Policy & Action Conference and Interim Board Recap 

The 2006 BPW/USA Policy & Action Conference was held in Washington, DC February 2-4.  The theme was Building Powerful Women:  Changing Policies that Impact Workplaces. 

Over 200 women from states and territories converged on Capitol Hill following pre-lobby-visit training sessions.  Unseasonably warm weather and sunshine made it possible to have a panoramic photo taken of the attendees with the Capitol in the background. 

The Hart Senate Office Building hosted us for lunch and a presentation by Michigan’s Senator, Debbie Stabenow.  Senator Stabenow shared information on a bill she will be introducing on Valentine’s Day – dealing with women’s heart health education.  Panelists specializing in the three legislative focus issues supplied us with additional information before we lobbied our congressional leaders. Following lunch, Barb Henton, Gwen Hoople, and Trish Knight met with a number of congressional staffers and one congressman.  Several promised to follow-through with co-sponsorships of Johanna’s Law, as well as looking at the Retirement Security for Life Act, and The Healthy Families Act. 

Thursday evening provided fun and entertainment as noted political pollsters and authors, Celinda Lake and Kellyanne Conway, discussed their new book, “What Women Really Want” during the BPW/USA PAC fund-raising dinner.   

The BPW Foundation held its 50^th Anniversary breakfast celebration on Friday morning and kicked off a day of professional workshops focusing on changing policies that impact workplaces.  Shirley Zeller joined the group to work with the ERA Task Force in a presentation: “Where does the ERA fit with today’s Workingwomen Issues.”  Other workshop sessions attended by Carol Layman, Trish Knight, and Gwen Hoople included:  “Employer Recommendations for Policy Changes to Support the Creation of Successful Workplaces,” “The Impact of Supreme Court Changes for Workingwomen,”  “How Employers and Workingwomen Find Common Ground on Policy: Creating Win-Win Advocacy,” and “How Workingwomen can Become More Politically Engaged”.  Everyone felt the sessions provided good information and interaction between panelists and audience members. 

The Interim Board of Directors meeting was held on Saturday.  Several policy and procedure “housekeeping” recommendations were introduced, and, several were referred back to the bylaws committee for further work.  You will see those come to the floor in July at the national conference.  Reports were shared by state presidents and committee chairs. The energy and excitement of what is happening in BPW was evident. 

There is no way to explain in a report what you receive from attending a national event.  It is so much more than the meetings, meals, workshops, and debate over motions.  It is a renewal of spirit, of self, and of BPW.  It is a confirmation that we are not alone in the struggles we face as workingwomen, students, and retirees.  It is a sisterhood of women with passion to bring about justice and equality for themselves and their heirs.  It is about building relationships across the continent and into the territories.  It is something you just have to experience to understand.  We want you to be there with us…the next opportunity is in July at the national conference in Dallas.  Come and catch the spirit! 

Save the date:  July 19-22, 2006 at the Adams Mark Hotel in Dallas, Texas.  You’ll be glad you did.