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Wellness is about more than exercise and nutrition. It’s also about safety, stability, dignity, and opportunity. 

Below are three suggested reads for May that explore wellness for women through a global lens.

Gender-Differentiated and Age-Specific Risks of Heat Stress in a Warming World

This paper explores how heat disproportionately affects women, children, older adults and vulnerable communities. It highlights a wide range of concerns.

Gender-differentiated Heat Stress

The Immediate and Long-term Impact of the Military Escalation in the Middle East on Women and Girls

From displacement and disrupted health services to food insecurity and more, the report shows that conflict carries unique consequences for women’s wellness and security.

Impacts of Military Escalation in Middle East on Women and Girls

Delivering as One: United Nations System Progress on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (2019-2024)

Wellness for women can’t be separated from safety, dignity, and freedom from violence.

Ending VAWG (Violence Against Women and Girls)

Find more on these and other essential topics at the UN Women Digital Library: https://www.unwomen.org/en/publications

United Nations
Unchair@nfbpwc.org

Thanks to everyone who completed the BPW Listens – Your Voice Matters Survey.

Special thanks to our Ambassador, Sandy Thompson, who worked with all the NAC members to answer questions that came up during the process.

A significant amount of work goes into preparing the survey, including translating it into 14 languages so all our members could be heard.

Now comes the really hard, and fascinating, part – compiling all the results for presentation to the International Executive who will analyze them to determine next steps. After that, a report will be provided to the membership. Your patience as we proceed through this process is appreciated.

NAC Region hosted two webinars in April – Advocacy in Action #3 and Empowering BPW Leaders #2. A huge thank you to NAC Advocacy Coordinator Colleen Babiuk-Ilkiw, NAC Training Coordinator Sujata Tiwari, and all those who participated in these valuable webinars. There will be more webinars in the fall, so stay tuned for information and plan to join us.

Our NAC conference in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, is getting closer and I hope many of you have August 23 – 25, 2026 in your calendars.

We have amazing speakers to address our conference theme of Inspire, Innovate, Empower, Transform – Together we Shape a Sustainable Future including

Inspire - Danielle Hall, Head of Retail and Wealth Digital Investing, BMO

Inspire - Barbara Robinson, Norton Engineering

Empower - Lola Reid Allin

Transform - Dr. Nancy Taber, Brock University.

You can find more information about them and our other fantastic speakers at NAC Speakers Bios - BPW Canada

Everything you will need to know about the entire exciting event, including the link for our special hotel rates, which guarantee that each room has a view of either the US or Canadian side of Niagara Falls.

Our NAC Young BPW Rep Deanza is putting together a great Young BPW Symposium for August 23rd – and you don’t have to be a Young BPW-er to attend, so let’s make sure there is a huge presence to support her and the Young BPW members! More information on this event at NAC Programme - BPW Canada.

For more information on the conference, go to NAC 2026 Regional Conference - HOME - BPW Canada

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

Global Conflict, Local Consequences: Why NFBPWC Must Act Now

As International Liaison for NFBPWC, I have spent the past several months closely tracking geopolitical developments, particularly the escalating instability across the Middle East. While these conflicts may appear distant, their consequences are already moving through global systems with speed and precision.

The effects are not abstract. They are immediate, measurable, and increasingly personal.

It is a mistake to view global conflict as something that only affects foreign policy or defense strategy. The reality is far more direct. These disruptions are already shaping the cost of goods, the reliability of supply chains, the stability of energy markets, and the operating environment for women in business worldwide.

What we are witnessing is not a regional issue. It is a global economic shift in motion.

The most immediate impact is energy. As tensions rise in key oil-producing regions, markets react quickly. Even the perception of risk creates price volatility. That volatility moves through every layer of the economy. Transportation costs increase. Manufacturing becomes more expensive. Small businesses, many already operating on thin margins, feel the pressure first and most acutely.

Closely tied to energy is supply chain disruption. Shipping routes are being reassessed. Insurance costs for cargo are increasing. Delays are becoming more common as companies reroute to avoid risk zones.

This is not limited to large corporations. Women-owned businesses that rely on imported materials or global distribution networks are already experiencing longer lead times, higher costs, and reduced predictability.

There is also a human dimension that requires attention. Women in business across the Middle East are navigating an increasingly complex environment. In some areas, mobility is restricted. In others, access to capital is tightening. Business continuity is uncertain.

These are not isolated challenges. They affect partnerships, joint ventures, and the broader ecosystem that many of our members rely on for growth and collaboration.

For NFBPWC, this is not a distant issue to monitor. It is an immediate priority. The question is not whether these changes will affect our members. The question is how quickly we respond and how effectively we position ourselves.

This is where opportunity begins to emerge

Periods of disruption often force realignment. Supply chains shift. New partnerships are formed. Markets open in unexpected places.

For organizations that are paying attention, there is a chance to step into roles that did not exist before. This is particularly true for women leaders who are often more agile in adapting to change and more collaborative in building new networks.

We should be looking at near-term, actionable strategies.

• We can serve as a connector. NFBPWC has a global footprint. We are in a position to facilitate introductions between women-owned businesses seeking new suppliers, new markets, or new partners. That role becomes more valuable as traditional networks are disrupted.
• We can provide practical guidance. Many of our members are navigating these challenges without access to timely information. Curating insights on supply chain adjustments, cost management strategies, and alternative sourcing options can have immediate value.
• We can advocate. There is an opportunity to engage with local and regional businesses to align around shared goals, including resilience and sustainability. Encouraging businesses to publicly commit to supporting women-owned enterprises through simple, visible signals, creates both accountability and awareness.
• We can use this moment as a recruitment engine. Women are looking for support, information, and connection. If NFBPWC positions itself as a source of clarity and action during uncertainty, we will attract members who are seeking exactly that.

This is not about reacting to headlines. It is about understanding the structural shifts taking place beneath them. Energy volatility, supply chain realignment, and regional instability are not temporary disruptions. They are indicators of a broader transformation in how global business operates.

The organizations that succeed will be those that move early, think clearly, and act with intention.

NFBPWC has the network, the leadership, and the global reach to do exactly that. The opportunity is not simply to respond to change. It is to shape how our members navigate it and where they position themselves within it.

This moment demands focus. It demands coordination. And it demands that we recognize that what is happening across the world is already happening here.

All of this encourages us to reframe wellness in the context of what we are facing.

Wellness is not limited to physical health or personal balance

It is also preparation, awareness, and the ability to withstand disruption without losing momentum.

It is also financial stability, access to reliable information, and strong professional networks.

In periods of uncertainty, resilience becomes a form of wellness. The more prepared we are, the more control we retain over our decisions and outcomes.

Wellness is not just how you feel. It is how ready you are.

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

For information please email international@nfbpwc.org.

Global Goals Start with Local Impact

grand gestures. It can begin with something as simple as one person deciding to get involved by just raising their hand, sharing a skill, or helping someone else move forward. It can begin with local clubs creating welcoming spaces, offering professional development, and building friendships that strengthen confidence and resilience.

Each year, the Commission on the Status of Women brings together voices from around the world to address the challenges and opportunities facing women and girls around the world.

It is a place where ideas are shared, progress is measured, and future goals are shaped. Yet the true success of these global conversations is not only found in the meeting rooms or in official statements.

It is found – and felt – in what comes afterward.

It is found when women return home inspired to create change where they live and work and serve.

As an organization, the National Federation helps turn global goals into local impact by developing leaders, supporting women, and creating opportunities for action. Women’s organizations like ours become the bridge between international priorities and everyday progress. We do this through mentoring, education, advocacy, networking, and service.

Progress for women is both global and personal. And the work of CSW reminds us of that. The goals may be international, but doesn’t that mean the action needs to start somewhere, locally?

Every meeting held, every member encouraged, every business supported, and every leader developed is part of something larger.

For two weeks every March, CSW can be inspiring, educational, energizing, networking on steroids, symbolic, and globally important. But if all the attention to women’s advancement happens only during those two weeks, then it risks becoming seasonal activism rather than a lived commitment.

CSW IS IMPORTANT

But its greatest power is not confined to conference rooms or calendars. Its value is truly realized in the months that follow. The value is what happens when those who attend return home to share what they’ve gained through leadership, mentorship, advocacy and creating opportunities. Progress is not built in two weeks alone. It is built in the steady work of the other fifty weeks of the year.

Commission on the status of women
csw@nfbpwc.org

Stay Connected with the UN by bookmarking these sites

• United Nations Main Website: https://www.un.org
• UN News: https://news.un.org
• UN WebTV (live & on-demand): https://media.un.org/en/webtv
• UN Women: https://www.unwomen.org
• Sustainable Development Goals: (SDGs) https://sdgs.un.org/goals
• United Nations on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/ company/unitednations

To learn more or to get involved with NFBPWC’s United Nations efforts email: unchair@nfbpwc.org.

United Nations
Unchair@nfbpwc.org

Spring is finally here and those of us in the north are very happy about that.

BPW International hosted a wonderful Leader’s Summit in New York City on March 6 & 7th, led by PIP Liz Benham and Past NAC RC Dawne Williams. It was an excellent event with lots of opportunity for participants to interact and share and Liz and Dawne did a fantastic job. We had participation from members from Canada, St Kitts, USA and St Martin and they are prepared to share what they learned with their affiliates.

A gala dinner was held on March 7th to celebrate BPW International’s 95th anniversary year with a moving Candle lighting Ceremony. A special thank you goes out to IFBPW VP Membership Francesca Burack who arranged a new location for the 2026 Leader’s Summit and the Gala Dinner this year – they were both wonderful spaces we appreciate her hard work to put it all together.

CSW 70 (Commission on the Status of Women) at the UN took place from March 9 – 20, 2026. There was significant participation from BPW members around the world and work done to improve lives for women. Many NGO CSW Parallel Events were held during this time with participation of many members from NAC and they are to be commended for sharing their expertise.

BPW Listens – Your Voice Matters has now come to a close. I thank all of you that participated from the start – attending the meetings last fall so we could put together questions/input from the NAC region, being involved in the Pilot survey and those of you that completed the survey. A special thank you to our Ambassador Sandy Thompson who provided her knowledge and encouragement to affiliates to complete the survey.

Now the work begins to analyze the results and put together actions/projects/ programs to meet the needs of our members. Results will be shared once the team has had a chance to review them.

Our NAC conference in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada is getting closer and I hope many of you have August 23 – 25, 2026 in your calendars. Everything you will need to know is on the website so please check it out – the link for our special hotel rates are posted there – each room has a view of either the Canadian or US Falls at a wonderful rate, considering it’s summertime in one of the busiest areas of the country.

Our NAC Young BPW Rep Deanza is putting together a great Young BPW Symposium for August 23rd (everyone is welcome), so I hope we will have a great turnout to support her and the Young BPW members. NAC 2026 Regional Conference- HOME - BPW Canada

I wish you a joyful and peaceful holiday time filled with meaning and happiness.

Karin Gorgerat Regional Coordinator BPW International
North America and the Caribbean
karin.gorgerat@bpw-international.or

Advocacy In Action: Lessons from CSW70

The biggest gender equity event of the year has come and gone. I trust you all had a fruitful CSW and were able to join events either in person or virtually. This was a historic year as CSW70 was the first in history to ever be concluded by a vote on the Agreed Conclusions.

There have been two years out of 70 in which there were no Agreed Conclusions, 2003 and 2012, but never before an adoption by vote. The vote was called by the United States which was the only country to vote no. The Agreed Conclusions were adopted - 37 in favor, 6 abstentions, 1 against.

Many experts, and government representatives alike, are concerned by this departure from adoption by consensus as it is seen to undermine multilateral cooperation. Many country delegates remarked their concern for lack of consensus during the closing session of CSW70.

As has been discussed before, CSW70 was also different in the way negotiations were handled. This was the first year that negotiations occurred prior to CSW, starting in November, and the Agreed Conclusions were adopted during the beginning. Traditionally, negotiations occur throughout the two weeks of CSW allowing civil society members to advocate for changes with their country representatives. This change was an outcome of the CSW Revitalization process and the desire to have a short, concise, action-oriented Agreed Conclusions document.

Despite the challenges to attain the document, the Agreed Conclusions did have notable wins including sustained and substantial funding for women’s issues, reparations for survivors and survivor-centered programs, and the first ever mention of women in detention in agreed conclusions.

You can read the entire document here.

I know the magazine will be featuring many people’s experiences from CSW, and I hope you enjoy reading them. CSW is an amazing time to be in community with fellow advocates, network, and gather inspiration - but now is when the work begins. NGO CSW/NY will be hosting their CSW debrief meeting on April 21st, I encourage you all to attend. IFBPW will also be hosting a CSW debrief, date and time TBD.

It has already been announced that the CSW71 priority theme will be focused on accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development and progress towards the SDGs. It is never too early to start planning for next year. As always, do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Emily VanVleck
National VP Advocacy
2024-2026
vpadvocacy@nfbpwc.org

March is Women’s History Month. Not sure how we could celebrate that without remembering that BPW’s relationship with the United Nations is truly foundational.

Business and Professional Women was among the earliest nongovernment or-ganizations (NGOs) to secure consultative status with the United Nations. In doing so, they ensured the voices of working women were present in international con-versations about human rights, economic participation, and equality. Long before virtual participation was possible and long before global communications moved at the speed of light, BPW leaders engaged with the UN system.

They advocated.

They monitored policy.

BPW understood early on that global poli-cy shapes laws, economic opportunities, and the advancement of women. They knew it was critical that women have a seat at the discussions so that the reali-ties of women’s economic standings would be considered.

And most important of all, they contribut-ed the perspective of women in business and professions around the world.

It was intentional and vital.

And in 1945, before there was CSW.

Eleanor Roosevelt, Chair of the UN Commission on Human Rights from 1946 to 1952.

Before there were gender equality resolutions.

Before there were annual and global recognitions.

There were women who refused to let the new United Nations be built without them.

Women like Eleanor Roosevelt, Chair of the UN Commission on Human Rights from 1946 to 1952. She was a key drafter of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). She ensured the language reflected rights for women, not just men.

Hansa Jivraj Mehta was an Indian dele-gate to the UN Commission on Human Rights. She fought for the wording transi-tion from “All men are born free and equal” to “All HUMANS are …”

She understood the value of structure and the power of chang-ing just one word.

These are only two of the many women who fought for our place at the Unit-ed Nations. Something we are

United Nations Call to Action for March:

• Visit the UN Women website: https:// www.unwomen.org/en
• Explore one topic, program, or report. I suggest:
• • https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do
  • https://www.unwomen.org/en/ annual-report/2025
• Share one thing you’ve learned with an-other woman.

United Nations
Unchair@nfbpwc.org

Stay Connected with the UN by bookmarking these sites

• United Nations Main Website https://www.un.org
• UN News https://news.un.org
• UN WebTV (live & on-demand) https://media.un.org/en/webtvhttps://media.un.org/en/webtv
• UN Women https://www.unwomen.org
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) https://sdgs.un.org/goals
• United Nations on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/unitednations

To learn more or to get involved with NFBPWC’s United Nations efforts email: unchair@nfbpwc.org.

For information please email international@nfbpwc.org

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

CSW70: Participating Virtually or Observationally

Participating in the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) does not require travel to New York City to be valuable. Many members engage effectively through virtual means and observational learning, particularly when the goal is understanding how global policy discussions work.

So how can you participate?

Review the CSW Priority Theme

Every year, CSW is focused on a specific topic, called the Priority Theme. Review the theme and the background materials and determine how it connects with your interests or committee work. This helps define the context and scope of your participation.

Decide How You Will Engage

Most virtual CSW participation will be watching online sessions or reviewing statements, reports, and outcomes. Some members attend selected live events, while others follow the process more broadly through summaries and recordings. Both are useful approaches.

Set Expectations and Purpose

These events are best approached as a learning experience. You can watch sessions, take notes, and track themes and language in addition to engaging in real-time discussion. Be clear about what 

you hope to gain and keep yourself open to learning so much more.

CSW Call to Action for March:

If you are considering virtual or observational participation this year, you cam start by

• Reviewing the CSW priority theme and related materials
• Deciding what level of engagement fits your time and goals
• Learning more about

CSW70: https://www.unwomen.org/en/how-we-work/commission-on-the-status-of-women/csw70-2026

And NGO CSW New York:

https://ngocsw.org/

We are looking forward to hearing what you get out of this significant event.

Commission on the status of women
csw@nfbpwc.org

Empowered Women Empower Women—Be Part of the Continuum.