Upper Keys BPW Connection January 2026 |
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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},
When you live in the Upper Keys, the New Year always arrives with a rush of invitations to some of the year's best community events. As you consider what will make it onto your calendar, be sure to save room for Upper Keys BPW's diverse new offerings! We're making an extra effort this year to add unique and inspiring events, on top of our popular third-Wednesday gatherings. Through our partnership with REEF Environmental Education Foundation, and with generous grant support from the Florida Keys Council of the Arts, we're co-hosting three upcoming events at the REEF Ocean Exploration Center. The grant is designed to make the arts more accessible to working women and their families. That's why these events are 100% free to attend. I hope to see you at the next one on Tuesday, February 3. It's a free Artist Reception for mosaic artist Sonata, who will unveil a new community mosaic at REEF. BPW members and guests are invited to a private preview from 6-6:30 p.m. Register here to attend the private portion of the program. And then there's EMPOWER YOU on Saturday, March 7: By now you've heard about this full-day event designed to support, connect and inspire the women in our community. But maybe you haven't heard that we've secured Olympic gold medalist and five-time World Champion rower Amanda Polk as our keynote speaker! We're also about to open up the application window for Spark Tank LIVE, a competition for local women entrepreneurs that will take place during the event, with attendees selecting the winner. We couldn't pull off an event this ambitious without the support of our community - THANK YOU to our sponsors and exhibitors so far: - Barefoot Possibilities Marketing Group
- Houston Insurance Agency
- FKEC
- Shen Health Acupuncture
- First State Bank
- Christy Hughes REALTOR
- Shell World
- Joseph Molinaro CPA
- Key Largo Yoga
- Voyage Blue Travel
We're still welcoming sponsors and exhibitors for this new premier BPW event. You can find more information here, or send me an email at bpwupperkeys@gmail.com. Or you can go ahead and sign up here. Net proceeds from EMPOWER YOU will benefit our Adult Women's Scholarship Program and other BPW programs designed to empower the working women of our community.
With gratitude, |
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OTHER PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
- Educational breakout sessions
- Women's Business Expo
- Health & wellness activities & demonstrations
- Spark Tank LIVE business idea competition
- Closing networking reception
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SHOWCASE YOUR BRAND: BECOME A SPONSOR Support working women and get immediate brand exposure. |
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MEMBERS:
JOIN THE BUSINESS EXPO
Promote your business onsite
to 100+ event attendees. |
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Ready to ignite your powerful business idea? |
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The Spark Tank Business Idea Competition takes place live during EMPOWER YOU, with attendees voting for their favorites. The winner will receive seed money and other resources to help launch or grow the business. Watch for the online application coming soon!
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Noon-1 p.m.
Holiday Inn ~ Key Largo
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"Running a Successful Business
in the Keys: Lessons Learned"
Join us as Whitney MacEachern, owner of Cirque Salon Studios and BPW member, shares her unique perspective and best advice on what it takes to build and sustain a thriving local business.
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Join us for an exclusive Artist Reception
with Sonata of Sonata Mosaics
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Tuesday, February 3
REEF Ocean Exploration Center ~ Key Largo
6-6:30 PM
Private reception for BPW members & guests
6:30-7:30 PM
Public reception
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Registration requested for private reception. |
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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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SAVE THE DATES
for these FREE 2026 events
presented in partnership with
REEF Environmental Education Foundation
- Tuesday, April 7, 6-8 p.m. - Parents' Networking Night - Bring the kids to explore the new REEF center - guided by REEF staff - while you connect with BPW members and guests.
- Tuesday, May 5, 6-8 p.m. - Lionfish Jewelry Making Workshop - Drop in for a BPW meetup and try your hand at jewelry making while learning about the invasive lionfish.
Watch your email inbox for details to come.
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These events are sponsored in part by the Florida Keys Council of the Arts, the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and private donations.
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In case you missed it...
More than 60 members and guests gathered at Marine Lab on December 17 to celebrate the season at our annual Holiday Party. As usual, the 'tacky ornament exchange' delivered a fun mix of strategy, surprise and good-natured steals. The new photo backdrop was a crowd favorite! Click here to see more photos from the evening. |
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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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Now available: BPW Florida t-shirts, water bottles, mugs, stickers and more! Click here to shop. |
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SHOWCASE YOUR BUSINESS:
Sponsor a BPW Event |
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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.
Bottom line: Sponsoring a BPW event will get your organization noticed! Check out our sponsor options, pricing and benefits here.
We have open sponsorship slots for February 18 and April 15.
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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Vote-by-Mail requests have expired! Florida law requires every voter to request a new Vote-by-Mail ballot after each election cycle. If you would like the option to vote by mail in the 2026 elections, you must make a new request this year even if you voted by mail in 2024. Requests must be submitted by 5 p.m. on the 12th day before election day - but why wait when you can make the request now?
Also keep in mind that many disabled and older voters rely on Vote-by-Mail ballots. Ensure everyone in your life who needs one submits a new Vote-by-Mail ballot request well before November. To make a request, visit the Monroe County Supervisor of Elections website at votemonroeflkeys.gov or call their Key Largo office at 305.453.8740.
More information about voting by mail is available here: Vote-by-Mail - Division of Elections - Florida Department of State.
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About the BPW/FL Public Policy Platform
Since its inception in 1919, BPW has advocated for policies that support equity for working women. Our 2025-26 Public Policy Platform, adopted annually at the BPW/FL State Conference each June, covers economic equity, opportunity and self-sufficiency; access to health care; and voting rights and access.
Your input is important! Please send questions or suggested topics to bpwupperkeys@gmail.com. |
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Join the Spring Scholarship Committee
Would you like to help select our next round of scholarship recipients? The Spring Scholarship Committee kicks off its next cycle in February and is seeking members interested in serving on the committee.
The commitment involves attending two or three meetings from February to May, helping to promote the program during the application window (distribute flyers, forward emails, share social media posts, spread word of mouth), reviewing and scoring the applications, and collaborating with fellow committee members to make a final recommendation to the Board of Directors.
If you're interested or have questions about the process, reach out to Scholarship Committee Chair Rose Littlejohn at 347.410.0680 or roselittlejohn214@gmail.com. |
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Atta Girls!
- Lori Bailey was named "Volunteer of the Week" by the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys for her contributions to the Good Health Clinic. Thank you for your generous support of our community, Lori!
- Jackie Harder has launched SheRises Network, a free program supporting women transitioning from school to career, returning to the workforce, or simply seeking clarity and community. The program helps women gain confidence, life skills and professional readiness through small-group Career Success Circles and one-on-one support. Impressive, Jackie! (Contact Jackie via email or call/text 305-942-3591 for more info.)
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 November 2025
Glad you're still with us!
- Wendy Cole, member since 2019
- Dorothy Harden, member since 2009
- Mary Beth Harris, member since 2019
- Ginette Hughes, member since 2018
New Members Welcome! - Christy Hughes, Upper Keys Realtor
- Tonya Salomon, Key Largo Chamber of Commerce
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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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This message was sent to you by {Organization_Name}
P.O. Box 231, Tavernier, FL 33037
(305) 767-3928 ~ {Organization_URL}
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