Upper Keys BPW Connection June 2025 |
|
|
Hi {Contact_First_Name},
I'm so excited to begin my term as president of this amazing organization! And I'm especially thrilled to be serving side-by-side with a 'dream team' Board of Directors. (Photo below... and you can learn more about each of these incredible women here.)
I was asked recently whether I had chosen a theme for my term as president. My first reaction was that I'm more about "goals" than "themes"... but then I thought, can't a theme reflect a goal? And a goal, a theme? The point is to set the tone and focus for the year ahead.
And so, whether you choose to call it a goal or a theme, I'm going with... empowerment. (Thanks for the suggestion, You-Know-Who-You-Are!)
The word empowerment isn't exactly new for BPW. We use it all the time: "Empowered women empower women" is a popular phrase that perfectly sums up how we pursue our mission of equity for working women.
In choosing it as a goal/theme, though, it begs the question: What does empowerment look like in our day-to-day actions and decisions? Here are a few thoughts on what it means to me...
- Concentrating on what we are for vs. what we are against (because that tends to makes the path forward much clearer).
- Taking action on the things we can control rather than getting stuck in what we can't.
- Speaking up for what is right and fair.
- Building confidence by stepping outside our comfort zones.
- Pausing to find the opportunities to learn, grow, coach and lead when the work gets hard.
- Encouraging others to find their own answers and solutions, even when it seems easier to provide them.
- Trusting others with big decisions and allowing them room to learn through mistakes.
- Taking ownership for our own mistakes and striving to do better.
- Freely sharing resources, skills and knowledge to help others thrive and succeed.
- Lifting others up by reminding them of their strengths, celebrating their wins and supporting them through tough times - even when they don't ask.
Looking at that list, I can see that I have some things to work on!
Thank you, BPW members, for empowering me to take on this challenge. I will do my best to lead in a way that empowers us all to be our best selves.
I would also love to hear what empowerment means to you, and how BPW can or does fit into that. I invite you to reach out at bpwupperkeys@gmail.com.
With gratitude, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6-8 p.m. at
Skipper's Dockside
528 Caribbean Drive ~ Key Largo Join us for an evening of informal networking! Registration includes your first drink and appetizers.
|
|
|
Thank you to our event sponsor:
|
|
|
|
|
8 a.m. via Zoom
Start your day by sharing something good - and catch up on the latest news from BPW members and friends - while sipping your morning coffee. (Come as you are, even if that means pajamas and wet hair... this is a no-judgment zone!)
SIGN UP HERE
|
|
|
In case you missed it...
On May 21st, more than 50 BPW members and guests gathered for our Annual Membership Meeting and installation of the 2025-26 Board of Directors. "Hats off" to our newly installed officers: Patricia Milian (President), Bonnie Barnes (President-Elect), Bernice Dionne (VP of Hospitality), Ilja Chapman (Treasurer), Lauren Zelt (VP of Programs), Violet Wahba (VP of Membership), Victoria Leonard (Director) and Amy Young (Director). (Not pictured: Elizabeth Brown, Secretary.) Click here to see more photos. |
|
|
|
|
Follow us on your favorite social media platform for the latest
news and event updates from Upper Keys BPW: |
|
|
|
|
BPW State Conference
June 20-22 ~ Palm Beach Gardens
Later this month, BPW Florida members and guests will gather for a weekend of educational sessions, networking, fun activities and state business. Friday afternoon offers general-interest topics while Saturday is focused on BPW business meetings and election of 2025-26 officers. The Saturday night banquet is always a highlight!
For more information or to register, go to www.bpwfl.org/state-conference. If you plan to attend, let us know at bpwupperkeys@gmail.com so we can include you in the group plans! |
|
|
|
|
Register for the next Virtual Lounge to meet up with BPW members and guests from across the state:
June 12 @ 8 a.m.
Non-members are always welcome to participate.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Get your message out
to 450+ local residents
with a BPW e-blast |
|
|
Do you have a business, product or event to promote? Reach our active mailing list of over 450 BPW members and Upper Keys residents, and support the BPW mission at the same time.
E-blast prices:
$20 - Members
$35 - Non-members
Order your eblast from our online store to get the process started. Then watch for a follow-up email with instructions for submitting your content. We'll take it from there!
Questions? Send us an email at bpwupperkeys@gmail.com. |
|
|
Women's scholarships available from
Key West National Organization for Women Upper Keys BPW isn't the only organization offering local women a financial leg up through scholarships! The Key West Chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) is accepting applications for the 2025 Connie Gilbert Scholarships. Six scholarships totaling $10,000 will be awarded to Monroe County applicants who identify as female and are pursuing career-related education, certification or licensing. Applicants must be women returning to the workforce, seeking professional certification or licensing, or entering at least their second year of college. Learn more here. The deadline to apply is July 15. To request an application, send an email to conniegilbertscholarshipfund@gmail.com. Coming soon: The application window for Upper Keys BPW fall scholarships for adult women will open on August 15. |
|
|
Atta Girls!
- Bernice Dionne will be competing in the Good Health Clinic's 2025 Big Kahuna Fundraising Contest - good luck, Bernice!
- Danya Herzberg has been promoted to Assistant Vice President, Upper Keys Branch Manager at First State Bank - atta girl, Danya!
- Jill Kuehnert, Campus Director at REEF, has officially opened the doors of the REEF Ocean Exploration Center in Key Largo - great news, Jill!
- Holly Raschein will be a featured speaker at the BPW Florida State Conference this month - way to go, Holly!
Do you know of a BPW member who recently achieved a personal or professional goal or milestone? (Maybe it was you!) We'd love to know about it so we can highlight it here. Send an email to bpwupperkeys@gmail.com. |
|
|
New Members in May 2025
Welcome!
- Terra Cardwell, TerraForm Health Coaching
- Lauren MccCormick, Seaside Chiropractic
|
|
|
Renewing Members in May 2025
Glad you're still with us!
- Jennifer Cappadona, member since 2015
- Nada Khalaf-Jones, member since 2023
- Christine Lauterborn, member since 2016
- Pam Martin, member since 2009
- Dr. Vidhi Patel, member since 2024
- Holly Merrill Raschein, member since 2004
- Christine Teasley, member since 2021
- Della Wheaton, member since 1991
- Carolyn Wightman, member since 2024
- Tina Wyatt, member since 2017
|
|
|
Members: Do you need a BPW name badge? If your BPW name badge is MIA or has seen better days -- or you chose not to order one when you first joined -- we have good news! You can easily order a name badge for $18 via the link below (or from the "Contact Us" page on the website). Orders are placed once a month, at the beginning of each month. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This message was sent to you by {Organization_Name}
P.O. Box 231, Tavernier, FL 33037
(305) 767-3928 ~ {Organization_URL}
If you no longer wish to receive these emails, you can unsubscribe at any time.
|
|
|
|
|
