Upper Keys BPW Connection September 2025 |
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Our mission is to achieve equity for all working women through advocacy, education and connections.
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Hi {Contact_First_Name},
Ahhh, September in the Keys... humidity hangs like a curtain, the mosquitoes are ravenous and many of our favorite restaurants are closed for slow season. Good news is, the kids are back in school, you can make a left-hand turn onto US1 and "Florida fall" is right around the corner! You know what else is good news? Here at Upper Keys BPW, we're busy preparing for an exciting season of events and programs to engage, empower and celebrate our members and the community. Here's what's on deck for the coming weeks:
- Virtual Coffee Chats - Start your day with us on the first Wednesday of each month (via Zoom). Registration is now open for October 1 and November 5.
And that's just a taste of what our dedicated volunteers are up to! Keep reading below for more news and opportunities, and watch for event announcements in your email and social media (links below).
Looking forward to seeing you soon! In the meantime, feel free to reach out @bpwupperkeys@gmail.com.
With gratitude, |
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11:30am-1pm
Holiday Inn ~ Key Largo
**ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED**
Save your seat today!
Due to the planning required for this event,
we cannot accept walk-ins.
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Thank you to our event sponsors:
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You choose how you would like to participate:
1. Join the group walk on Saturday, October 4, 8:30 a.m.,
at Key Largo Community Park, OR
2. Complete the 5K on your own any time in October. Do it all in one day, or a little at a time - it's up to you! All walkers will receive a specially created pink bracelet from Lionfish Jewelry, a local member-owned business.
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Net proceeds benefit the BPW Breast Cancer Fund, which offers hope and help to Floridians facing this insidious disease. Any BPW Florida member in good standing may request a $250 grant on behalf of a Florida resident (member or non-member) who has been diagnosed with breast cancer, determined to be at high risk, or received mammogram results requiring further testing.
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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
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In case you missed it...
On August 20, close to 60 members and guests gathered for a networking night under the tiki at Snappers Turtle Club. VP of Programs Lauren Zelt introduced our new "Shares & Cares" segment (where attendees are invited to make announcements in exchange for a small donation to BPW) and President-Elect Bonnie Barnes sparked new connections with a group exercise using conversation-starter cards -- a perfect warmup for this month's “speed networking” luncheon! Click here to see more photos. |
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Follow us on your favorite social media platform for the latest
news and event updates from Upper Keys BPW: |
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Join BPW Florida's new Book Club Leader (and Immediate Past President) Michele Cavallo as she kicks off the BPW Florida Book Club next Wednesday, September 17, at 6 p.m. The group will meet to discuss the book selected several weeks ago: "The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post" by Allison Pataki. Didn't read the book? Come anyway! This is the meeting where the group will decide on meeting frequency, best days and times to meet, book ideas for the coming months, and more.
MEMBERS: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
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Now available: BPW Florida t-shirts, water bottles, mugs, stickers and more! Click here to shop. |
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Florida Business Woman Magazine Seeks Article Submissions Florida Business Woman, a statewide magazing published by BPW Florida, welcomes article submissions from members and non-members on topics of interest to working women. Appropriate topics include educational content and inspiring stories related to personal growth, professional development or political advocacy. (No self-promotion or partisan topics.) The deadline for the next issue (December) is Friday, November 7. To propose a topic or submit an article for consideration, send it via email to: info@bpwfl.org Interested in advertising in Florida Business Woman? Click here for more information.
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Last chance: Fall scholarship application
window CLOSES in 3 DAYS The deadline to apply for the Upper Keys BPW Adult Women's Scholarship is Monday, September 15 - just three days away! Upper Keys working women looking to boost their careers can apply for scholarships of up to $1500 to cover expenses related to training courses, professional certifications, CEU credits or college degree programs. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED, have resided in the Florida Keys for at least the past three years, and have three or more years of post-high school work experience. They must also be accepted or enrolled in an education or training program. It's not too late - help us spread the word!
Download and share this flyer, or visit
UpperKeysBPW.org to access the application. |
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SHOWCASE YOUR BUSINESS:
Sponsor a BPW Event |
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Are you looking to reach Upper Keys "movers & shakers"? Our monthly luncheons and networking events attract a diverse group of local business owners, solopreneurs, bankers, financial advisors, real estate agents, healthcare professionals, nonprofit leaders, educators, public servants and more.
Sponsoring a BPW event will get your organization noticed!
As a Gold Sponsor, you'll get:
- Prominent logo placement in all event announcements
- Exclusive mention in the BPW monthly newsletter and in our social media event pages and posts
- One promotional e-mail to our list of 450+
- One event admission (valued at $28-$36)
- Opportunity to share promotional materials at the event
- Opportunity to speak to attendees (up to 3 minutes)
Platinum Sponsors get even more - an additional e-mail, an ad in our monthly newsletter and an extra event entry.
We currently have open sponsorship slots for November 19 (luncheon), January 21 (luncheon), February 18 (networking night) and April 15 (networking night).
Gold Sponsorship is $275 for members and $325 for non-members. Upgrade to Platinum for an extra $50.
To reserve a date, send an email to bpwupperkeys@gmail.com.
Sponsorship fees support our Adult Women's Scholarship Fund and other BPW programs designed to empower local working women. |
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Send an email blast
to 450+ local residents |
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Got a business or product to promote? An event you want to get the word out about? Reach our active mailing list of over 450 BPW members and supporters in the Upper Keys.
E-blast prices:
$25 - Members
$40 - Non-members
Purchase your ad in our online store to get the process started.
Questions? Send us an email at bpwupperkeys@gmail.com. |
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Celebrating our Constitution
Next Wednesday, September 17, will mark the 238th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution - the foundational document that defines how our government works and codifies the rights of U.S. citizens. Formally named "Constitution Day and Citizenship Day," the day commemorates this monumental achievement while serving as a reminder of our rights and responsibilities as U.S. citizens.
And did you know? The U.S. Constitution is the longest-lasting written national constitution in the world, inspiring and influencing the constitutions of many other nations worldwide. It is also one of the shortest, clocking in at fewer than 4,500 words (not including the amendments). ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A request from the Public Policy Committee
Since its inception in 1919, BPW has advocated for policies that support equity for working women. Our 2025-26 Public Policy Platform, adopted at the BPW/FL State Conference in June (and voted upon by members annually), covers economic equity, opportunity and self-sufficiency; access to health care; and voting rights and access.
Our Public Policy Committee would like to hear from our members:
- Which areas of our policy platform matter most to you?
- What topics would you like to learn more about?
- What questions can they help to answer?
Your input is important! Please send your suggested topics and burning questions to bpwupperkeys@gmail.com. |
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It's Time to Submit Your Nominations for Woman of the Year & Business of the Year
Deadline: Thursday, September 18
On Wednesday, October 15, Upper Keys BPW will name our 2025 Woman of the Year and Business of the Year at our "Celebration of Working Women" event. As a BPW member, you will be invited to vote on the BPW member and member-run business that best deserve these honors for their contributions to our organization and our community as a whole.
But first, we need your nominations! CLICK HERE to nominate a WOMAN OF THE YEAR CLICK HERE to nominate a BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Only Upper Keys BPW members in
good standing may submit nominations.
Thank you! |
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Atta Girls!
- MarineLab, led by CEO Ginette Hughes, recently took over operations of the Jules' Undersea Lodge, lagoon and gift shop, which will become the MarineLab Undersea Park & Museum. Way to grow, Ginette!
- In August, Rose Littlejohn delivered a TEDx talk at the College of the Florida Keys in Key West. Rose shared her personal take on the event theme: "Paradise Within: Unlocking Human Potential." Impressive, Rose!
- On September 7, Whitney MacEachern celebrated the two-year anniversary of the opening of Cirque Salon Studios Homestead. Way to go, Whitney!
- Hulya Okur recently started a new job as office manager for Shen Acupuncture in Islamorada. Best of luck to you, Hulya!
- Michael Rojewski has published his debut novel, "Hearts Unbroken" (available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble). Congratulations, Michael!
- Christina Teasley recently started a new job at Keys Accounting. All our best, Christina!
- Melody Tuschel has been selected to join Leadership Monroe Class XXXIII. Kudos, Melody!
- Member Alissa Reckard is now Alissa Whittle. Best wishes, Alissa and Sam!
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. |
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Renewing Members in August 2025
Glad you're still with us!
- Gina Boilini, member since 2009
- Bernice Dionne, member since 2023
- Cynthia Gneiser, member since 2015
- Danya Herzberg, member since 2018
- Melody Tuschel, member since 2024
New Members Welcome! - Zuzette Heathcote, Baptist Health
- Carole Rose, Retired Superior Court Judge (California)
- Julia Waterman, Shell World of the Florida Keys
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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" page on the website). Orders are placed once a month, at the beginning of each month. |
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(305) 767-3928 ~ {Organization_URL}
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