A Little Bit of the BPW International Congress from a JDEI Perspective

Picture bright colors, whispers of unfamiliar languages, everyone proudly carrying their gift Business and Professional Women International (BPWI) briefcase. Registration tables buzzing, friends greeting each other, zoom friends meeting in person for the first time. Some gesturing to communicate the joy of meeting in one place.

That was the mood as we all were getting ready to do important work for BPWI. It was a diversity aficionado’s dream space! I could not get to all the global sisters in enough time. There were 72 languages spoken and I watched as these impressive women switched fluidly from one language to another. It was a sight to be seen, knowing that they were preparing to participate in choosing new leaders for the next triannual. This meant total focus on their English, interpreters to assist, and decision making in place.

During the coffee breaks or in the afternoon, we shared had ethnic clothing, jewelry, purses, books, and more. Many explored how they could wear some of these unfamiliar (to them) garments and accessories.The food served was a mélange of tropical Caribbean and other flavors. Guests were hovering over the desserts and fruit drinks. All our senses were awakened, and we were experiencing cultures far and wide. The hot humid weather was cooperating nicely for us to be fully aware of where we were.

Now why am I describing all this? I want to bring your focus fellow NFBPWC sisters because, there is an enormous world of us out there wanting to connect with us.

Waiting to share their culturen and experiences. Even though we were all in one place  to look at Constitutional Amendments, Resolutions, Procedures, voting etc., we were feeling the oneness – the focus of almost 100 years of women doing this work. None of it would be possible if not for collaboration and unity.

The diversity in the space we were in was screaming at us that we have much to learn from each other. So, if possible, save, mark your calendars, plan for the next biannual meeting of NFBPWC!  We can start soon, get excited, and bring our energy to grow our diversity!

In the meantime, consider joining the JDEI committee, please reach out to me. My email is dei@nfbpwc.org – let us organize and maybe invite some of our BPWI sisters to share their experiences with us!

SHER SINGH
JDEI CHAIR

Women Mean Business

As an organization of Business and Professional women, we understand that women don’t just do in business, they transform it. Across industries and communities, we are leading with resilience, vision, and innovation. We believe that leadership is not a one-time milestone, but a lifelong journey of growth. That is why the Lifelong Leadership & Learning (L3) program strives to provide women with the skills, confidence, and resources needed to grow.

This October, we are taking it to the next level with the

L3 Virtual Training Jamboree 2025.

The L3 Virtual Training Jamboree will bring members together for inspiring, practical, and interactive sessions designed to equip us with tools for communication, strategic thinking, collaboration, and business growth. Expert facilitators, experienced leaders, trainers, and professionals will guide each session,  ensuring  participants  gain  not  only knowledge but also actionable strategies they can apply immediately.

It’s more than a training, it’s a movement to reignite leadership within our clubs and federations, inspire the next generation, and reinforce the power of NFBPWC as a driver of women’s empowerment, therefore reminding the world that Women Mean Business.

Join us virtually on October 10th and 11th and be part of a powerful experience that celebrates learning, leadership, and the unstoppable force of women in business.

You can direct questions to L3Chair@NFBPWC.org

Nicole Mpouli Lifelong Leadership & Learning Committee Chair

2025-2026

Who will be at the L3 Jamboree?

We have a great lineup of speakers who bring an enormous amount of knowledge,

EXPERTISE, EXPERIENCE, AND EXCITEMENT – ALL OF WHICH THEY WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU!

For information please email.

SHER SINGH
NFBPWC JDEI CHAIR 

Do we have any retired WACs, or descendants of WACs among us? We have members who are or have served in the military. Can you imagine going to war dressed like this? Even if you never got within 50 miles of the front line, this uniform seems designed to keep up the morale of cis-gender, heterosexual men rather than to allow its wearer to do much useful work in comfort. Yet we did. Women have always performed better than men expected in war. To paraphrase a quote attributed to Ginger Rodgers, (who says she never said it), we can do anything they can do – and do it backwards in high heels.

There is a JDEI Committee meeting scheduled for September 8, 2025 at 4:00 PM Pacific | 7:00 PM Eastern.

To register, go to: https://www.nfbpwc.org/event-6267684

SHER SINGH

NFBPWC JDEI

Chair

There is a JDEI Committee meeting scheduled for August 11, 2025 at 4:00 PM Pacific | 7:00 PM Eastern.

To register, go to: https://www.nfbpwc.org/event- 6068162

SHER SINGH
NFBPWC JDEI
CHAIR

Will Women Reach Full Parity in Our Lifetime?

For my JDEI article I want to talk about the Global Gender Gap Index. Each year it benchmarks the current state and evolution of gender parity across four key dimensions (Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Health and Survival, and Political Empowerment). It is the longest-standing index tracking the progress of numerous countries’ efforts towards closing these gaps over time since its inception in 2006.
It is a lot readying to get through, so I am bringing to your attention a portion of this report. The World Economic Forum report 2024, explores several areas of note. In their findings where parity (the state or condition of being equal, especially regarding status or pay) for women remains five generations away.

• Global gender gap sees only a slight improvement and will still take five generations to close at current progress.

• Improvement in political participation of women has the most impact as it is where the gap is largest, with top-level positions remaining largely inaccessible for women globally.

• With over 60 national elections in 2024 and the largest global population in history set to vote, women’s political representation and the overall gender gap could improve.

• Parity in global labor-force participation is recovering, reaching 65.7%, up from a pandemic low of 62.3%.

• Women's representation in AI engineering has doubled since 2016, but significant underrepresentation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) fields and AI (Artificial Intelligence) remain.

• Explore the full report, infographics and more here; share on social media using the hashtag #gendergap24.

There are some positive developments despite ongoing challenges. Parity in labor-force participation rates for women have rebounded to 65.7% globally, from a low of 62.3%. Latin America and the Caribbean achieved an overall gender parity score of 74.2%, as well as its highest economic parity score to date (65.7%), driven by strong parity in labor-force participation and professional roles, and the second highest regional political empowerment score (34%). This success story in Latin America can serve as a model for other regions.

We are not progressing; in fact, we slightly went down. Hence the predictions that the parity for women lies five generations away. According to the study, the gender gap is narrowing but the collective rate of progress has slowed down. Without a bold push forward, it will take 134 years to reach full and equal pay.

Our national Advocacy webpage states the following on this subject, “The Alice Paul Equal Rights Amendment shall stand first and foremost above all other items of the advocacy platform until Equal Rights have been guaranteed in the United States Constitution - i.e. "Equality of Rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex."

Have you looked at this page lately or anytime?

Here is one example of the continued fight for women’s rights. On April 3rd, 2025, EQUAL MEANS EQUAL’s Legal Advisor and renowned impact litigator Wendy Murphy filed EQUAL MEANS EQUAL v Donald J. Trump in Federal Court on behalf of individual plaintiffs and all women to demand that the United States Government allow women to register for the Selective Service, should they so choose.

So, we can see that it is an ongoing gender gap, rights, dialogue, and actions. We need to get engaged, be informed, educate ourselves, and encourage others to join us!

SHER SINGH
NFBPWC JDEI
CHAIR

You are invited to join us for a special presentation on LGBTQ+ issues from a legal and journalistic perspective with:

Tekla Taylor from Advocates from Trans Equality

and

Daniel Villareal, Senior Editor of LGBTQ Nation

Tekla Taylor (they/them) is a writer, artist, and advocate who has dedicated their career to activism and storytelling for the LGBTQ+ and reproductive justice movements. As the Public Education Specialist at Advocates for Trans Equality

(A4TE), Tekla is passionate about educating the public on trans and queer liberation and building solidarity. They bring an expert yet accessible perspective to their presentations, rooted in their academic work in the history of gender and sexuality at the University of Mary Washington. In addition to their advocacy work, Tekla is a published poet and professional artist.

Daniel Villarreal is a longtime journalist who largely focusing on LGBTQ+ culture and politics. His work has been published at NBC News, Newsweek, Vox, Vice, Advocate, Vice, The Seattle Stranger, The Austin Chronicle and elsewhere. He co-founded  Queer  Bomb Dallas, a non-corporate Pride rally & march, and Ciné Wilde at the Texas Theatre, the nation's longest- running monthly LGBTQ+ film series. Villarreal currently lives in Portland, Oregon, with his fiancé and works as senior editor at LGBTQ Nation.

Monday, June 9, 2025 at 3:00 PM PST | 6:00 PM EST

Register:  https://www.nfbpwc.org/event-6068151

SHER SINGH
NFBPWC JDEI CHAIR

Vet 2 Vet Creative Program for all Citizens

In honor of National Military Appreciation Month which falls in May each year, let us celebrate!

Something my BPW sisters don’t know about me. I am certified as a  Vet 2 Vet mentor for veterans. This program goes through the mental health agency in New York. I am sure there are similar programs around the country.

I attended a series of classes at the local college and graduated with a medallion of which I am very proud.

The Vet 2 Vet program seeks to promote and advocate for the mental health and emotional well-being of Veterans by assessing their needs, providing peer-to- peer mentoring, networking groups, information and referrals and other creative and supportive activities.

In this course, some of the presenters were veterans who came back into their communities and struggled with assimilating. The mentors worked with them in many ways to support their adjustments. I learned how female veterans had different struggles. This program has proven to be quite successful, while bringing an awareness to many communities.

Vet 2 Vet is still doing good work, and many veterans are grateful. It has made a difference in their lives!

If you can, support and celebrate a veteran today, May is the month to step up!

SHER SINGH
NFBPWC JDEI CHAIR

Adults Breaking the Silence … that perpetuates the silence of child sexual abuse

Presented by Cheryle Gail Grace, Executive Director Brave Voices

Cheryle Grace has been described as a "Force of Nature."

Cheryle holds a vision where children are FREE from sexual harm. She is committed to co-

creating a world where communication replaces silence, and awareness replaces discomfort and ignorance.

Brave Voices break the cycle of silence that perpetuates childhood sexual abuse. Every adult contributes to the reduction of harm by speaking up.

When:April 14th, 2025

Times:3:00 PM Pacific | 6:00 PM Eastern

Register at:https://nfbpwc.wildapricot.org/event-6068118

SHER SINGH
NFBPWC JDEI CHAIR

Remarkable Woman – Rajkumari Singh MBE

(Member of the Order of the British Empire)

Like a Constant Tropical Breeze through the Demerara Louver Windows of Guyana!

This is a tribute to a confident woman – a force to be reckoned with. I knew her in my young life where my impressions were being formed. I didn’t realize her collective power because she was family. I later understood the length and breadth of her work.

Her vision, stalwart personality, creative nature, and literary skills were par excellence. She was a leader in every sense of the word. She was married and had eight children. Her journey was chuck full of surprises and adventures and she was admired by her country and even the queen of England.

Rajkumari Singh surmounted many challenges during her life. At the age of six, she contracted polio, but this did not confine her. She rose above this challenge and made significant contributions to Guyana's political and cultural environment.

She grew up in an activist home in Georgetown. Her mother, Alice Bhagwandai Singh (nee Persad), was born in Suriname (formally known as Dutch Guiana). Rajkumari's father was Dr Jung Bahadur Singh who was born at Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara, Guyana.

Her parents met on a ship that had transported indentured immigrants from India to the Caribbean.

They were both dispensers and got married on February 23, 1912. She followed her mother’s footsteps in theater, performing arts, Red Cross, YWCA, and more. They were active in their community and covered many milestones. Her father was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire.) for his work.

This environment influenced Rajkumari, who established a reputation as an innovative and multi- talented broadcaster, producer, director, playwright, poet, songwriter and cultural activist.

She was an announcer and presenter of Indian cultural programs on Radio Demerara. She was a member of the British Guiana Dramatic Society and is remembered for her play Gitangali. In 1960, she published six short stories in A Garland of Stories.

Rajkumari also participated in the political environment. In the 1960s, she was engaged by the People's Progressive Party and was appointed to serve on the Commission of Inquiry into the racial violence at Wismar, McKenzie, Guyana

In the 1970s, Rajkumari returned to the cultural sphere. She went back to broadcasting and literary activities and has been described as "one of the first Indo-Guyanese women writers to speak to both the ethnic and gender issues facing Indo-Caribbean women." (Peepal Tree release)

Visiting her landmark home known to everyone. During the early 1970s, you could find a cultural oasis peppered with all the activists of that time from all racial, religious and ethnic communities, energized with deep discussion and visualizing a new Guyana now that the "Days of the Sahib were over."

Rajkumari was very passionate about the place of the arts in the creation of post-independence Guyana society. She clearly understood that one of the challenges facing the new nation was the mutual ignorance of our collective histories. She held the view that the arts provided a vehicle to find the similarities and the opportunities to explore new possibilities. So, it was not surprising when she joined the Guyana National Service at its start in 1972. She had a vision, and it was a chance she took with racial tension in the country.

Under Rajkumari's leadership, the GNS (Guyana National Service) Culture Corps helped Guyanese of African ancestry to demystify the aesthetics of Guyanese of Indian ancestry. No longer were the dhantal, dolak, sitar and harmonium the instruments of the 'other.' Music spoke about aspiration and demonstrated fusion.

Amongst countless awards she received for her contribution to Guyanese cultural life, she was one of the first Guyanese to receive the Wordsworth MacAndrew Award when it was introduced in 2002. She received Guyana's Arrow of Achievement in 1970.

Rajkumari Singh was a major pioneering Indo- Guyanese poet, writer, political activist, educator, and distinguished cultural leader who presided over a movement by artists in Guyana to reclaim the slur "coolie." Even with the disability of polio she took command of the stage, podium or radio communication. She rose above this challenge and made significant contributions to Guyana's political and cultural life. She was respected and praised by her contemporaries for the quality of controversy, criticism and debate present in her works, for which she received many literary prizes and awards; she is revered by numerous younger poets, writers, scholars, artists and performers, to whom she was a patron and mentor.

She was the first published Indian woman from the Caribbean and although she never used the term "feminist," her life's work contributed to feminist literature of the Caribbean, in addition to her advancement of a national Guyanese culture of integration while still upholding Indian culture within this new construct.

Her work continues to be recognized for its beauty and depth. Her poetic legacy inspires younger generations of Indo-Caribbean writers, with festivals, workshops, and even a multi-arts center in Richmond Hill, New York City bearing her name.

She died while receiving treatment in New York City in 1979, at the age of 56. She did it all whilst raising her eight children, who carried on her artist legacy through dance, song, theater, and literature. Her children have expanded on her work, and today her legacy thrives through the Rajkumari Cultural Center in Richmond Hill, New York.

SHER SINGH

NFBPWC JDEI CHAIR