amendment would cement those rights. We are in a whirlwind of Equal Rights Amendment news as we come to the close of the Biden Presidency. I want you to call the White House, (Tuesday to Thursday, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, Phone Number 202-456-1111), send texts to the White House (302-404-0880) and even send letters to President Biden  asking him to tell the archivist to place the 28^th Amendment into the Constitution. Just take some time. 

In early December we heard U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York. Most Senators signed the letter that  she composed encouraging President Biden to tell the archivist to place the ERA into the Constitution. She  held a town meeting that first week and really shared the process of getting the ERA into the Constitution.  Sen. Gillibrand is determined. 

But soon after the town hall, we heard from the Archivist, Dr. Colleen J. Shogan who shared that she would  not publish the ERA if even asked. The ERA Coalition responded to the National Archives “Statement on the  Equal Rights Amendment Ratification Process” 

Tuesday, December 17, 2024 Washington, DC … We are deeply disappointed by today’s statement from the  Archivist of the United States Dr. Colleen Shogan and Deputy Archivist William J. Bosanko. The Archivist’s  position offers nothing new and has no bearing on the Equal Rights Amendment’s status as validly ratified.  The ERA belongs to the people, and its future cannot be determined by political hesitations. 

“The National Archivist has a legal and moral obligation to follow the Constitution and publish amendments  as directed by the states. In hiding behind bad-faith and non-binding time limits imposed on the ERA by a  long-expired Congress, the archivist does what every American institution has done to women throughout  our history; serves as an instrument of our oppression. We are incredibly disappointed in this decision, but  not naive enough to say that we are surprised by it,” said Alyssa Milano, Chair - ERA Coalition Board of  Directors. 

The Equal Rights Amendment was passed by Congress in 1972, and by 2020, it met the constitutional  requirement of ratification by 38 states. It is ready for publication as the 28th Amendment to the U.S.  Constitution. Yet opponents of equality continue to cling to outdated technicalities, including a time limit  placed in the preamble. History proves them wrong: the 27th Amendment, governing congressional pay, was  ratified after more than 200 years. 

The American Bar Association (ABA) affirms this truth. In adopting Resolution 601, the ABA recognizes the  ERA as the 28th Amendment and calls for its immediate publication. 

A clear majority of voters stand with us. Recent polling reveals that 61% of voters—including 87% of  Democrats, 64% of Independents, and 35% of Republicans—believe the ERA must be published. This public  mandate strengthens our resolve. 

The battle for equality is far from over. President Biden has the opportunity—and the obligation—to publish  the Equal Rights Amendment. But regardless of the obstacles we face, we will not give up. We will persist  because gender equality is non-negotiable and enshrining it in our Constitution is long overdue. 

This is a fight for the people’s Constitution and for a more just and equitable country. The ERA has met all  constitutional requirements, and we will see it recognized as the 28th Amendment. 

In the name of The People’s Constitution, we will persist until the ERA is recognized. Now we move on to the next exciting development. Carolyn Maloney steps in… 

Dear ERA Supporter,  

As the clock ticks down on the current congressional session, we find ourselves at the edge of both  frustration and hope. Because of your demonstrated commitment to the ERA and equality, I want to  bring you up to date and outline the next steps. 

The Equal Rights Amendment joint resolutions before Congress that recognized the ERA as ratified and  eliminated the arbitrary timeline were not adopted this session. BUT... let’s not mistake the end of this  session for the end of this fight. The ERA hasn’t lost ground; instead, given the 2024 election results there  is a newfound urgency. 

As the 118th Congress concludes in early January, we must honor those who stood for equality - the 214  House Democrats who signed the ERA discharge petition. Only four Republicans were needed to bring  the ERA to the floor for a vote. We were closer than at any time in the past to enshrining the ERA into  the Constitution, and I believe Failure is Impossible. This Republican absence looms large, a reactionary  shadow cast by those opposed to gender equality that obstructs what is fair and just. And so, we will work now to ensure that voters remember—and act accordingly— in November 2026. 

Current Status of ERA Tangled in Confusion and Risk. Over these past weeks, I’ve read countless emails,  sat through heated meetings, and heard the cries for action directed at President Biden urging him to  order the Archivist to certify and publish the ERA in the Constitution. I understand the yearning for a  decisive stroke. But this path, I believe, is a snare, tangled in legal thorns, DANGEROUS and fraught  with risk. 

After careful study and consultation with leading constitutional experts, I am certain that Congress must  pass joint resolutions to recognize the ERA and remove the arbitrary time limit. The evidence is  unyielding - President Biden has no role in this amending process. 

His intervention could set off a chain reaction, handing ERA opponents an opportunity to challenge the  amendment in court. A judicial gauntlet with judges appointed by the previous administration risks  obliterating decades of progress, forcing us to begin again, clawing our way back through Congress,  where a 2/3rds vote is needed in the House and Senate, and ¾ of state legislatures must ratify any new  amendment. In January 2022, President Biden released a statement on the House ERA resolution again  expressing his support for the ERA “loudly and clearly.” His statement continued by saying: 

We must recognize the clear will of the American people and definitively enshrine the principle of  gender equality in the Constitution. It is long past time that we put all doubt to rest. I am calling on  Congress to act immediately to pass a resolution recognizing ratification of the ERA. As the recently  published Office of Legal Counsel memorandum makes clear, there is nothing standing in Congress’  way from doing so. 

As the Columbia Law School ERA Project points out -- Congress has the clear authority to amend, extend,  or repeal the ratification time limit placed in the preamble to the Equal Rights Amendment. I believe  congressional actions are the only viable route to affirming that the ERA is part of the Constitution. 

Article V of the Constitution is clear: the power to amend lies solely with Congress and the states. It is  Congress that must act to repeal the time limit and recognize the ERA’s ratification by 38 state  legislatures. The time for half-measures has passed. 

The Archivist, too, occupies a liminal—between and betwixt-- space. During her Senate confirmation  hearings, Archivist Dr. Colleen Shogan was asked whether the Archivist has the authority to certify the  ERA. Her accompanying written response was illuminating and cautious: 

Following ratification by three-fourths of the states, the Archivist of the United States, pursuant to  statute, is to identify that ratifying states, publish the amendment, and certify that the amendment has  become part of the United States Constitution. 

As I understand it, the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) has been ratified by 38 states. However, three  ratifications occurred after the June 30, 1982 congressional-imposed deadline. The question is whether  Congress has the power to impose a deadline on the ratification of a constitutional amendment. The  Constitution is silent on this issue. However, Congress has established such deadlines since the  Prohibition amendment, and its power to do so have been supported by the Supreme Court. 

Two legal memoranda, written by the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) of the Department of Justice from  the previous [Trump] Administration and current [Biden] Administration, support this interpretation.  Additionally, the 2022 OLC memorandum states, “[T]he 2020 OLC Opinion does not preclude the House  or the Senate from taking further action regarding ratification of the ERA. As a co-equal branch of  government, Congress is entitled to take a different view on these complex and unsettled questions.” 

I also understand that this issue is being litigated in Virginia v. Ferriero, a case which is currently on  appeal. Ultimately, this is an issue that will be resolved by Congress and the courts. 

On December 17, the Archives issued a Statement on the Equal Rights Amendment Ratification Process  that updates an earlier statement and points out: The OLC concluded that extending or removing the  deadline requires new action by Congress or the courts. 

Though the DC Circuit Court dismissed the Illinois v. Ferriero lawsuit on standing grounds, the issue  remains a labyrinth, winding between Congress and the judiciary. And let’s not forget that the National  Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is an independent agency. Under the law, the Archivist  has broad authority over records management, facilities, grants, agreements and general agency  administration. Overall, the President has no authority over policy development or actions of  independent agencies including NARA. 

I will not rest in this fight. And I know you won’t either. Together, we have the opportunity to build a  grassroots movement that focuses sharply on key congressional districts and states, knitting a web of  support that no opposition can unravel. Failure is impossible—provided we channel our frustration into  a successful strategy, our anger into action. 

I want to thank everyone who worked with me and others over this past year by writing to your Member  of Congress about the House joint resolution and discharge petition. We were so close and next time we will put the new resolutions over the finish line. The only way to get things done is for both sides to  come together. That’s the truth of it. 

In the next Congress, I hope women and men - Republicans, Democrats and Independents - can find a  way to work together. Not for themselves, but for something bigger. For equality. Equality of  opportunity. Equality in the economy. Equality for women written into the Constitution where it  belongs. Simple. Straightforward. Unshakable. 

Over the next two years, we must organize and then elect enough Representatives and Senators to  Congress to ensure the ERA is recognized, published, and shielded from judicial challenges. I ask you to  join me in this effort. Dedicate a few hours each week or month to the cause. Send an email to  team@sign4ERA.org and become an ERA Champion. We’ll get right back to you with action steps you 

can begin taking immediately. Together, we will lay the groundwork for a future where equality is  enshrined in our Constitution—a legacy no court can overturn. 

For Equality, Carolyn Maloney, Member of Congress, 1993 – 2023 

But just in the last week we heard from Equal Means Equal led by Kamala Lopez and Wendy Murphy, Esq.  plus Arlaine Rocky, Esq., that something was not right in Washington D.C. Seems they learned that Ellie  Smeal orchestrated a secret meeting with the Council on Women and Girls to persuade Biden NOT to proceed  in any way with publishing the ERA. WOW! Did I hear this correctly? Now I am researching this information  as it doesn’t bode well. We need to know if it is true of false. 

I just love the reference by Lilly Gioia, our PA Legislation guru, that we are seeing Alice Paul again showing  activism, marches, picketing and going full steam ahead for all women and men for equality. The Equal Means  Equal is receiving press coverage like never before-New York Times and the Washington Post. There will be a  March on December 28 in Washington D.C. right in front of the U.S. Archives. The 28^th is symbolic for the 28^thamendment. The PR for this event is amazing as billboards can be found everywhere sharing this upcoming  event. 

But I wish to end with the Message from our NFBPWC VP of Advocacy, Emily Vleck. She sums it up best that  we each need to be doing something to see the ERA become our 28^th amendment into the Constitution. Please  show your support for now is the TIME. 

By: Nancy Werner
NFBPWC Public Relations Chair (2024-2026) 

Engage with NFBPWC on Social Media

Organization Page:   https://www.facebook.com/NatlFedBPWC/

Group Page: https://www.facebook.com/NatlFedBPWC/

Organization Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nfbpwc

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2l_ciIxLyvbu1dbBOsV9Tg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nfbpwc_usa/

By: Angie Jackson-Wilson
NFBPWC Nominations Chair 2024-2026