Upper Keys BPW

Connection

May 2026

Our mission is to achieve equity for all working women through advocacy, education and connections.

President's Message  ~ Local Events  ~ Opportunities ~ 
 BPW/FL Happenings ~  Public Policy Corner ~  Member News

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Hi {Contact_First_Name}, 

At the risk of sounding cliché: MY, how time flies!

Twelve months ago, I was excited (and a bit nervous) to start my term as president of this amazing organization. Today, I'm equally excited (but not at all nervous) to pass the gavel to my capable and enthusiastic successor, Bonnie Barnes.

And what a productive and rewarding year it's been! 

If you'd like to hear all about how we supported and empowered women in our community over the past 12 months, please join us on Wednesday, May 20, at Playa Largo for our Annual Meeting and Luncheon where we will:

• Share highlights from the past year. Whether you've been a member for decades, you joined recently or you're just "BPW-curious," this is the perfect opportunity to see our mission in action. 

• Award a new round of scholarships. Our hardworking Scholarship Committee, chaired by Dr. Rose Littlejohn, will announce the five (yes, FIVE!) recipients of our spring Adult Women's Scholarships. 

• Elect and install our 2026-27 Board of Directors.  Speaking of hardworking committees, the Nominating Committee, chaired by Past President Suzi Youngberg, will present the incoming slate and lead the installation ceremony (always entertaining!). See the nominee profiles here and plan to be there to congratulate them in person.

• Preview the BPW/FL State Conference. The annual conference will be held June 12-14 in Palm Beach Gardens. Both members and guest are welcome, and we have funds available to help offset costs for members who attend. 

• Collect donations for a raffle basket to benefit the BPW/FL Education Foundation. Please consider bringing a gift card or a small, Keys-inspired item for our basket, which will be raffled at the State Conference to support scholarship houses at FSU and FAU and education grants for women across Florida.

Yes, all of that in one meeting! Don't miss it - register here.

Before signing off, I want to extend my deepest thanks to the amazing women who served alongside me on the Board this past year: Bonnie Barnes, Elizabeth Brown, Ilja Chapman, Bernice Dionne, Victoria Leonard, Violet Wahba, Amy Young and Lauren Zelt.

I said it a year ago, and you proved me right - you really are a Dream Team. I'm so proud of what we accomplished together and so grateful for your partnership in making it happen.  It's been my privilege to serve with you.

With endless gratitude,

Patricia Milian

President, Upper Keys BPW
bpwupperkeys@gmail.com

‪305.767.3928‬

LOCAL EVENTS

Wed, June 3 - Virtual Coffee Chat

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

Save the Date!

for our next 
"Meet, Mix & Mingle" Event

Wednesday, June 17
6-8 pm
Location TBD

Look for details to come via email next week.

In case you missed it... At our "Meet, Mix & Mingle" event at Key Largo Fisheries on April 15, member Sue Woltanski shared information about a campaign to collect donations of feminine hygiene products for Upper Keys girls in need. The donated supplies have now been delivered to local schools where they will be distributed before the summer break. Thank you to all who helped out! 

Follow us on your favorite social media platform for the latest
news and event updates from Upper Keys BPW:

OPPORTUNITIES

SHOWCASE YOUR BUSINESS

by Sponsoring a BPW Event

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 starting with our July luncheon. 

To reserve a date, send an email to bpwupperkeys@gmail.com. 

Sponsorships support our Adult Women's Scholarship Fund and other BPW programs designed to empower local working women.

Send an email blast
to 450+ local residents

Got a business or product to promote? An event you want to announce? Reach our active mailing list of over 450 BPW members and supporters in the Upper Keys with an email blast. (You provide the message, we send it to our list.)

BPW Members - $25

Non-Members - $40

CLICK HERE TO ORDER
(Log in to your member account for the discounted price.)

Questions? Send us an email at bpwupperkeys@gmail.com.

BPW FLORIDA HAPPENINGS

Registration is OPEN for
BPW Florida State Conference

June 19-21, Palm Beach Gardens

Once a year, BPW members from across the state gather for three days of educational sessions, networking, fun activities and state business. And each year, we set aside funds to help with registration and hotel costs for Upper Keys members who would like to attend. 

For more information and to register, CLICK HERE.

If you decide to attend, please let us know by sending an email tobpwupperkeys@gmail.com. 

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Click here for the complete BPW Florida event calendar.

BPW/FL Members-Only
Book Club Selection:

"Code Name Blue Wren"

by Jim Popkin

Discussion to be held on Wednesday, June 3, 6 p.m. via Zoom

Now available: 

BPW Florida t-shirts, water bottles, mugs, stickers and more! Click here to shop.

PUBLIC POLICY CORNER

The Florida SAVE Act

Beginning January 1, 2027, Florida’s SAVE Act (HB 991) requires documentary proof of U.S. citizenship if a voter’s citizenship cannot be confirmed through government database checks. (The new law does not affect 2026 elections.)

For registered voters, no action will be required if records match automatically. If a discrepancy is found — particularly involving name changes — a voter may be asked to provide documentation linking proof of citizenship to their current legal name. The following documents are listed in the statute as acceptable proof of citizenship:

• Certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate
• Valid (unexpired) U.S. passport or passport card
• Certificate of Naturalization
• Certificate of Citizenship
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad (for individuals born overseas to U.S. citizen parent(s))
• Federal court order granting U.S. citizenship
• Current and valid Florida driver license, state ID or other government-issued photo ID that explicitly indicates U.S. citizenship

If the name on your birth certificate or other citizenship document differs from your voter registration name due to marriage, divorce or court order, you may be asked to provide a certified copy of your marriage certificate, divorce decree or court-ordered name change. Those who have changed their names multiple times may need documentation for each change to establish the chain from birth name to current legal name. 

If this applies to you, be sure you can locate these documents and allow plenty of time if you need to request new certified copies from government agencies. To help voters with the associated costs and logistics, nonpartisan organizations such as www.VoteRiders.org will provide free guidance and even cover the document replacement fees. 

By July 2027, all newly issued and renewed Florida driver's licenses and state ID cards will clearly indicate U.S. citizenship status. This means Florida residents will eventually be able to use a new or updated driver's license as their primary proof of citizenship without showing other documentation. (The documentation may be requested before an updated license is issued.) Maintaining a valid U.S. passport can also simplify future verification, as a passport serves as standalone proof of citizenship and legal identity.

It's important to note that detailed implementation procedures are still being developed by election officials. In addition, the law is currently being challenged in court. Keep an eye on this space for critical updates or contact the Monroe County Supervisor of Elections with questions. (votemonroeflkeys.gov/305.292.3416)

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Your input is important. Please send questions or suggested topics for the Public Policy Corner to bpwupperkeys@gmail.com.

You can read about our Public Policy Platform here.

MEMBER NEWS

Atta Girls!

• Audra Hill and Barbara Overton were featured in the Keys Weekly May 7 edition, in a tribute to local moms for Mother's Day. Congratulations, Audra and Barbara!
• Big thanks to our outgoing board members - Elizabeth Brown, Victoria Leonard and Amy Young - for their dedicated service to our organization over multiple years. Your generous contribution of your precious time and energy are greatly appreciated!

Do you know of a BPW member who recently achieved a personal or professional goal or milestone? (Maybe it was you!) Let us know and we'll highlight it here. Send an email to bpwupperkeys@gmail.com.

Renewing Members in April 2026

Glad you're still with us!

• Elizabeth Brown, member since 2023
• Adriana Cuomo, member since 2021
• Monica Hane, member since 2021
• Laura Lietaert, member since 2025
• Dr. Vidhi Patel, member since 2024
• Tina Wyatt, member since 2017
• Amy Young, member since 2021

New Members in April 2026

Welcome!

• Beatriz Martinez-Penalver, Triumph Steps
• Heather Morelli, Keys RE-Treats
• Natalie Shea, Shen Health & Wellness

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.

Newsletter Archive

Access past issues in our Upper Keys BPW Newsletter Archive.

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