President's Message
FALL BOARD 2019 SUMMARY
Did you know that meals can be faxed? It s true! I had a piece of pizza, cupcake and a glass of wine faxed to me Saturday evening (more on that later).
Did you know that we have two members who like to jump on the hotel beds wearing hotel bathrobes and holding an alcoholic beverage? It’s true! I’ve seen the pictures.
These are just a few of the FUN things that happened this weekend.
Our
Cancer Board
has money available for any catastrophic illness for a family member living in your household. Please remember the committee welcomes donations any time of year.
We have 12
NFBPWC
members. Anyone is welcome to join. The International Convention will be in Orlando in August 2020. Start saving for this incredible trip now! We want a group of women
to represent Michigan. The NFBPWC will also have a float in the Rose Parade. For $20 you can purchase a rose that will be on the float. If interested, please contact Shirley Zeller
seztowne@gmail.com
for more information.
The Centennial Comnmittee May 15-17, 2020 Lansing
We are working very hard to secure the Capitol as our celebration location on Friday (preferably) or Saturday night. We will have more information for you soon!
Convention -
we are discussing having a panel discussion about mental health on Saturday. PLEASE keep the weekend of May 15-17 open.
Spring Board
will be March 28, 2020 from 10-4 with lunch included. Led by our Vice President Amy Courter we will have a strategic planning session for BPW/Michigan from 10-12, lunch 12-1, planning 1-3. From 3-4 we will address the Convention 2020 budget and the Centennial Celebration. The location of the meeting will be Jackson or Albion. Please plan to join us! Also, there may be a movie viewing of Harriet Taubman on that date. As soon as we have confirmed details I’ll pass them along to you.
We are going to create an
ad hoc Marketing committee
to help announce all of our upcoming events. If you are interested in volunteering for this committee please contact Amy Courter
courtera@earthlink.net
.
Our two
speakers
were very informative and distributed 6 pages of handouts about the Census 2020.
They are still looking for workers to help in various positions from March through June.
Please feel free to share this email and the website (
2020census.gov/jobs
) with any friends and family who might be interested in flexible, part-time employment with a
great mission of public service.
The Person of Achievement banquet honored 5 awardees frnm 4 local organizations. Jim and Staci Stuart were nominated by Albion BPW and in attendance for the dinner. Unfortunately your President was ill following the afternoon meeting and unable to attend the banquet. Thank you to Amy Courter and Sara Tackett for a wonderful evening presenting the certificates and pins. I was looking forward to the shrimp pasta dinner but had to settle for a faxed dinner (pizza, cupcake and wine) that was delivered under the door to our room. I also missed a super delicious dessert.
Thank you to everyone who attended the Fall Board. We had 2 first timers Sara Tackett of Jackson and Kim Glasser of West Branch. Thank you to Jackson BPW members Amy Fracker and Kim Curtis for the banquet table decorations.
March 31, 2019 is Equal Pay Day.
Please keep reading the Monday Minute. We will have a lot of news for you in the near future! The next 6 months are very busy for our organization.
Jodi
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BPW/MI members making it
Please support this talented member of our organization. Someone from BPW Colorado ordered one of her books and got "hooked."
Octavia Turner, of Albion BPW is also a published author. It is her first book entitled expressive MOMents. It was originally released in April 2011 and she is looking to keep on with it. You can order directly from her or you can go to Amazon.com and find it there:
http://a.co/d/93GwIQb
Please keep your BPW sisters in Michigan and around the world who are going through major health, death, or other tragedies in your hearts and minds. They need our sisterly strength and support more than ever.
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Centennial Committee Request:
If you have any names and addresses you would like to invite to our celebration on May 15-17, 2020 in Lansing, please bring the information to Fall Board and give it to Carolyn Gilg at
carolyn.bpw1517@yahoo.com
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Historical BPW Information
With a big centennial coming up in BPW/MI, this section will now be devoted to some of the progress that the Michigan Federation has made over the years since it's beginnings. This information comes from our Michigan Manual with snippets of other memories and information coming from the membership if you are so inspired and inclined to do so. The more that the membership contributes, the long and more enlightening we can keep history alive in BPW.
From the Michigan Businesswomen - 1996
Focus, Goals, and Actions for 1995-96
Goals to achieve by May 1996 :
- Number One Voice of Working Women in Michigan - Locals generate at least one article per quarter in local media; Use "WeMean Business" information that was developed for Mackinac Island
- Double Slate of Officers for Nominations - Encourage, eduate about ruls; ask!
- Leadership, Training Expansion - more members participate to pepare for leadership; more members attend/particiate in meetings; each one, reach one, and teach one; new members workshop
- Exhibit Professionalism and Still Have fun - courtesy; return phone calls promptly, answer letters in a timely fashion; lead by example
- In crease and stabilize membership - Each one, reach one, teach one; add additional 200 membesr by 1996 Convention
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BPW Food for Thought
This section not only focuses on some interesting aspect of BPW that we could all learn from, but also some words and lessons of inspiration that we all can use sometimes.
Words are Important
Interpreting the Word "Sex"
Editor's note from Michigan ERAmerica
For centuries the word "sex" has had two meanings. As a noun, it meant gender - male or female. As a verb, it was the act such as "having sex." Later into the 20th Century the meaning expanded to talking about orientation and identity.
The US Supreme Court agreed to take 3 cases that involved the use of sex in lieu of identity and orientation. The courts are now grappling with the use of the word in Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. This act outlaws discrimination against people on the bases of race, religion, color, national origin or sex.
Depending on what the Court decides, the word "sex" could change how the Equal Rights Amendment is interpreted.
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Courts Matter Michigan
NCJW | MI has established a coalition of diverse organizations in our community united in their efforts to ensure a well-functioning federal judiciary, composed of qualified individuals, who are committed to upholding our core constitutional values. These values include voting rights, workers rights, the right to privacy, freedom of speech, the separation of church and state, among many others.
On October 22, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held that the Trump administration’s rules decimating the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) birth control benefit are not enforceable. In
October 2017
, the administration issued an interim final rule dramatically expanding which employers can be exempted from covering free contraception as part of health insurance without providing opportunity for public notice and comment. This move was swiftly blocked by the courts. However, after receiving over 100,000 public comments, the administration issued another nearly identical rule in
November 2018
. Once again,
multiple federal courts
blocked implementation of this rule, a decision that was
upheld by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals
in July 2019. Now, the
Ninth Circuit
has done same. Unfortunately, this saga will continue to play out in the courts as the administration
recently petitioned
the Supreme Court to overturn the Third Circuit’s decision.
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Citizens for Peace Information
Our monthly meetings are at
The Livonia Senior Center
15218 Farmington Rd, Livonia, MI 48154
(South side of 5 Mile @ Farmington Rd)
Mission of the Citizens for Peace
Be responsive community leaders centered on learning, educating, and facilitating the practices and principles of non-violence in our world. We encourage the empowerment of an active citizenry, and support legislation and programs that would prevent violence.
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Other Events Around Michigan
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Michigan Women Forward Update
All of us at MWF are thrilled to announce that Vernice Davis Anthony, Dr. Terry Blackhawk, and Gilda Jacobs will be the contemporary inductees into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame on Thursday November 7
th
at Detroit’s Cobo Center. The historical honorees are Martha Baldwin, Margaret Kirchner, and Hon. Lucille A. Watts. Together, they have shown us what courage, commitment, and conviction look like and how their actions have advanced so much, for so many. One hundred years from now, their names and their accomplishments must be remembered.
Please join us in celebrating these extraordinary Michigan women by becoming a sponsor of this prestigious statewide celebration.
Registration Information can be accessed
here.
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Tech Tips
BPW Website Updates
Where are we now? - We have fully functioning website through Infoservices as our web host. They are a Michigan based compnay out of Canton, Michigan.
Where are we going? - To keep up-to-date information online so that we can attract new members and get current member involved in the organization.
Functionality from the administration level - There is an admin sign-in and password that has been created to help oversee who is signing into the website and uploading the Monday Minute. Other administrations can be made available and for now are limited.
Date included on the website - Currently Executive committee officers, a membership section with list, an archive going back to at least one year of content, information on scholarships available; by-laws, committee chairs; the legislative platform; membership form and how to become a member; gallery of recent activities; links to local businesses and BPW-connected organizations and coalitions
How it's helped BPW/MI - save money on finding a new host; opportunity to connect with local presidents and members of the board; have attracted interest and membership in several locals since recreation
Where are we going? - In the future, looking to add an online payment, registration, and donation options, such as PayPal - according to our website hosts, this is the cheapest option;
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More Michigan Women in the News and History
Mary McCoy (1846-1923)
Mary McCoy became one of the most active black women activists of her day. She was called the Mother of Clubs because she either founded, or was involved in numerous organizations in the Detroit area. She was also co-founder of the Michigan State Association of Colored Women.
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NFBPWC News
The National Federation of Business and Professional Women's clubs (NFBPWC) develops the business, professional and leadership potential of women on all levels through education, advocacy, networking, mentoring, skill building and economic empowerment programs and projects.
The National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs (NFBPWC) of the United States of America is an affiliate of the International Federation of Business and Professional Women, which spans across five regions and over 110 countries of the world. In 2017 we celebrated 98 years of empowering women through our mission which is to develop the business, professional and leadership potential of women on all levels through education, advocacy, mentoring, networking, skill building and economic empowerment programs and projects.
Support the Votes for Women float by buying a yellow rose for friends or relatives to celebrate the victory in 1920
It takes thousands of roses to decorate a 55-foot long and 18-foot wide float in the Rose Parade® resented by Honda. And our float will be covered with yellow roses to pay tribute to the women who struggled for 72 years to win Women’s Right to Vote. To celebrate that victory, our rose vial program allows you to do the same. Just purchase a rose in a vial and we will put the name of someone you want to honor on that vial, which will hold a rose, that will be used to decorate the Votes for Women Centennial float.
For $20.20 per flower, you will have your chosen names on vials, holding a rose, riding down Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, CA, on New Year’s Day in the parade. Flower vials make fun and easy gifts that support our float and make it possible for you to be a part of history by knowing your contribution made a difference. You can purchase up to 10 vials at a time, with different names. Just go to their website for the Rose Vial at:
https://pasadenacelebrates2020.org/rose-vial-program/
The link will take you to an online form to complete.
Green News
By: Laurie Dameron, BPW Boulder Member Chair BPW Colorado Environment and Sustainable Development Committee Chair NFBPW Environmental and Sustainable Development Committee
Divest and Invest
Thanks again for all who helped with and attended our Global Climate Strike on Friday, September 20! Millions of people all around the world joined in this historical event. I won’t put in names because I don’t want to forget anyone and there were so many of you. Upwards of 300 folks from ages 6 months to 90 years showed up with passion and energy. The one person I will mention is the environmental movement’s newest hero, the Swedish 16-year-old, Greta Thunberg. I also want to publicly thank the management of the Starbucks at the corner of 28th and Pearl Streets in Boulder, Colorado, who gave us moral support and put pitchers of ice water and REAL glasses on the tables outside for all involved in the event!
Over the years, I have met SO many Starbucks employees and management who care about sustainability and zero waste, but we need to reach out to the corporate level. So I’m asking you to keep writing and emailing Starbucks and Whole Foods. Information is posted on my web page at
https://www.facebook.com/WhatCanIDoSpaceshipEarth/
; please follow me there for updates.
Another Action item I’ve been meaning to write about for a long time is divestment. I still cannot believe I had the presence of mind, at age 22, to sell the Exxon stock that my grandmother had given me and my siblings. I did not want to be supporting a company doing so much damage to the planet!
Today, it should be a top priority for folks to divest from huge corporations that are wreaking havoc on our environment, especially fossil fuels companies, and to invest in small business and companies that are following a positive course of action that helps people and our planet.
A few years back, my
Business and Professional Women Boulder Chapter
colleague turned me on to changing my billing from Xcel Energy to Arcadia Power. It is free to sign up and continues to be free. I feel good that 50% of my energy is coming from wind! Of course, the more folks who do this, the more it creates a demand for wind energy, and thus more wind farms to be built. Please Google Arcadia Power to learn more.
Divestment has been around a long time, but in 2012, 350.org launched its Go Fossil Free: Divest from Fossil Fuels campaign, which called for colleges and universities, as well as cities, religious institutions, and pension funds, to withdraw their investments from fossil fuel companies. There are several good articles at
https://350.org/category/topic/divestment/
.
There are other ways to help the cause. For example, you can join a local chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby (
https://citizensclimatelobby.org
), which uses average citizens, like you and I, to lobby their Congressional representatives to enact legislation that would put a fee on fossil fuels, and then return that money to American households. Even if you don’t join this organization, I encourage you to write your Congressional representatives to urge them to support the Carbon Fee and Dividend Act (H.R. 763), which is currently in the U.S. House of Representatives. You can point out to them that this is bipartisan, revenue-neutral legislation that allows for a market-driven way to hasten the transition to renewable energy—something the majority of their constituents of both parties’ support!
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International BPW News
What is BPW International?
The International Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPW International) was founded by Dr. Lena Madesin Phillips in 1930.
BPW International is one of the most influential international networks of business and professional women with affiliates in over 100 countries in five continents. Its members include influential women leaders, entrepreneurs, business owners, executives, professionals and young business and professional women.
Mission:
BPW develops the professional, business and leadership potential of women through skill building, networking advocacy, mentoring around the world.
Events around IFBPW
Nomination for
BPW Power to Make a Difference 2017-2019
is now open. All BPW affiliates world-wide are invited to submitted their nominations. To download brochure and nomination forms in all 3 categories: Leadership, Advocacy and Action, please visit
https://www.bpw-international.org/…/BPW-Power-to-Make-a-Dif…
The submission deadline is 10
January 2020.
Upcoming IFBPW events scheduled
- 2-7 November 2019 NFBPWC USA 100th Anniversary Cruise Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to Bahamas, Turks, and Caicos Islands
- 11 November 2019 Autumn Conference 2019 Switzerland
- 15-17 November 2019 2nd Mediterranean Symposium Nicosia, Cyprus
- 30 November 2019 – 2nd December 2019 BPW International East-Asia Sub-Regional Conference Tokyo, Japan
- 2–5 April 2020 10th Anniversary BPW (Valletta) Malta Conference Valletta, Malta
- 23-25 April 2020 Global Summit of Women 2020 Bangkok, Thailand
- Summer 2020 BPW Canada Convention Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; XXX BPW International Congress in Orlando, Florida, USA
- 16-19 October 2020 BPW Australia National Conference Adelaide, Australia
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ERA News
Rotten Apples
The movement has also been gifted by the Level Forward Company--Abby Disney is on our Advisory Board--with a focus from Rotten Apples on the ERA. Rotten Apples is a website founded in the midst of the MeToo Movement as a way for everyone to see whether or not television shows or movies are tainted by makers or stars who have been accused of sexual misconduct. Today the link went live with its focus on the ERA. Up first, Virginia:
We believe that for women to be treated equitably in the Hollywood—but really in any industry—laws must be in place to ensure it. That is why we are asking anyone who visits our site to help push for final ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment.
You will see as you move through the
site
, options to reach by Twitter and Facebook, voters in Virginia. Thanks, Rotten Apples.
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Other Legislative Updates
Ensuring the Rights of Counselors
Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) are mental health professionals who have, for decades, diagnosed and treated mental or emotional disorders, assisted clients in behavioral modification techniques, and promoted mental health awareness. Under a new state rule, their ability to continue to do so in Michigan was in jeopardy. HB 4325 was signed into law recently so they can continue to practice the same way they are operating.
Raise the Age
The Michigan Senate sent legislation to raise the age of convicted individuals in Michigan prosecuted as adults from 17 to 18. Michigan is just one of four states left in the nation to try 17-year-olds in the criminal justice system as adults, something that is both immoral and unjust.
Housing Crisis
The House Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing in the 13th Congressional District, which brought Members of Congress to Detroit to hear directly from local experts on the barriers to safe, affordable housing for all. Some critical issues that need to be addressed by federal, state, and local action include:
- Access to home lending and home-ownership counseling
- Enforcement of the anti-discrimination protections of the Fair Housing Act
- The ongoing risk of foreclosure and the lack of due process in the property assessment process
- Unaffordable water bills
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BPW Local Meeting Dates
If you are interested in travelling to a local BPW meeting in your are or another part of Michigan, please be mindful of their meeting, dates and times.
Albion BPW
-
Meets 4
th
Monday 6:30 p.m., Sheridan Twp. Hall (no Jan/Feb)
Eaton Rapids BPW
-
Meets 3
rd
Monday, 6:00 p.m., dinner meeting $15 @ Miller House (no Jan./Feb.)
Ionia
-
Meets 2
nd
Monday, noon
Jackson BPW
-
Meets 2
nd
& 4
th
Tuesday, Cascades Manor House
Keweenaw
-
Meets 4th Tuesday 6:00 pm
Saginaw
-
Meets 4
th
Tuesday
Traverse City
- no formal meetings
Wayne
-
Meets 4
th
Tuesday 6:30 p.m., Wayne Public Library
West Branch
-
Meets 2
nd
Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.
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Cancer Board Information
The BPW Michigan Cancer Fund has not had any request for money. If you know of a member who needs some assistance, we would be more than happy to help them. Please call Teresa Borowski for any application at 989-793-9494. More information on the Cancer Board and application requirements can be found in your Michigan Manual or on the BPW/Michigan website.
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BPW/Michigan would like to honor the following November Birthdays
:
November
November 5 - Mary Sue Hansen, Big Rapids
November 6 - Stacy A. Moore, Ionia
Stefanie Riggs, Jackson
November 7 - Felicia Horton, Sagniaw
November 8 - Lori Masters, Jackson
November 11 - Amy Courter, affiliate
November 15 - Wendy Hoekje, Eaton Rapids
November 19 - Pam Withrow, Ionia
November 26 - Jessica Embury, Jackson
November 29 - Linda Gillentine, Eaton Rapids
If you want your birthday to be recognized, make sure to write it down when you renew or apply for membership. You just might get a nice card out of it.
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Who is getting the Monday Minutes in your local? Are those without email access staying informed to the latest? Please help in passing along information to those members via your local meetings or otherwise. If you know someone who is not getting a Monday Minute or other email information, please let us know how we can help.
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If you have any photographs from and since our 2019 Convention, please send them to be posted in the Monday Minute, our Facebook page, and our website (which will be updated this summer). You can send calendar events and articles or information you'd like to see in the Monday Minute to
angelbpw1719@gmail.com
. - Sue Oser, BPW/MI PSP
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November - National Diabetes Month, Lung Cancer Awareness Month, National Adoption Month, National Native American Heritage Month
November 3 - Daylight Savings Time
November 5 - Election Day/Guy Fawkes Day
November 7 - Michigan Women's Foundation Dinner
November 8 - National STEM Day
November 11 - Veteran's Day
November 16 - International Day for Tolerance
November 28 - Thanksgiving
May 13-15 - Michigan Centennial Celebration and Convention
August 21-26, 2020 - BPW International Conference, Orlando Florida
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Michigan Federation Business Office
Jodi Snyder
210 W. Franklin #200, Jackson, MI 49201
(H) 517-529-9234 (C) 517-315-7285 (W) 517-787-523
3
E-MAIL:
bpw.michigan@gmail.com
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