December Reflection

As the year is coming to an end, the Lifelong Leadership & Learning (L3) Committee invites all NFBPWC members and friends into a moment of reflection, gratitude, and forward vision. This season reminds us to pause, celebrate all that we’ve accomplished, and anticipate the impact we are preparing to create.

Celebrating our Growth & our Community

This year, L3 delivered leadership trainings, skill-building workshops, and intergenerational conversations that strengthened confidence,

reinforced capability, and built connections nationally and internationally. We honor every woman who showed up to learn, lead, and support our collective growth. Your participation and feedback motivate us to continue the work within our committee.

Anticipate A Bold 2026 Ahead

The year ahead will bring new leadership modules, expanded mentorship opportunities, interactive learning circles and deeper collaboration across committees, clubs, federations, and affiliates, as well as other leadership and learning organizations.

L3 remains committed to equipping women at every stage of their journey with tools to rise, lead, and create lasting impact.

A Season of Purpose

As we celebrate the progress made, we also anticipate the future we will step into together, carrying forward the lessons, momentum, and shared purpose that have shaped our journey this year.

May the holidays bring you gratitude, clarity, and renewed purpose — and may 2026 find each of us ready to grow and for more information about the L3 program, visit the NFBPWC website or email L3chair@nfbpwc.org

Nicole Mpouli
Lifelong Leadership & Learning Chair
2025-2026

L3 Salutes Nancy Werner

Our national president calls her “Sparkles”. If you know Nancy, you will understand why.

The Lifelong Leadership & Learning (L3) Committee is proud to highlight one of NFBPWC’s most dedicated and longstanding members, Nancy Werner, a woman whose commitment to service, education, and advocacy embodies the spirit of our organization.

Nancy’s BPW journey began at a very young age, and she’s been a member for 54 years!

Her early passion for empowering women evolved alongside a fulfilling 35-year career in education, where she influenced generations of learners with her love of knowledge and her deep belief in opportunity.

In 2018, Nancy transitioned into her family’s business, Ironton Telephone/ Global Company, where she serves as the board’s recording secretary and treasurer. Her leadership, attention to detail, and steady presence continue to strengthen the foundation of the company, just as they do within BPW.

Her contributions to NFBPWC are both extensive and inspiring. Nancy served as NFBPWC Vice President of Advocacy (2018 –2020), championing policy awareness, civic engagement, and the advancement of women’s rights. She is also a charter member of the PA Affiliate Chapter, established in 2012, where she continues to serve today as recording secretary.

Most importantly to us, Nancy joined the Individual Development program in 2005 which evolved into what we know today as the L3 program. Her commitment to her local group and to national initiatives reflects a deep passion for service that spans decades.

Beyond her professional achievements, Nancy’s life is rooted in family. She has been married to her husband Fred for 54 years, and together they are the proud parents of two children who now reside in Massachusetts with their five grandchildren. Nancy makes her home in East Greenville, Pennsylvania, nestled northwest of Philadelphia — a community she loves and continues to support.

Nancy Werner represents the essence of BPW: leadership, longevity, purpose, and heart. We celebrate her dedication, her service, and the powerful example she sets for women across generations.

Nancy’s favorite color is pink. Could you tell?

Notes from the chair:

Happy Holidays to anyone who celebrates or does not celebrate. My gift to the committee members is another month of rest with committee business being handled via email. We will be starting our meetings back up in January, with a few surprises to come to make the committee even better. In the meantime, remember your own self-care and self-love by making your doctor’s appointments, getting some rest, and enjoying your time with your family and friends.

A Nutrient-Packed Spin on Basic Avocado Toast:

Want to add avocados to your diet, but tired of the same approach? This is a creamy, fiber-rich twist on your classic avocado toast.

The combination of avocado and beans delivers healthy monounsaturated fats and soluble fiber, two nutrients proven to help lower LDL cholesterol. It’s also satisfying, inexpensive, and easy to customize with ingredients you already have in your kitchen. Plus, even if you don’t like beans, it’s unlikely that you’ll taste them, meaning you get all the nutritional benefits hidden in an enjoyable meal.

Ingredients (serves 2):

• 1 ripe avocado

• ½ cup canned white beans (rinsed and drained)

• Juice of ½ lemon

• Pinch of salt and pepper

• Red pepper flakes, or a drizzle of olive oil

• 2 slices whole-grain or sourdough bread

• Optional: poached egg

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, mash the avocado and white beans together with lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth but slightly chunky.

2. Toast your bread until golden.

3. Spread the avocado-bean mixture on each slice.

4. Top with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes and a light drizzle of olive oil.

5. Optional: if you want a little extra protein, you can poach an egg and add to the top of the toast.

Source: https://tinyurl.com/22zemjeh

“Saving medicine to save lives”

Each year, $11 billion worth of unopened, unexpired prescription medication is thrown away — but one organization is working to redistribute it to low-income communities in the US instead. Sirum, a nonprofit social enterprise, makes individuals and organizations aware of what they can donate and disperses unused medicine to those who need it most. “Getting medications to the millions of people who need it to live a healthy life, saving medicine to save lives — that is something we can do today,” said co-founder Kiah Williams in a 2020 TEDTalk video.

Sources:

https://tinyurl.com/mrx83re5

https://tinyurl.com/ycxcf7b4

Other articles related to the theme of Celebrate and Anticipate:

Guilty of Ageism Toward Yourself? Why You Should Stop Saying “I’m Too Old” https://tinyurl.com/4y84ft4n

Mental health, money, and modern life: The pressures squeezing women and how they're re-thinking well-being https:// tinyurl.com/yjsz7th5

Why it's good to be nostalgic: Study suggests you may have more close friends https://www.sciencedaily.com/ releases/2025/03/250313130819.htm

Susan Oser
Health Chair

The theme this month is Celebrate and Anticipate. This pairing honors what has been, while looking forward to what will be.

So, I would like to Celebrate all of those you supported our Absent Tea Fundraiser. Your support to help continue the work of our organization is greatly appreciated. We don’t have the final figures as to how much was raised, but I should be able to report it next month. And if you did not have the opportunity to make a donation during the event, we will happily accept your donation at any time.

This is the first time we have done this, and it was wonderful to see the support. We also had a lovely evening get-together. We discussed tea, wine, and various other things.

I would also like to Anticipate looking forward to what we will accomplish next year. We are working on developing next year’s budget for presentation at the January 2026 Board of Directors meeting.

But we also want to Anticipate all the victories that will move us forward as am organization next year and beyond.

Happy holidays to all!

Sandy Thompson
Finance Chair

As 2025 Draws to a Close...

Let us take a moment to celebrate our accomplishments, however small they may seem. In a year marked by both challenge and change, we have stood together. Each step forward has contributed to the strength and spirit of NFBPWC. As we look ahead, may we carry this momentum into 2026 with renewed purpose and unwavering hope. A brighter future is not only possible, it is already taking shape through our collective action.

Angie Jackson-Wilson
Bylaws and Resolutions Chair

Engage with NFBPWC on Social Media

Organization Page:   https://www.facebook.com/NatlFedBPWC/

Group Page: https://www.facebook.com/NatlFedBPWC/

Organization Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nfbpwc

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2l_ciIxLyvbu1dbBOsV9Tg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nfbpwc_usa/

Leadership & the Value of Competitive Elections

Leadership within NFBPWC isn’t reserved for the loudest voice in the room, it’s built by those willing to serve, listen, and shape the future. Running for a leadership position is more than a personal milestone; it’s a commitment to our mission, a chance to influence direction, and a powerful way to ensure that diverse voices are heard at every level of our organization.

Whether you're a seasoned member or just beginning your professional journey, stepping into leadership, or nominating someone who inspires you, is a vital act of advocacy. The nomination process is straightforward but deeply meaningful. Members may nominate others or self- nominate by submitting a name, a brief statement of qualifications, and a willingness to serve. Transparency is key: nominations are shared openly and have clear deadlines and criteria, so every candidate has equal footing.

Competitive elections are not about rivalry, they’re about choice. They energize our Federation, spark dialogue, and invite fresh perspectives. When multiple candidates run, members are empowered   to evaluate platforms, ask questions, and vote with

intention. This process fosters accountability, encourages innovation, and ensures that leadership reflects the evolving needs of our community.

Too often, potential leaders hesitate, waiting to be tapped on the shoulder or not wanting to run against a colleague or friend. Let’s change that. Let’s normalize self- nomination, celebrate courage, and create a culture where running for office is seen as an act of service, not self- promotion. Competitive elections should be the norm, not the exception, because when more people run, more people engage, and NFBPWC thrives. 

So, if you’ve ever thought, “Maybe I could…” this is your sign: You absolutely can. And your voice matters.

ANGIE JACKSON-WILSON
Nominations Chair
2024-2026

As we are winding down the year, and the holidays are starting, the Health Committee is going to

 reduce our own stress and focus on our webpage and finish our project for the year. At the time of this writing, we are discussing rescheduling or even cancelling the last two meetings of the year for this reason. If you are a part of the committee, you will receive updates as they happen.

Food for Thought:

This is a simple graph from the Vulnerability presentation that Susan Oser gave at the Virtual Health Fair. And it is something that we need to take to heart since the holidays can be a stressful time for a lot of people.

Remember that sometimes you don’t have to meet with others during the holidays. Most people use that time to relax and take care of themselves.

November is:

• American Diabetes Month
• Epilepsy Awareness Month - https:// tinyurl.com/393b4u4y
• Hepatitis C (HCV) Education,
•  Awareness and Screening Month
• Lung Cancer Awareness Month
• National Alzheimer's Disease Month
• National COPD Month - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COPD_Awareness_Month
• National Healthy Skin Month - https:// tinyurl.com/yb62k6pj
• National Long-term Care Awareness Month
• Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month - https://pancreatic.org/november/

Here are some other articles related to the theme of Allies in Action

• Meet the Medical Debt Charity Where Your Donation Gets Multiplied by 100 - https://tinyurl.com/3w7vpwd4
• History of Planned Parenthood - https://www.plannedparenthood.org/ about-us/who-we-are/our-history
• Bipartisan bill seeks to reinstate national suicide hotline for LGBTQ+ youth - https://19thnews.org/2025/09/lgbtq-youth-suicide-hotline-bill/

You Are Cordially Invited to Attend, or Not Attend, the ABSENT-TEA Fundraiser

Hosted by the National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs

Who doesn't love fancy finger foods accompanied by tea in China cups (pinkies up) and all the formality of a traditional high tea? Only, in this instance, there's no need for you to purchase a new outfit, travel to a destination, tip the valet, or any of the other added expenses when attending an event, because this is an ABSENT-TEA.

By purchasing tickets, you have the honor of supporting the National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs (NFBPWC) from the comfort of your home! We have taken all the hassle out of coming (or not) to our ABSENT-TEA.

However, we will be hosting a Friday evening get-together on November 21, 2025, at 8 pm EDT. You can bring your favorite teacup and tea or another beverage of your choice and enjoy the company of your BPW sisters.

NFBPWC is raising funds to help support our officers so they can represent us at various events to further the business of our Federation, along with other vital projects.

Select how many tickets you and your group need. Then choose the type of tickets you want.

• Just My Cup tickets are $20 each.
• Brew and Bloom tickets are $50.
• The Queen's Cup tickets are$100.
• The Garden Table tickets are $200 each.
• The Sparkling Steep Society tickets are $300.
• Credit or debit card? Visit our website and click the "Donate Now" button.
•  Zelle? Send payment to Treasurer@nfbpwc.org
• Check? Make it out to NFBPWC, write ABSENT-TEA in the memo, and mail it to: Jo Naylorm392 Springhouse Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406.

Want to help the NFBPWC with another amount? Any and all donations are greatly appreciated!!

Here's how to pay:

• Credit or debit card? Visit our website and click the "Donate Now" button.
• Zelle? Send payment to Treasurer@nfbpwc.org
• Check? Make it out to NFBPWC, write ABSENT-TEA in the memo, and mail it to: Jo Naylor 392 Springhouse Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406.

Thank you for your support.

SANDY THOMPSON
FINANCE CHAIR NFBPWC

On October 22nd, we had an engaging and informative program on Grant Writing including a lively discussion with three women who write and distribute grants. Our speakers included Renne Johnson, president of Third Wheel Cause Consulting; Edna Karinski, CEO Community Foundation of the Verdugos; and Kelly Klug, Director of Grants Development for Central Carolina Community College.

They were able to give us insight into how to start the process of writing a grant proposal and what you need to know and have before you submit one. They also provided several tips for grant writing.

They are willing to provide a more detailed Grant Writing 101 Course if people are interested. If you are, please email me directly.

DID YOU KNOW?

Before 1974, American women couldn’t open a bank account or get a credit card without a man’s signature. Financial independence wasn’t just rare — it was legally restricted.

So, in 1978, eight Colorado women — Carol Green, Judi Wagner, LaRae Orullian, Gail Schoettler, Wendy Davis, Joy Burns, Beverly Martinez, and Edna Mosely — decided to change that. Each contributed $1,000 to start something revolutionary: The Women’s Bank, built by and for women.

On opening day, lines wrapped around the block in downtown Denver. Women came to deposit their savings — and their faith— into an institution that finally saw them as equals. By nightfall, the bank had collected over $1 million in deposits.

The Women’s Bank wasn’t just a business. It was a declaration: that women didn’t need permission to own, build, or lead. Their courage didn’t just rewrite banking rules — it redefined what financial freedom could look like.

They didn’t ask for a seat at the table. They built their own vault.

PS: You are cordially Invited toAttend or Not Attend our Absent-Tea fundraiser. See next page for details!

Sandy Thompson

Finance Chair