BPW Connection 

September 2024

In this issue: 

President's Message ~ Local Events ~ BPW/FL EventsOpportunities ~ Member News




 President's Message

Hey there -- What did you want to be when you grew up?

If you were reading this newsletter two years ago, you might remember that I wanted to be Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) or, maybe a little more modestly, US Ambassador to the UN. I went to an international studies high school and majored in international affairs in college. #globalnerd

But by the time Madeleine Albright became the UN Ambassador, I knew enough to know that I didn’t want that particular job any more.

But she was the kind of person I wanted to be:

Smart and well-spoken. Dedicated to doing as much good as possible. Helping people understand each other better and find new solutions to big problems.

In real life, throughout my career, working women have been my role models.

  • In the corporate world there was Kate, Nicole, Natalie, Kelly and Chris.
  • The women who showed me what it would be like to chart my own course as a consultant were Natasha and Christy.
  • Strong women working in the scuba business were reassuring when I ran a private charter here in Key Largo.
  • Ginette, Kate and others have been so supportive as I returned to full-time work in a non-profit this year.

I’ve fallen short of the standards all these women have set many times, but seeing them do excellent work keeps me going.

The people and organizations we choose to have around us make us who we are.

And if we don’t consciously choose those role models, we’re likely to be swept along by trends or influencers that might not reflect our highest ideals.

This is why the Upper Keys BPW takes such pride in naming a Woman of the Year and a Business of the Year.

If you’re a member and haven’t already submitted your nominations, maybe these questions will help:

Who is being of service to the community in the way that 2023 Woman of the Year and Upper Keys BPW President-Elect Patricia Milian is?

What BPW member has inspired you with her leadership, impact and contributions to our organization?

Nominate a Woman of the Year here. 

Who is consistently delighting customers while caring for employees the way 2023 Business of the Year Voyage Blue Travel does?

What kind of BPW member-run business do you want to have, or have more of, in our community?

Nominate a Business of the Year here.

But think quick, because the nominations are due next Thursday  September 19! We’ll celebrate all nominees on our website, and announce the awardees during our October 16 evening event.

Warm regards, 

Jill

Jill Kuehnert

Upper Keys BPW President

‪(305) 767-3928‬


Upcoming Local Events

11 am-2 pm @ Safe Harbor Angler House Marina (MM 80.5)

Let's celebrate National Women's Friendship Day with our second annual Sunday BYO brunch and pool party! 

    Get all the details here

    ~~~~~~~

    11:30 a.m.- 1 pm @ Reefhouse Resort Conference Center

    Whether you're looking to connect personally or professionally, join us for facilitated 1:1 chats with BPW members and guests. It's one of our most popular events of the year!

    No walk-ins for this event, so be sure to sign up in advance.

      Register here

      ~~~~~~~

      Thurs, October 10 - Upper Keys Candidate Forum

      5:30-8:30 pm @ Murray Nelson Government Center

      Be an informed voter! Join Upper Keys BPW, Island of Key Largo Federation of Homeowner Associations, League of Women Voters of the Upper Keys, and Tavernier Community Association as together we host the 2024 Upper Keys Candidate Forum. In preparation for the November 5 election, local candidates will answer candidate-specific questions prepared by the event committee.

      Learn more here

      Candidates interested in participating should send an email to: upperkeyscandidateforum@gmail.com

      ~~~~~~~

      Save the date!
      Wed, October 16 - "Celebration of Working Women"

      6-8 pm @ Venue TBD

      In recognition of National Business Women's Week, we'll gather for a festive evening to honor this year's Woman of the Year and Business of the Year, and announce our fall scholarship recipients. You won't want to miss it!

      Look for more details in your inbox soon. 

      Reminder to members:
      Submit your nominations now!

      ~~~~~~~

      In case you missed it...

      On August 21, Upper Keys BPW hosted a drop-in happy hour at Skipper's Dockside where members and guests greatly enjoyed the chance to connect and engage in casual conversation

      BPW mixer

      Click here to see more photos.

      Upcoming BPW Florida Events

      6 pm, via Zoom 

      Local BPW member Cassandra Clark, owner of Jellyfish Daydreams, is one of several BPW members from across the state who will share their lessons learned from starting a new business in this virtual panel discussion.
      Tune in tonight at 6!

      ~~~~~~~

      8 am, via Zoom 

      Here's your chance to connect with BPW members from across the state! No agenda, just a casual chat amongst BPW friends to start your day... plus a brief lesson on how to update your member profile on the state website.

      Register here

      ~~~~~~~

      Opportunities

      Last call for fall scholarship applications!

      Application deadline: September 15

      In just a few days, we'll be closing the application window for our fall Adult Women's Scholarships. Please help us spread the word to the working women in our community by forwarding this link:

      UpperKeysBPW.org/Scholarship-Application

      Our Adult Women's Scholarship Program grants individual scholarships of up to $1500 to help cover course fees and materials required for professional certifications, CEU credits, training classes and higher education degrees. To qualify, 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.

      Scholarships to be awarded in October. Learn more here.

      ~~~~~~~~~

      Help rebuild the Domestic Abuse Shelter

      Will YOU be the one to help us over the 7K 'hump'?

      Earlier this year, Upper Keys BPW launched "Give Hope a Home," a campaign to raise $10,000 for a much-needed domestic abuse shelter to replace the one destroyed by Hurricane Irma in 2017. These funds will be used to create a Business Center at the new DAS shelter that will be equipped with computers, internet access and supplies to help survivors find jobs, housing and more.

      So far we've raised $6,925 (amazing, right?!)... but recently, donations have stalled! Just $75 will get us over the $7,000 milestone. Can you help?

      Click here to donate

      ~~~~~~~~~

      New to BPW?
      Join a committee and see what we're all about!

      If you would like to get more involved with Upper Keys BPW, consider joining a committee. 

      It's a wonderful way to meet other members, contribute to the community and make the most of your membership. 

      Click here to learn more about BPW committees, including responsibilities and time commitments. 

      And if you would like to learn more about what we do and how we do it before jumping in, consider attending an upcoming Board meeting. For a board meeting schedule, send us an email at bpwupperkeys@gmail.com.

      ~~~~~~~~~

      Send an email blast to 450+ local residents

      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 are as follows:

      $20 - Members 

      $35 - Non-members

      Purchase your ad in our online store to get the process started. 

      $100 - Political candidates (limited dates available, contact BPWUpperKeys@gmail.com for more information)

      ~~~~~~~~~

      To learn more about any of these opportunities, send an email to BPWUpperKeys@gmail.com or contact one of our Board Members directly.

      Member News 

      Atta Girls!

      Suzi Youngberg has been named Incoming President of the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce. She will take the reins on January 1. Long-term President Elizabeth Moscynski will be retiring on December 31. Congratulations, Elizabeth, and "atta girl," Suzi! 

      Mary Houston and Violet Wahba were nominated to participate in the Good Health Clinic's 2024 Big Kahuna Fundraising Contest!

      ~~~~~~~~


      Renewing Members in August 2024

      Glad you're still with us!

      • Gina Boilini, member since 2009
      • Cassandra Clark, member since 2022
      • Danya Herzberg, member since 2018
      • Brittany Snyder, member since 2021
      • Theresa Sutter, member since 2013

      New & Returning Members in August 2024

      Welcome, we can't wait to get to know you!

      • Kathryn Hoff, NSI Insurance Group

      • Carolyn Salvador, Momentum/Hudson Ferris

      • Irevi Troncoso, New York Life

      • Melody TuschelMonroe County Solid Waste

      ~~~~~~~~

      Newsletter Archive

      Access past issues in our Upper Keys BPW Newsletter Archive.


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