Upper Keys BPW Connection February 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 we set out last year to create EMPOWER YOU, we envisioned
a multi-faceted event that would deliver engaging and relevant experiences not
just for business owners and working women, but for ALL women in our community,
regardless of age, background, career status or life stage.
Now, with less than four weeks until we gather for EMPOWER YOU on Saturday,
March 7, I am awed by the many ways our community has rallied around this vision.
Community Collaboration at Its Best
What started as a bold idea has become an exciting,
community-wide collaboration. The Event Committee, a diverse team of BPW members, has devoted countless hours
to planning, coordinating and promoting EMPOWER YOU. Local businesses, large
and small, have stepped up to sponsor the event and participate in the Business
Expo.
An impressive roster of speakers – including an Olympic gold
medalist – will be there to share their knowledge, wisdom and inspiration.
Local entrepreneurs are lining up to pitch their innovations for a chance to
win the Spark Tank LIVE competition. Individual ALLY sponsorships and ticket sales
are on the rise, and all signs point to a sold-out event!
The commitment, generosity and enthusiasm behind EMPOWER YOU
reflect the very best of our community and its support for women. Thank you to everyone
who has contributed so far – your efforts have positioned this event for
success in its very first year.
You’re Going to Want to Be in the Room!
If you’ve been considering participating in EMPOWER YOU – as
a sponsor, exhibitor or attendee – now is the time to act. A limited number of sponsorships
and Business Expo spaces remain (email bpwupperkeys@gmail.com
for details), and you can reserve your ticket here.
Every ticket sold, every sponsorship secured, every
exhibitor confirmed helps ensure not only a dynamic event day, but also positive
net proceeds to benefit our Adult Women’s Scholarship Program. This
long-standing program awards thousands of dollars annually to help local women build
better futures for themselves and their families through education and training.
Need more details before you commit? You can learn
everything about EMPOWER YOU here.
The foundation is set and the excitement is building. With your
support, EMPOWER YOU is poised to become a signature Upper Keys event for years
to come.
I look forward to
welcoming you on March 7!
With gratitude, |
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APPLY BY TOMORROW
for a chance to win $1500! Deadline: Midnight on Thursday, 2/12 |
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Are you a woman entrepreneur in the Florida Keys with an innovative business idea ready to catch fire? Enter by midnight tomorrow to compete in Spark Tank LIVE and get the visibility and support you need to ignite your idea! The Spark Tank LIVE Business Idea Competition is an "event within the event" that will take place during EMPOWER YOU on Saturday, March 7. Competitors will pitch their ideas live on stage in front of event attendees, who will vote to select the winner. The Spark Tank winner receives $1500 in seed money and other resources to help launch or grow her business. |
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Advance purchase tickets are $89 (general public). Upper Keys BPW members pay just $69. Includes morning coffee and snacks, access to all programs and activities throughout the day, lunch, one vote in the Spark Tank LIVE competition, participation in Business Expo Passport Challenge with prizes, closing networking reception with bubbly and sweet treats, attendee swag, and more! |
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BUSINESS OWNERS: Don't miss out
on reaching the EMPOWER YOU audience!
A limited number of BUSINESS EXPO TABLES and EVENT SPONSORSHIPS are available.
Show your support for the working women in our community while getting valuable brand exposure for your business.
Questions? Email bpwupperkeys@gmail.com. |
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THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS
Barefoot Possibilities Marketing Group
Baptist Health South Florida | Florida Keys Electric Cooperative
Houston Insurance Agency | Shen Health & Wellness
Beyond the Barre Fitness | Christy Hughes, Upper Keys Realtor
First State Bank | Keys to Embroidery | Keys Weekly Nada Jones Photography | Shell World | TD Construction
Vicky Bakery | Vital Signs | Joseph Molinaro CPA
Patricia LeShane | Rose Littlejohn | Lauren Zelt
With grant support from Florida Keys Council of the Arts |
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DROP IN
for an evening of
CASUAL NETWORKING
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Wednesday, February 18
6-8 p.m.
Key Largo Fisheries ~ Backyard Cafe
1313 Ocean Bay Drive, Key Largo
NO REGISTRATION FEE ~ CASH BAR
Join us for a drink, a snack or a quick hello!
Registration requested.
(We'll make sure they're staffed for us.)
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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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Join us for lunch and guest speaker
Liz Young, Executive Director
Florida Keys Council of the Arts
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Wednesday, March 18
Holiday Inn Key Largo ~ MM 99.7 Oceanside
Doors open @ 11:30 a.m. for networking
Program starts at noon
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** Advance registration required ~ No walk-ins **
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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...
Upper Keys BPW was well-represented at the Artist Reception for mosaic artist Sonata on February 3 at REEF Ocean Exploration Center. Sonata unveiled the installation of three beautiful, ocean-themed mosaics she created using the individual pieces crafted by commmunity members back in December. Click here to see more photos from the reception. |
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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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Getting to Know the BOCC
How much do you know about the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC)?
The BOCC serves as the county’s legislative body, responsible for setting policy, approving the budget, levying taxes and overseeing county operations. Recent decisions have addressed issues such as ROGO expansion, street flooding, affordable housing, and budget allocations for local nonprofits and community services -- critical topics that affect everyday life in the Keys.
The BOCC has five members, each of whom lives in a different district. Most of the Upper Keys fall within District 5, currently represented by BPW member Holly Merrill Raschein. While commissioners must live in specific districts, all voters countywide vote for every commissioner.
Commission meetings typically take place on the third Wednesday of each month at 9 a.m., rotating between Key West, Marathon and Key Largo. For those who can't attend in person, meetings are streamed live online and can be viewed on demand afterward. Residents are encouraged to attend!
To learn more about the BOCC, find meeting schedules and agendas, attend live meetings or watch past meetings online, visit:
Board of County Commissioners|Monroe County FL|Official Website
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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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Seeking Student Volunteers for
EMPOWER YOU on Saturday, March 7
Upper Keys BPW is looking for responsible volunteers to help with a variety of tasks during the EMPOWER YOU event on Saturday, March 7. Volunteers are needed between 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. to assist with attendee check-in, check badges at classroom doors, take lunch tickets, serve as messengers or runners, help with end-of-day cleanup, and other tasks. We'll give preference to volunteers who can offer at least 3-4 hours of service. Interested students should complete the Volunteer Sign Up Form by February 20 and a Volunteer Coordinator will reach out with more details. Questions? send an email to bpwupperkeys@gmail.com. |
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Atta Girls!
- Congratulations and best wishes to Ginette Hughes on her recent engagement!
- Cathy Brewer was honored as an "Unsung Hero" by the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys for her volunteer work on behalf of MarrVelous Pet Rescues. Atta girl, Cathy!
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! - Kate Banick, member since 2015
- Lisa Feliciano, member since 2024
- Ginette Hughes, member since 2018
- Cindi Irwin, member since 2021
- Erin Muir, member since 2023
- Amy Slate, member since 2025
New Members Welcome! - Lady Jones, Amazing Grace Chows
- Patricia LeShane, Sullivan LeShane Strategies LLC
- Kimberly Smith, Linking the Keys - Permanent Jewelry
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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}
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(305) 767-3928 ~ {Organization_URL}
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