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Congrats!

Welcome to our most recent member Sylvia Luo.

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Always Happy!

It's infectious!

After 10 months in hospital our wonderful sister Karen Pensabene was able to join us for BPWS's special International Night Tuesday 4th February. We are fortunate to have her as part of BPWS. 

 https://www.bpw.com.au/our-events  BPWS event site.

From the President 

Focus for 2024/25

· Community Engagement – Equal Pay Day, IWD Forum

• Club and Members engagement – Calendar Event prepared for each member to became more engaged and purposeful with BPWS membership.
  
• Broadening and enhancing connections with partner bodies – Strengthen the relationship with National Council of Women NSW.
  
• Broadening connections with Local, State and Federal Govt politicians – More closely engagement with them through IWD Forum.
  
• International Level Engagement – Participation in BPWI Leaders’ Summit & United Nation’s CSW68
  

Actions and Achievements

In the last financial year, we faced the challenge of meeting the required number of members to operate the club legally. However, within a few months, we successfully addressed this issue by increasing our membership. Additionally, we submitted amendments for consideration at the National Congress held in November in Darwin. I am thrilled to announce that our proposed resolution was passed during the meeting, and, BPW Strathfield has become legally recognised.

Our focus has been on fostering stronger connections with the local community, supporting our members in enhancing their skills, knowledge, and community engagement, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of our organisation. The club grant money enabled us to host the International Women's Day event on a grand scale, featuring international speakers, ministers, and local leaders and councils. This event helped us to reach a broader and younger audience. Our participation in BPWI and the UN CSW68 has also increased our visibility on an international level.

The various levels of engagement, both locally and globally, have enabled us to stand taller and more confident in representing our club on the world stage.

I extend my sincere appreciation to the dedicated and committed group of women with whom I have had the privilege to work. Their unwavering support has been instrumental in overcoming obstacles and driving our organisation forward.

However, we acknowledge that our Board and Club currently have vacancies, leading to an increased workload for the existing members. Nevertheless, our team remains steadfast in our mission.

HISTORY - Did you know?

BPWA History and the beginnings. 

How BPW can better serve its business members Carol Hanlon  Why am I still doing this? 

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https://www.facebook.com/

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Be part of BPW and have a voice! BPWS provides a platform to connect, learn and develop. 

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Business & Professional Women Goals 

• Community Awareness and Inclusion
• Community Engagement improving lives
• Days For Girls Charity: empowering girls through access to education
• Collaborate with BPW groups nationally
• Membership: engaging women to make a difference

Quote of the week: "I wish I had joined BPW when I was younger. Being part of BPWS had made such a difference to me." Mary D.

BPWS's International and local project.

Days for Girls Sewing Bee 2025.

Volunteers required.

No sewing skills necessary, it's amazing what you can learn.

Volunteers are back to another rewarding and enjoyable year of volunteering and to continue to make a positive impact to girl's and women around the world with the wonderful kits we will produce.  We also continue to welcome new volunteers to our community!

• 
  
• Bee Dates at Burwood Council Learning Lab 1 & 2 enter through library and just ask for directions. Burwood Library Sewing Bee (10am to 12pm). Monthly event-Wednesdays.
• Dates to Remember
  
• Wednesday, 12 March 2025 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
• Wednesday, 09 April 2025 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
• Wednesday, 14 May 2025 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
• Wednesday, 11 June 2025 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

• Please note on occasions some dates may change
  

• Bee Dates Located at Unit 2, No 2 Madeline St, Strathfield (10am – 3pm)
• 23 February
• 29 March
• 13 April
• 31 May
• 29 June

Thank you for all those who made it to the sewing bee.  Faye Helou - Days for Girls Director. 

BPWS 2025 aims:

• building relationships between community/services and business
• engaging in planning laws and practices to reduce negative outcomes for vulnerable women and girls 
• partnering with councils and local associations to run awareness campaigns
• raising awareness of Womens Empowerment Principals (WEPs)
• encouraging members to speak about women's issues
• mentoring and skills development amongst members
  
• information & News updates.

****  ‘Invest in women: Accelerate progress’  ****

2025

e-NEWS

Welcome to the latest edition of news.

IWD _ Human Rights

It represents the universal recognition that basic rights and fundamental freedoms are inherent to all human beings, inalienable and equally applicable to everyone, and that every one of us is born free and equal in dignity and rights. Whatever our nationality, place of residence, gender, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language, or any other status, the international community on December 10 1948 made a commitment to upholding dignity and justice for all of us.

IWD _ Days for Girls.

Days for Girls works to eliminate the stigma and limitations associated with menstruation so that women and girls have improved health, education and livelihoods.

Faye Helou

DIRECTOR

&

BPWS Secretary

History

Days for Girls began in Australia in 2012 after Gloria Buttsworth had a visit from her friend, who runs a children’s home in northern Uganda. The two got talking about the girls in the home and particularly their hygiene needs. Most of the girls could not afford sanitary products, resulting in many of the girls missing school repeatedly, with many eventually dropping out. The question occurred to Gloria: ‘‘What can I do?’’

The answer appeared in the form of the Days for Girls International (DfGI) Menstrual Health Programs. Gloria contacted Celeste Mergens, the founder of DfGI and the rest is history. Since beginning in 2012 with 4 teams, Australia now has a network of volunteers who sew and distribute from every State and Territory Australia-wide.  Whole towns can be inspired to participate in DfGS. 

EOY reflection DfGS 2024 by Faye Helou Director

Looking back at the past 12 months with DfGS makes me very proud for many reasons. 

Days for Girls is becoming recognised within the local community as a leading force for women, both locally and overseas, as the Kits we provide empowers girls, enabling them to continue their education and move forward to a better life. 

Both of our volunteer groups are growing, and with that our productivity is increasing, ensuring that we reach many more girls than previously, changing lives as we go. 

The partnership established with Good 360, where our kits are placed with Australian girls that need them, enables us to actively participate in reducing period poverty in Australia, something we can all be very proud of, in these difficult economic times. 

Thank you to each and every one of our selfless volunteers for making DfGS not only impactful, but a fun group to belong to.

MLC School Program

We are excited to continue our partnership with MLC School as part of their School Service Program with a number of activities schedule during the year including a monthly Craft Club which will be held during the school girls lunch period and a big service day at the school.  

Meriden School Program

This is our third year partnering with Meriden School as part of their Year 9 pastoral program and conducting a number of Service Days where we will welcome 20 girls at a time at our Strathfield location for kit preparation activities and packing.  In previous years the activities have gone well, the girls have felt empowered knowing that they were contributing to making a significant impact in another girl’s life. 

University of NSW Volunteers United (UNSW - VU) Program

We are thrilled to also announce a new partnership with the University of NSW to provide a workshop for kit preparation activities and packing at our Strathfield location for 20 volunteers in support of their Good Deeds Day. 

We are very fortunate to have both Barbara and Donna on our Leadership Team as these Service Days require significant planning in preparation for these activities and to our generous volunteers for their time to help supervise and assist with the program. We cannot stress enough how these programs cannot go ahead without your support.  More details to come.

Noosa Sewing Bee

Cathie’s Satellite Group in Noosa have settled into a nice routine.  Between 4 and 6 volunteers meet once a month and spend 3 hours together sewing and take additional work home. They are ramping up their kit production and have themselves a target of 100 kits for this financial year. To help with this we have ordered a set of regular templates (shield, liner, pocket, stitching line) and 500 DfG labels for drawstring bags. It’s wonderful to have their support from the Sunshine Coast, thank you! Faye Helou Director.

Our "local Members support BPWS" 

Karen Pensabene Strathfield Council, Jason Yat-sen Li State MP, John Fake Burwood Bouncil and Sally Sitou Federal MP

https://www.facebook.com/

NEWS 

The Women's Empowerment Principles are a set of Principles for business offering guidance on how to empower women in the workplace, marketplace and community.

National milestone as abortion officially decriminalised in every state and territory in Australia

** Madesin News: see what BPWStrathfield is up to- https://indd.adobe.com/view/6051ee53-6fcc-4cfc-a178-a1d1369e2684

https://womensagenda.com.au/latest/eds-blog/national-milestone-as-abortion-officially-decriminalised-in-every-state-and-territory-in-australia/

** FROM OUR PRESIDENT SWETA GUPTA. " Never stop dreaming, never stop believing...."  https://www.facebook.com/sweta.gupta.16906715/posts/pfbid02ZrU3wqPYj32ty6tjJmT18vUzBNskbFW4jjuWZcyrcEbpkFVf9iExfAXSeT76LosEl

** 15 Gender Issues We Must Address: According to The Gender Snapshot 2022 report, it will take around 300 years to reach gender equality. 
 https://www.humanrightscareers.com/issues/gender-issues/ 

** NSW Women's Strategy 2023-26 That women and girls in NSW: live and work in a safe and fair society where they are treated with respect and dignity, have suitable access to services, resources, opportunities and protections that enable them to thrive.
https://www.nsw.gov.au/women-nsw/nsw-womens-strategy#:~:text=Strategy%202023-2026-,NSW%20Women's%20Strategy%202023-2026,that%20enable%20them%20to%20thrive 

BPW International
 

(International Federation of Business and Professional Women) is an influential international network of business and professional women from more than 100 countries in 5 continents with Consultative Status at ECOSOC/United Nations. Founded in 1930, BPW International develops the professional, leadership and business potential of women on all levels through mentoring, networking, skill building and economic empowerment programs and projects around the world.

** NEWS: Free Service: Ask Izzy.  If you need some help, the Ask Izzy website can connect you with nearby support services across Australia. You can search for over 430,000 services close to you, including financial assistance, meals, mental health counselling, shelter, family violence support, and much more. https://askizzy.org.au

BPWS

2024-25

BOARD MEMBERS

1. President 

2.Vice President

3. Executive Secretary 

4. Treasurer (Director of Finance) 

5. Communication & Engagement Officer (Director of Marketing) 

6. Policy Advisor

Patricia Abraham Board / Vice President

2024 -25

Patricia Abraham is the Chief Executive Officer of Eurella Community Services. Eurella is an NDIS registered provider celebrating 70 years of providing supports for people with disabilities of all ages. Prior to joining Eurella in 2018 Patricia has worked in senior leadership roles within the disability sector with extensive experience in not-for-profit management, strategic planning, and advocacy.

Faye Helou - Board / Executive Secretary

Business woman and advocate. Passionate about – raising the status of women, both in Australia, and around the world.

Faye has received several awards for the work she has done in this field:  BPW Australia Woman of the Year, Rotary International Service Award for Professional Excellence. The highly esteemed ‘Paul Harris Fellow’ (PHF), which is awarded in appreciation of tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world.

Faye has held a chair on the BPW International Mentoring Taskforce, has organised NSW Equal Pay Day events, and is the founding President of BPW Strathfield. As current Board member and past president of Days for Girls Australia Limited,I continue to advocate for all women and girls. Days for Girls is an international project which is a grassroots non-profit organisation creating a more dignified, humane and sustainable world for girls through advocacy, reproductive health awareness, education and sustainable feminine hygiene - "because no girl should go without. Every girl, Everywhere.Period."

Emily Moses - Board / Executive Treasurer 

Janette Weeding - Board / Communications & Engagement.

I feel it is a privilege to be a part of the Business & Professional Women of Australia family..It is through BPWS that I can make a difference. Immediate Past President Janette 

BAEco & DipEdu

Paul Harris Fellow

BPWA Pat Harrison

Leadership Award

E: bpwsmarketing@gmail.com

E: bpws200@gmail.com

BPWS Executive Mentors

Mary Dimarco - Advisor to Treasurer 

I joined BPW Strathfield in 2015, and enjoy my work as Treasurer and advocacy.

The challenges of running a family business (Dimarco Monuments), required the opportunity for me to interact with women in similar roles and diverse business backgrounds.  BPWStrathfield proved to be the welcoming organisation for me.  Women who share valuable knowledge, guidance, create awareness and friendship. Especially for our newly arrived from other countries. E: treasurerBPWstrathfield@gmail.com

Robyn Duncan - Policy Advisor

Robyn A Duncan BCom, Grad Cert Public Administration, Cert IV Museum Practices.

Robyn joined BPWA in 1980 at BPW Newcastle.  She subsequently became a member of BPW Canberra and BPW Adelaide before returning to Canberra in 1995.  On the demise of BPW Canberra she was a Member-at-Large and became of member of BPW Strathfield in 2023. She has held office at the Club and Division level.  From 1987 to 1990 she was VP External Policy in a new structure for AFBPW introduced at that time.  She has attended Australian and Division Conferences as a representative of her club and as an observer. 

Robyn attended the International Congress in Auckland as an observer.

Since 2012 Robyn has been the Public Officer for BPWA.

Karen Pensabene BPWS Ambassador

Karen has been a member for BPWStrathfield for eight years and Past President of our club. Currently Karen holds the position as Mayor Strathfield Council. Karen brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our club. A strong advocate for improving the lives of women in her local constituency.

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MEMBERS

Margaret Mathews Member

Welcome

Margaret Matthews is a accomplished Real Estate consultant and a passionate Humanitarian Advocate, whose work has made significant impacts in both fields. With a wealth of experience in real estate and a heart dedicated to humanitarian causes, she has successfully bridged the gap between professional excellence and altruistic endeavours.

Having a strong interest in finding development sites specifically targeting accommodation for the disadvantaged. Margaret has also been deeply involved in the creation of children libraries in remote island communities in the Melanesian region.

 Residential & Commercial at Sydney Northern Beaches Buyers Agents 

* We welcome Sylvia Luo Member.

Eddie Middleton 

Heather Middleton 

Harmony Moxham.

Young BPWStrathfield & BPWA Board Member 

B.A. Criminology Maquarie University. Currently extending her knowledge through Creative Writing and Computer Science at the University of Wollongong (UOW). We have a budding author, and one to follow. 

Friend of BPWS

Mitra Shiva Hussaini

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--cVH5z6REg