What Do You Know About the United Nations’ Stance on Equality

UN support for the rights of women began with the organization's founding charter.

Among the purposes the UN declared in Article 1 of its charter is

“To achieve international co-operation … in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion.”

Find out more here https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/gender-equality.

I, Dr. Joanne Carfioli Naylor, CCC-SLP, the 2026-2028 Chair for the UN Committee, believe in this statement and the efforts that the United Nations has made on behalf of girls and women around the world. I am excited to step up to provide ongoing information to the members of NFBPWC regarding continuing efforts and future plans of the United Nations.

Boldly and Professionally Working,

Dr. Joanne Carfioli Naylor
Chair United nations
unchair@nfbpwc.org

I have just returned from the NFBPWC General Assembly IGNITE 2026 in Raleigh, NC, and I would like to congratulate President Barbara Bozeman and the organizing team. It was a wonderful event and I appreciate getting to meet members from across the country. Thank you for your hospitality and I hope you all enjoy a well-deserved rest after all your planning.

Congratulations also to President Barbara on her re-election and to the new Executive elected and installed. I am sure you were all IGNITED by the wonderful speakers and being together, and I wish you much success for 2026-2028.

By the time you read this, many in Canada will be getting ready to attend the BPW Canada Convention in Regina, Saskatchewan, August 13 – 16. It is another great opportunity to see members from across the country. BPW International VP Membership Francesca Burack, Young BPW Rep Izadora Letchacoski, and I look forward to seeing everyone.

Our NAC Conference (August 23 – 25) will also be here very soon! It is an exciting time for the North America and Caribbean region.

We have BPW members attending from 17 countries, including our International Executive members: President Diana Barragan, 1st VP UN Neelima Basnet, EFO Gudrun Jakobsdottir, RC Africa Bertiller Massawe, and RC Europe Anu Viks, Francesca, and Izadora. I look forward to welcoming you all to Niagara Falls, Canada.

The BPW Latin America Regional Conference is in Lima, Peru, October 16 – 17. Details are available on the website at Join the XI BPW Latin America Regional Conference in Lima - BPW International

The BPW Africa Regional Conference is in Lusaka, Zambia, November 7-9. More details will be provided when they are available.

The next BPW International Congress is in Fortaleza, Brazil, in November 2027. Diana will be doing a site visit of hotels this month, so watch for specific dates and the location coming soon.

I wish you a lovely summer as you relax and refresh.

Karin Gorgerat
Regional Coordinator
N. America and Caribbean Region BPW International
karin.gorgerat@bpw-international.org

Building Connections Across Borders

I am honored to begin serving as Co-Chair of the International Relations Standing Committee and look forward to working alongside our Chair and committee members as we continue to strengthen the international relationships that make BPW such a unique global organization.

One of the greatest strengths of NFBPWC is that we are part of an international network of women who bring different experiences, cultures, and expertise to common challenges. Every international meeting one of our members attends offers an opportunity not only to represent the United States, but also to learn from colleagues around the world and explore ways to work together.

Over the past year, I have been present at BPW gatherings in Munich, Cyprus, Malta, and Montreal, as a member of NFBPWC and as UN HQ representative. Looking ahead, I hope to continue supporting opportunities for engagement at future meetings, including Cameroon, Cyprus, Montreal, the BPW Africa Regional Conference in Zambia, and other international events as they arise.

What excites me most is the possibility of creating practical collaborations between clubs and federations. These partnerships need not be large to be meaningful. Sometimes they begin with a single conversation around a shared interest. For example, members of our New York Club are exploring opportunities after meeting with BPW Senegal to continue to exchange ideas on addressing period poverty—an issue that affects women and girls in many parts of the world.

Conversations such as these can become the foundation for lasting partnerships, shared learning, and collaborative action.

As I begin this new role, I look forward to working with our committee to encourage international engagement, strengthen relationships across BPW, and help connect members whose interests and expertise complement one another.

Every international connection enriches not only the individuals involved, but also our clubs and our organization as a whole.

BPW is an international community. By learning from one another and working together across borders, we strengthen our collective ability to support women locally, nationally, and globally.

Nermin K. Ahmad
Co-Chair International Relations
international@nfbpwc.org

From Local Leadership to Global Impact

I am deeply honored to have been selected to serve as Chair of the International Relations Standing Committee for the National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs. This opportunity is especially meaningful to me because my personal and professional journey has been shaped by relationships across countries, cultures, and communities.

As a woman of Cameroonian heritage and a BPW leader at the local, national, and international levels, I have witnessed what becomes possible when women connect beyond borders. Although our experiences may differ, we share many aspirations: access to education, economic opportunity, leadership, safety, dignity, and a meaningful voice in decisions affecting our lives.

Our vision for the next two years is to strengthen NFBPWC’s international presence, while making global engagement accessible and relevant to every member. International relations should connect global priorities to the work already happening in our clubs and communities.

The committee’s work will focus on:

• Building global awareness by educating members about BPW International, the United Nations, the Sustainable Development Goals, and international issues affecting women and girls
• Strengthening international partnerships with BPW clubs, federations, and other women-led organizations to promote cultural exchange, mentorship, shared learning, and collaborative programs.
• Expanding member participation and representation at international events, including the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), regional meetings, leadership summits, the BPW International Congress, and global advocacy initiatives.
• Turning relationships into collective action through programs supporting gender equality, education, decent work, health, economic empowerment, leadership, and sustainable partnerships.

International relations should serve as a bridge, connecting our members to new perspectives, our clubs to new partnerships, and NFBPWC to the global movement advancing women’s rights and opportunities.

For information please email international@nfbpwc.org.

I invite every member to be part of this journey by sharing international experiences, cultural knowledge, languages, partnerships, and ideas. Together we can strengthen NFBPWC’s global voice and help create a world in which women are not only included in progress but are actively defining and leading it.

The next two years offer us an opportunity to move from global awareness to meaningful engagement, and from connection to collective impact.

Join us, let’s build bridges… TOGETHER.

Nicole Mpouli
Chair International Relations
international@nfbpwc.org

I’ve very much enjoyed keeping information flowing regarding the Commission on the Status of Women over the past two years. In trying to keep you all informed, I’ve found myself learning a great deal.

I am pleased to share with you that for the 2026-2028 term, we (the Executive Committee) have invited Rosemary Enzer to chair the CSW Committee and she has accepted!

Rosemary is a long-time member of BPW and has served as a District President, President of the CBBPW Education Fund, and the State President for California BPW (2019-2020.) I’m sure we all bid her welcome and I will be looking forward to serving on her committee – and invite you all to do the same.

On August 26th, we celebrate Women’s Equality Day – which recognizes the passage of the 19th Amendment, securing most women’s right to vote in 1920. It was truly a defining moment in our nation’s history.

Now, more than 100 years later, we are still struggling with how we use that voice.

So, where does that align with the Commission on the Status of Women? Since 1946, the CSW has brought governments and civil society organizations together to examine this question: What still stands between women and real, full equality?

The Commission continues to shape conversations about opportunities in education, leadership, health, safety, and political participation for women and girls around the world. This is a part of it.

Women’s Equality Day reminds us where one nation’s journey accelerated. CSW reminds us that the journey continues around the globe – and we are a part of that journey still today.

As you reflect on Women’s Equality Day this month, consider this please: If the 19th Amendment opened the door, what are we doing today to make sure every woman has the opportunity to walk through it?

With greatest regards,
Barbara J. Bozeman
President, NFBPWC
2024-2028

Image From CSW70 Freedom For Empowerment Collaborative Event with BPW Canada.

YOUNG BPW NAC REGIONAL REP
Deanza L. Walwyn-Bowrin
deanzabowrin@gmail.com

United Nations
Unchair@nfbpwc.org

Check out the first edition of the BPW International Newsletter.

It launched in June as a quarterly designed to keep BPW members everywhere connected to information about what’s going on in different regions, international initiatives, advocacy, and more.

Click here or right-click on the cover image to read it.

Larisa B. Miller
Chair International Relations
international@nfbpwc.org

As reported from IFBPW to North America and the Caribbean Regional Meeting on May 18, 2026.

Click here to read the report.

It’s BPW Canada’s 50th and We’re All Invited

• Emerging Leaders (Under 35 / YBPW) Luncheon (Speaker – Wura Dasylva)
• Opening Reception: Bar Willow Eatery on Wascana Lake

Friday Highlights!

• Luncheon (Speaker – Darci Lang – Lead the 90%)
• Workshop (Growing Your Club - Erin Davis)
• Business sessions
• Evening Event: The Key to the City Adventure

Saturday Highlights!

• Luncheon (Women on Corporate Boards Panel)
• Elections and Speeches for 2026-2028 BPW Canada Board Members
• Business sessions
• Gala Dinner (Speaker – Lisa Peters)

• Key Topic Update: Reproductive Rights and Justice
• Key Topic Update: Women’s Empowerment
• Closing Pink Tea Luncheon (Women in Politics Panel)
• Business Sessions

Our early bird registration fee expires June 1st so register today! Here is the link: https://bpwcanada.com/convention-registration/

We have a hotel rate of $129 CDN at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel and Conference Centre. Register now here: https://bpwcanada.com/accommodation/

For more information about all our wonderful speakers, see: https://bpwcanada.com/convention-speakers-bios/