BPW/USA Headquarters News -- July 2008

Vote for BPW/USA: A Resolution

In an effort to inspire members to rally and take action so that BPW/USA can continue the work it is best equipped to do, to achieve equity for all women in the workplace through advocacy, education and information, a non-policy resolution was brought forth to the membership and was subsequently passed at National Conference. The rationale of the resolution: members are called upon to recognize the urgency of the BPW/USA’s future and are asked to take action now by pledging their support.

 In addition, both the leadership and members personally re-committed to the mission by signing a pledge. The pledge asked that members re-commit to the mission immediately with three steps:

1.      Renew membership early by October 1st and promote e-membership

2.      Encourage workingwomen to subscribe to Friends of BPW/USA e-subscription to educate them on our work and mission

3.      Commit to financially support the organization and its mission by Dec. 31^st

 During the Business Session, the pledge generated over $18,000 in contributions from members who chose to exercise their commitment through financial support. The final resolution as well as the pledge form will be available online by August 8.

 Stay tuned for more information on the Vote For BPW/USA campaign. This is the most important vote for workingwomen that you will make!

Membership Services & Activities

 National Conference Rousing Success

Nearly 400 BPW/USA members and other workingwomen advocates gathered in Atlanta, GA July 23 -26, 2008 for the Business and Professional Women/USA (BPW/USA) National Conference. During their time in Atlanta attendees gained practical knowledge at professional development workshops and plenary sessions, networked and heard from Presidential candidate surrogates on issues affecting workingwomen and their families. 

 Resilience expert and motivational speaker Anne Barab, kicked off the opening plenary session on Wednesday, July 23 with her presentation, Live Juicy! How To Be A Resilient Leader.  She inspired attendees to embrace change, look inward for inspiration, manage mindset and expectations, and maintain a positive attitude.

On Thursday morning, there was a Presidential Candidates Forum with a welcome from Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin.   Carly Fiorina, representing the Republican candidate Senator John McCain and Retired Lt. Gen. Claudia Kennedy representing the Democratic candidate Senator Barack Obama addressed the candidate’s positions on issues of importance to workingwomen and their families. The candidate surrogates were asked to explain the candidate’s positions on pay equity, work-life balance and the Equal Rights Amendment by BPW/USA members in the audience. The Presidential Forum gained some media attention including CNN, two Atlanta TV stations and WABE the Public Broadcasting Station. 

The Friday morning plenary session featured The Legacies Forum sponsored by the Global Summit of Women and led by nationally noted commentator and woman leader, Irene Natividad.  Panelists will included: BPW/USA Member Stephanie Dawkins, Senior Vice President for AB Volvo and BPW Foundation Trustee; Gay Warren Gaddis, President and CEO, T3 (The Think Tank), Mary McDaniel, Fedex Vice President, Material and Corporate Sourcing,  Margaretta Noonan, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, Hudson Group,

Concurrent workshops ran throughout the conference with members choosing between tracks on Discovering the Leader in You, Mastering Work/Life and Uniting Our Voices.  Among the highlights were Lilly Ledbetter’s, touching personal story of pay discrimination at a tire plant in Alabama and how she has unwittingly become the new face of pay equity and long time equal rights advocate U.S. Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) discussing our success so far and the enormous amount of work yet to be done.

Policy Watch

BPW/USA Meets With Obama

On Tuesday July 29, BPW/USA CEO Deborah Frett met with Democratic Presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama in Washington, DC.  Ms. Frett was one of thirty women leaders invited to a small strategy meeting with Senator Obama to discuss issues of importance to women and families.  In the meeting, Senator Obama spoke about the declining economy and its disproportionate impact on working women, his support for expanding the Family Medical Leave Act, the importance of the election on the future of the Supreme Court, and his opposition to discrimination in the workplace.  Senator Obama opened the session remarking that this is a new generation of Americans getting involved not only in this election but in the way government works. He also spoke about the strong women in his life and stressed his strong support for pay equity.  Ms. Frett spoke about the unique BPW/USA program that supports women veterans, noting that women vets do not experience pay inequity until they transition into civilian life.  She also noted BPW Foundation’s research on women veterans in the workplace.  Ms. Frett said she would be remiss if she didn’t ask the number one question that BPW/USA members posed at the Presidential Candidate Forum. She asked the Senator if he could investigate why the Democrats had dropped support of the Equal Rights Amendment from their Platform and how it might be reinstated.  He said he understood the concern and gave Debbie his platform staff contact information and urged her to get in touch with the person and present BPW/USA's veiws. BPW/USA’s inclusion in this impressive group of women leaders reinforces the important role BPW/USA continues to play in the policy arena. 

47% of BPW/USA Members Would Vote for Obama

The results of a June 2008 survey of BPW/USA members presidential preference was released at the BPW/PAC Breakfast during BPW/USA National Conference in Atlanta last week. 

Of those responding 47% of BPW/USA members said they would vote for Senator Obama, 33% stated they would vote for Senator McCain, 15% were undecided and 2% said they are going to stay home this year.  In comparison, the latest Gallup Poll Daily tracking updates shows the presidential race is even closer, with Barack Obama holding a slight advantage over John McCain, 45% to 43%.

The survey was taken in June before the end of the primary season, so BPW/USA members were also asked how they would vote if the race were between Hillary Clinton and John McCain.  On that question, 57% of the members said they would vote for Hillary Clinton and 27% for John McCain.  Read the press release about the Presidential Poll.

Foundation Activities

BPW Foundation’s -- Women’s Advancement Luncheon

BPW Foundation would like to thank BPW/USA for letting us showcase our past year’s achievements during its National Conference in Atlanta last week.  During the Women’s Advancement luncheon, Chair Roslyn Ridgeway, shared highlights of the year including the National Employer Summit, the release of a young careerist-focused issue paper, and going Women Veterans Research.

The keynote speaker was also a nod to our relationship with BPW/USA, as well as our focus on young careerists and women veterans.  Jennifer JM Salisbury was this year’s Young Careerist representative from BPW/Hawaii.  Jennifer is also retired from the Navy, a nuclear engineer, author and business owner.  Sharing stories from her Navy days, as well as her tough times transitioning out of the military, Jennifer noted numerous times how she wished she knew about BPW/USA’s Women Joining Forces program and the BPW Foundation research when she was entering civilian life.  BPW Foundation would like to thank Jennifer for her deeply emotional stories and for reasserting the relevance of BPW Foundation and BPW/USA. 

A Blueprint for Creating Innovative Workplaces

BPW Foundation’s latest publication, Successful Workplaces Digest, is the perfect tool for HR professionals, workforce specialists and for those interested in workingwomen issues.  The Digest will show you how to enact practical strategies that will strengthen your organization as well as increase employee satisfaction.   

This go-to-guide features a variety of practices, including: Customized Employment, Flexible Schedules, Workplace Wellness, Diversity Initiatives, Work-Life Navigation, Technology Solutions.

Featured Contributors: AARP / Accenture / Batteries Plus / Capital One / Deloitte / Dept. of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy / Ernst & Young / The New York Times Company / Points of Light Foundation / Sprint / Verizon

To Order:

$25 (+$5 S&H) / Bulk Orders Available

www.bpwfoundation.org or digest@bpwfoundation.org 
A publication of Business and Professional Women’s Foundation

Training and Career Development              

How to Advance Your Career

This BPW/USA Webinar on August 21, 2008 at 1:30 – 2:30 pm ESt, will provide an overview of issues, concerns, and practical tips related to career advancement. The final half hour will be devoted to a Q&A session to facilitate the exchange of ideas and advice among the panelist and participants.  Helen Cruz, Professor at Pace University will be the presenter and moderator.   BPW/USA Webinars are only open to members and at no cost.  Don’t miss this exciting session.  Sign up online today.     

Rollout Of New Id Materials

Planning has begun for the rollout of the new Individual Development Course materials for the recertification of the ID Trainers/Facilitators. 

 Trainers/Facilitators must be re-certified in order to use the new materials.   The Individual Development Committee is considering using webinar technology for the recertification process and has identified two possible dates -- Tuesday August 26 or Thursday August 28 at 8:30pm EDT.

 The Committee is interested in accessing the number of current Trainers/Facilitators who are interested in using the webinar format for recertification.

 If you are interested in this option, email the following information to Grace Emery 2008-09 ID Chair at gemery49@yahoo.com: Your name and state, original date certified, dates you could attend and your preferred date.  Please let Grace know next week so final plans can be made. 

 
Local Organization Successfully Utilizes ID Program

BPW/St. Petersburg-Pinellas, FL is holding its annual two day leadership summit using the BPW/USA Individual Development program to help women meet their personal and professional goals.  The session is open to the public and has gotten some excellent media coverage.  Congratulations to St. Petersburg-Pinellas for aggressively promoting and using the ID program.  Read an article about the program online. 

 Affiliates and Partnerships

 Thanks to Our Conference Sponsors

National Conference was greatly enhanced by the support of our sponsors and partners.  We would like to thank the following organizations and companies for providing funding, materials, programs and displays at the National Conference.

·         BMW, GEICO, AARP, Federated Department Stores, Americans for Secure Retirement, BPW Foundation, Lifetime Television and The American Heart Association were National Conference sponsors.

·         GEICO launched its new affiliate relationship with BPW/USA at National Conference.

·         Global Summit of Women sponsored the Legacy Forum during Friday’s plenary session.

New GEICO Relationship Benefits BPW/USA Members

BPW/USA’s new partnership with GEICO was kicked-off at National Conference.  BPW//USA members can now saving money on their insurance and add value to their personal life, as well.

Through an affinity partnership negotiated by BPW/USA, GEICO can provide members with quality auto insurance at a special 8% discount in most states. GEICO can also help with homeowner’s, renter’s, motorcycle, ATV and boat insurance.  Compare benefits and get the best GEICO rate online at geico.com or by calling GEICO at 1-800-368-2734. It takes just minutes to see why it pays to be a member of BPW/USA.

 To review all of the BPW/USA affinity programs check the BPW/USA Affinity Program page on the website.

 Study Finds Most Retirement Funds Won’t Last a Lifetime

A recent study done by Ernst & Young for Americans for Secure Retirement found that most middle class retirees will out live their savings.  In addition, the study found that most middle income Americans entering retirement today will need to reduce their expenses by at least 24 percent if they want their retirement funds to last until the end of their lives.  BPW/USA is a member of the Americans for Secure Retirement coalition and CEO Debbie Frett was quoted in the press release about the study.  You can read both the press release online and the report, Retirement Vulnerabilities of New Retirees online.

 COMING SOON: University Women's Studies Program Directory

Over 30 university women's studies departments have supported BPW by sharing information on BPW/USA membership, BPW Foundation programs, and upcoming events with their faculty and students, and now, we will be sharing their program information with you!  Established as the first organization to focus on issues or workingwomen, BPW/USA is historically a leader in grassroots activism, policy influence, and advocacy.  You can learn the behind-the-scenes details and educational content of women's studies through the graduate, undergraduate, and certificate programs contained in our exclusive directory.  Stay tuned!

Visibility Activities

 Frett Named Women’s Hall of Fame Judge

Deborah L. Frett, BPW/USA and BPW Foundation CEO, has been invited once again to serve on the National Judges Panel for the National Women’s Hall of Fame.  Judges perform the critical role of selecting the Inductees who will be named to the Hall of Fame at ceremonies October 10 - 11, 2008.   The 226 women inducted into the Hall of Fame during the last 39 years are outstanding individual who created economic, social, scientific, political, educational or cultural change that has, or will, favorably affect future generations.  Learn more about the Hall of Fame by visiting its website.

 BPW/USA Presidential Forum Coverage

The Presidential Forum at National Conference was covered by WABE the Public Broadcasting Station in Atlanta. 

 BPW/USA Spokesperson Quoted in Article

A BPW/USA spokesperson was quoted in an article reporting on a study in the June issue of the American Sociological Review that found that less than 8 percent of professional women born since 1956 have left the workforce for a year or more during their prime childbearing years.  This information strongly contradicts reasons previously given that women are opting out of the workforce for motherhood.  “Generation X and late baby boomer women are still working less than their male counterparts, but they are working more than their previous cohorts,” says Princeton University researcher Christine Percheski, who conducted the study. Read the full article in Workforce Management. 

Congratulations from HQ to BPW/USA Members in the News

·          Electra Alessio, a member of BPW/Kingston Massachusetts since 1978, was featured in the Seacoastonline.com.  The article recounted her long commitment to helping other workingwomen and the challenges she faced as a woman in her own career.  

·          The Standardspeaker.com reported that Michelle Jordan, President of BPW/Tamaqua, PA, was attending the BPW/USA National Conference and would represent her state in the Individual Development speak-off. 

·          Glenda DeShazo’s election as BPW/USA Area 7 National Representative for a two-year term was covered in the Ada Evening News.

·          Ice cream maker and BPW/Bessemer, AL member Syble Ray Lamons was featured in an article the Birmingham News.

Communications

 Press Releases Issued

During the month of July the following press releases were issued by BPW/USA. 

·          Working Women Favor Obama Over McCain 47% to 33% in Survey

·          Plaintiff in Supreme Court Pay Discrimination Case to Address Working Women in Atlanta

·          Working Women and Advocates Convene in Atlanta

·          GEICO Offers Savings Opportunities for BPW/USA

Governance

 New BPW/USA Leadership Installed

On Saturday, July 26, BPW/USA installed the new officers for the 2008-09 year.  Congratulations to President Diane Polagin, Vice President Susan Parsons Reed, Secretary Sandi Haase and Treasurer Tina L. Garner. 

Congratulations also to the newly elected Area Representatives who will serve on the BPW/USA Board of Directors.

BPW/USA thanks each of these women who have made the commitment to serve the organization and lead us into the future. 

Of Interest

 Equal Opportunity Job Losses

Last week The Joint Economic Committee released a report, Equality in Job Losses, which found that the current economic downturn threatens women’s employment more than ever before. The report requested by Vice Chair Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), states that in the last decade women not only lost jobs, but also have not see their employment rates recover to their pre-recession peak. The report also reinforced information looked at by other researchers that women were not leaving the work force to take care of their children but because of a declining economy, outsourcing and inadequate wages.  Unlike in decades past, families can no longer rely on women’s employment to help boost family income during a downturn. The report received wide coverage in newspapers on television. The full text of the report can be found on the Joint Economic Committee website and you can read the July 22, New York Times’ article online.

Melanoma Rates Increase Among Young Women

According to a new study by the National Cancer Institute's Division of Cancer Epidemiology and reported on in HealthDay News melanoma rates are soaring among young women but not young men.  The study found a 50 percent increase in the annual incidence of melanoma among young adult Caucasian women between 1980 and 2004.  Young women are encouraged to wear protective clothing and sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.  Read the full article online at HealthDay News.

Military’s Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Rule, Hits Women Hardest

According to an article by Women’s E News, the military disproportionately discharges women under its policy banning homosexuals from service. In fiscal 2006, women made up 17 percent of the Army but 35 percent of discharges under the "don't ask" law. One year later, women were 15 percent of the Army, yet discharges of women increased to 45 percent of the total.  Air Force statistics are much the same. Statistics were not available for other branches of the military.  Read the whole article including personal experiences from current and former female members of the military online. 

Women Still Under-represented on TV

Media Matters released “Gender And Ethnic Diversity in Prime-Time Cable News,” a follow up to last year’s report, “Locked Out: The Lack of Gender and Ethnic Diversity on Cable News Continues”.   Here are the follow key findings:

·          As of 2006, women make up 50.6 percent of the U.S. population; but, they made up only 33.5 percent of guests on prime time cable news shows.

·          Women of all ethnicities were underrepresented when compared to their male counterparts. In the month examined, 460 guests were white women compared to 960 guests that were white men; 76 guests were black women compared to 119 guests that were black men; 21 guests were Latino women compared to 25 guests that were Latino men; 6 guests were Asian women compared to 13 guests that were Asian men; and 1 guest was a Middle Eastern woman compared to 3 guests that were Middle Eastern men.

·          Of the prime time cable news shows studied, only two of the 12 hosts are female.