Upper Keys BPW Connection August 2025 |
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Our mission: to achieve equity for all working women through advocacy, education and connections
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Hi {Contact_First_Name},
I was asked recently by a new BPW member why I became president of Upper Keys BPW. I'll admit, my first answer was about the value I get personally from my involvement in the organization.
But that's not the answer she was looking for. What she really wanted to know was: What is it about the organization that motivates me to serve?
As I reflected on the question in the days that followed, I remembered: When I first visited the Upper Keys BPW website in late 2020, I was intrigued, but not enough to join that day. It wasn't until several visits later that I found the public policy platform -- and that's what finally inspired me to join.
In our daily drive to grow our businesses and careers, build our professional reputations, and strengthen our social connections, it's easy to focus on what's in it for us when joining an organization like BPW. But there's so much more to this organization than networking and socializing. We have a greater purpose that is just as important today as when BPW was formed more than 100 years ago: to empower working women personally, professionally and politically so they can achieve equity.
Some say women have already achieved workplace equity. We are free to pursue even the most male-dominated careers. The pay gap is narrowing, especially for younger women. And more than 40% of small businesses are woman-owned. All good news!
Yet a gap remains, not just in pay, but in representation at the highest levels of business and politics: While women comprise approximately half of the U.S. population, we make up only 28% of Congress and 11% of Fortune 500 CEOs. And more than a third of working women report having experienced sexual harassment during their careers - a number that doesn't seem to be budging.
On August 26, we will celebrate the 105th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote. Yes, we've come a long way since then. But we can't take our eyes off the ball just yet - we have more work to do to protect what we've gained and finish closing the gap. I want to be part of that.
There are many reasons I choose to give my time and energy to BPW. Empowering women to embrace their full potential, advocate for themselves and for all women, and reach confidently for what they want is an especially rewarding one.
Thoughts? I'd love to hear from you @bpwupperkeys@gmail.com.
With gratitude, |
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6-8 p.m. at
Snappers Turtle Club
139 Seaside Ave ~ Key Largo
Join us for an evening of networking and connecting with BPW members and guests.
NEW! Have a brief announcement or sentiment to share with the group? Bring a small cash donation to take part in 'Shares & Cares' and get your moment at the mic!
** ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED **
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Thank you to our event sponsor:
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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
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In case you missed it...
At our luncheon on July 16, an audience of 40+ BPW members and guests gave their rapt attention to speaker Maureen Dunleavy, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Regional Senior Vice President of the Guidance/Care Center by Westcare. Maureen shared insightful information and effective coping techniques for people experiencing anxiety, depression, grief and other mental health challenges. Click here to see more photos. |
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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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Promote your small business:
Co-sponsor our September
Speed Networking luncheon Just $100 for members/$125 for non-members |
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We have just one co-sponsor spot left for our popular Speed Networking luncheon on Wednesday, September 17.
As a co-sponsor, you'll get:
- Logo placement on our event page and all event announcements sent to our email list of 450+ members and Upper Keys residents, and in the monthly BPW newsletter that goes out prior to the event
- Mention in all BPW social media event pages and posts promoting the event (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn)
- One dedicated promotional e-mail to our list
- Opportunity to share samples or materials on a shared display table at the event
- One admission to the event
- Opportunity to speak to attendees during the event (optional, up to one minute)
The sponsorship fee is $100 for members and $125 for non-members. The first person to ask for the open spot gets it! To claim it, please send an email ASAP 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:
$20 - Members
$35 - 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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Fall scholarship application
window opens TOMORROW Help us spread the word! From August 15 to September 15, Upper Keys working women looking to boost their careers can apply for scholarships of up to $1500 through the Upper Keys BPW Adult Women's Scholarship Program. The funds can be used to cover expenses related to career training courses, professional certifications, CEU credits or college degree programs. To be eligible, 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. They must also be accepted or enrolled in an education or training program. The deadline to apply for Fall 2025 awards is September 15. For more information, visit UpperKeysBPW.org and click the 'Scholarships' link at the top of the page. Please share with local women you know who may be interested! |
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Atta Girls! - Danielle Jones recently completed the required 6,000 experience hours and passed the exam to become a Certified Financial Planner® (CFP) - congrats, Danielle!
- Mary Beth Harris has been elected sergeant at arms for the Upper Keys Rotarians - way to serve, Mary Beth!
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 July 2025
Glad you're still with us!
- Bonnie Barnes, member since 2021
- Mary Houston, member since 2020
- Barbara Overton, member since 2023
New Members Welcome! - Kara Jaeger, Reps & Relax Personal Training & Massage
- Tami Marano, Key Largo Yoga
- Hulya Okur, Oasis at the Keys Nursing & Rehab
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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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