Connecting, Uniting, Igniting: The Role of Bylaws in Equality’s Evolution

Fellow BPW Members,

As Chair of Bylaws and Resolutions, I see firsthand how structure fuels progress. Our bylaws aren’t simply pages in a binder—they’re the pulse of our purpose, connecting local voices, aligning national commitments, and empowering global change.

Historically, women were bound by procedures they never wrote. Exclusion wasn’t accidental, it was codified. But when trailblazers like Susan B. Anthony and Mary Church Terrell learned the rules, they reshaped the game. They turned bylaws into blueprints for justice and procedure into pathways for participation.

Today, BPW continues that legacy. At the local level, we craft policies that welcome every member. Nationally, we uphold standards that ensure fairness and transparency. Globally, the structured approach sets a precedent for inclusion and leadership that crosses borders.

Every motion passed, every amendment proposed, is part of a greater momentum. We are not just refining language—we are redefining leadership. Our bylaws are the scaffolding beneath our slogan. They make it possible to connect deeply, unite purposefully, and ignite change far beyond our immediate reach.

As we move forward in this biennium, let’s remember structure amplifies spirit. And with each revision, we don’t just govern, we grow.

In sisterhood and strategy,

Angie Jackson-Wilson

NFBPWC Bylaws and Resolution Chair

2024-2026