Event Recap:
October 18, 2023 Celebration of Working Women
Baker's Cay Resort in Key Largo
It was the best of what the Upper Keys BPW is all about - friendship, connection, professional and personal development, support and advocacy for the working women in our community.
We had a great-looking crowd of around 70 honorees, members and guests eager to recognize our best the Upper Florida Keys. Many wore pink and purple in solidarity with Domestic Abuse Awareness Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
SouthState Bank was our event and award sponsor again this year. Thank you to Adriana Cuomo and the whole team for your continued support of BPW and working women in our community!!
Our Fall Women’s Scholarship recipients were recognized by BPW Scholarship Committee Chair Christina Teasley and Fish for Holly / Holly Given Fund representative Annie Hagen. Together we’ve committed $6,000 in funding for education and training this fall to women in our community. Congratulations to Suzi, Meredith, Hayley, Isis and Caitlin!
Next Margie Smith (2022 Woman of the Year and BPW Board member) led well-deserved appreciation and applause for our 2023 Woman of the Year Nominees:
- Cathy Brewer
- Carolyn De Paula
- Patricia Milian
- Elizabeth Moscynski
- Sue Woltanski
And 2023 Business of the Year Nominees:
- Houston Insurance Agency Inc. / Mary Houston
- Jellyfish Daydreams Tattoo / Cassandra Clark
- MountainTop Financial / Alissa Reckard
- Voyage Blue Travel / Ilja Chapman
Then we all congratulated the winners!
2023 Woman of the Year – Patricia Milian
2023 Business of the Year – Voyage Blue Travel/Ilja Chapman.
At the end of the night, raffle ticket sales came to over $300 – money that goes directly into our Scholarship Fund for the Spring round. Two lucky winners each got a stash of swag and other goodies contributed by the Woman and Business of the Year nominees.
It was a lovely evening. Thanks to everyone who came out and especially:
> Our honorees and the friends and family there to support them
> Our Upper Keys BPW Board and members who put the event together, especially Belle for terrific pictures and Sherri for handling the raffle basket sales
> Sound support and cool live music from Scott Youngberg
> The rest of the staff at Baker’s Cay Resort for their hospitality
> SouthState Bank for making it all possible as our sponsor!
Now let's keep the Celebration of Working Women going all month long:
- Congratulate all the nominees and our 2023 Woman of the Year Patricia Milian and 2023 Business of the Year Voyage Blue Travel/Ilja Chapman whenever you see them around town. And vote for all our businesses run by and supporting our members in other community "Best of" contest!
- Enjoy memories from last night -- and add your own -- on our Google photo album of pictures and videos from the evening.
- Support all women continuing their education and professional training, especially our Fall 2023 Scholarship recipients: Suzi Youngberg, Meredith Tyminski, Hayley Anne Colarusso, Isis Majeska, and Caitlin Yong.
You can also learn more about us by exploring our website at UpperKeysBPW.org. Check out our mission, our programs, and our past and upcoming events. If you're not already a member, you can also apply for membership (if and when you're ready) by completing the online membership form.
As part of the Florida Federation of Business & Professional Women's Clubs, we also support the state public policy platform which you can find here. BPW has a long history (over 100 years!) of advocating for women's issues and the work continues to this day.
Our events are open to the public, so even if membership is not for you, we hope to see you soon!
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