BPW Connection | NEWSLETTER
January 2021
 |
| Suzi Youngberg |
Greetings Upper Keys Business and Professional Women!
Happy New Year! January is a time of new beginnings and fresh starts. It is perhaps worth remembering where the month gets it's name. All the months of our calendar come from Roman times, and January itself is named after Janus the God of beginnings and transitions. He is a two-headed God looking back to the past and ahead to the future. I particularly like this image of looking forward and behind at once. While we don't want to dwell on the past, it's in studying our history that we learn and grow - mistakes or triumphs, we learn from both. But, we must always be looking towards the future; ready for tomorrow, armed with the lessons of yesterday.
Speaking of looking towards the future while remembering the past - history will be made on Wednesday when, for the first time EVER, a woman will be sworn in to the second highest office in our country. Think about that ladies. The. First. Time. EVER. For the first time in 245 years, a woman will finally hold an office that has been held by 48 men before her. Historic firsts don't stop there - Kamala Harris will be not only the first woman, but the first black person, and the first person of South Asian decent to ever be Vice President of the United States. No matter how you voted, or your political party affiliations, this is an amazing moment in time for women! Wear your pearls on Wednesday to show solidarity of women supporting women, but be sure you also wear shoes because that old ceiling is shattering and there will be glass everywhere!
You hopefully heard that our traditional third Wednesday meeting is being moved to the fourth Wednesday in January. Please join us on the 27th at Noon for the next virtual luncheon, with speaker Brittany Parker from Good Health Clinic. I'm excited to hear her updates on the clinic, the pandemic and vaccinations. Read more about Brittany below in the Member Spotlight section. We will have a special guest or two joining us with further updates on the pandemic in our community. And, we'll be installing some new members, so be sure and sign up.
This month also brings us the first in the BPW/FL Technology Webinars, to be held the last Thursday of each month through April. To register for the webinars, you will need to register on the BPW/FL Members Login if you haven't already done so. While you're there, check out the new BPW face masks fundraiser for the Education Foundation. And mark your calendars now for the next Upper Keys BPW Professional Development Workshop: Moms in Business, coming February 10th.
I look forward to connecting with you more in the coming months! Continue to stay safe and healthy, we're in the home stretch now!
With love and gratitude,
Suzi Youngberg
UKBPW President 2020-2021
305-393-6830
UKBPW President 2020-2021
305-393-6830
January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
It's a chance to raise awareness and teach women about the growing need to protect themselves from cervical cancer and HPV (human papillomavirus). Most cervical cancers are almost always caused by the HPV virus.
Each year in the United States, an estimated 12,820+ women are diagnosed with cervical cancer. It was once one of the most common causes of cancer deaths, but today cervical cancer has become one of the most preventable. Over the last 30 years, the rates of cervical cancer have diminished by more than 50%. The reason for this change is due to the increase in appropriate screenings and vaccination (Pap and HPV tests).
The American Cancer Society, CDC and others recommend that the HPV vaccine be given to boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 12. Children and young adults age 13 through 26 who have not been vaccinated, or who haven't gotten all their doses, should get the vaccine as soon as possible.
Regular screenings, along with follow-up care, can help detect abnormal cell changes early, which can be treated before it turns into cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, starting at age 21 (or 25 by new ACS guidelines), a regular cervical cancer screening can help you prevent the disease. The most recent ACS guidelines also recommend that people older than age 65 with a cervix stop being screened as long as they’ve had 10 years of regular screening with normal results. Otherwise, they should continue to be screened.
Join the Upper Keys BPW for our first virtual luncheon of 2021 -- PLEASE NOTE NEW DATE -- this month on the *last* Wednesday of January!
We are excited to have Brittany Parker from the Good Health Clinic! She will give us information on the clinic, and update us on how the pandemic has affected them and their services. And hopefully some vaccine news updates!
We will also be joined by a special guest or two who will give further updates on the health of our community, including Molly Vlach, MSN, RN, CIC - Manager of Infection Control at Mariners Hospital & Fishermen’s Community Hospital.
There is no cost to attend this virtual event. We want everyone to feel welcome to join us! BUT, we are giving you a tier of donation options, including a Top Tier Level of only $50! (Top Tier Level donors will receive one FREE E-Blast for your generosity!) Donations from this month's event will go to the Upper Keys BPW Adult Scholarship Program.
February Evening Event
February 17th, 5:30-7:00 PM
An evening virtual event - learn the importance of Self Care from Jennifer Boltz, Exercise Physiologist at Keys Strength & Conditioning and Exercise Physiologist / Supervisor at Mariners Hospital. Jenn will talk to us about the importance of taking care of ourselves inside and out.
Mom's in Business: Professional Development Workshop
February 10th, 12:00-1:00 PM
Workshop to address work/life balance and workplace equality issues faced by working mothers. The afternoon will bring together like-minded women in a safe atmosphere of sharing and support.
Panelists: Gina Boilini, Carolyn DePaula, Margie Smith, Jenn Weiden
This Workshop, part of our Professional Development Series, features a panel of four working mothers with diverse careers and children of all different ages. They will share experiences and tips on work life balance, time management and if/how being a working mother has impacted their careers. There will also be time for Q&A and open discussion.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER. GO TO MEMBERS LOGIN. YOU WILL NEED TO REGISTER FOR THE MEMBERS LOGIN WITH BPW/FL IF YOU HAVEN'T DONE SO. IT'S QUICK & EASY AND GIVES YOU ACCESS TO LOTS A GREAT MEMBERS ONLY RESOURCES FROM BPW/FL!
UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS OF INTEREST:
Holiday Party Fun
Thanks to our special entertainment guests: Scott Youngberg for leading the sing-a-long and Sammie (Mayor Gonzo) Mays for the special reading of "Pirate Night Before Christmas!" Thanks to Amoray Dive Center for donating the prize for our Holiday Bingo winner! And thanks to everyone who joined us and played along. It wasn't your average Zoom meeting, with the fun including scavenger hunts and lots of good cheer! A good time was had by all!
FIRST COFFEE HOUR OF 2021!
NEW AND RENEWING MEMBERS
New Members -
Emma Haydocy, Florida Bay Forever
Antonia Shusta, Retired Financial Services Executive
Michelle Pope, Keys Life Magazine
Renewing Members -
Dawn DeBrule, Upper Keys Marine Construction
Danise Henriquez, Retired Monroe County Tax Collector
Ginette Hughes, Marine Resources Development Foundation/MarineLab
Sam Steele, Monroe County Tax Collector's Office
Dennis W. Ward, State Attorney
Sue Woltanski, Minimize Testing Maximize Learning / Monroe Co. School Board
Trisha Woods, Ocean Studies Charter School
Ask about the benefits of being a member! bpwupperkeys@gmail.com
bpw|SPOTLIGHT
Meet Brittany Parker
Program & Development Manager
Good Health Clinic
Brittany is the Featured Speaker for this month's virtual luncheon to be held on January 20th!
Brittany grew up in Akron, Ohio and left to get her degree in Biology and Marine Science at University of Tampa. After working for SeaCamp in Big Pine Key right after college and Sanibel Sea School, she moved back to Key Largo where she has been for seven years now.
She worked for MarineLab as an instructor, dive master, and captain for four years. She then transitioned to REEF for little over a year as their Education Manager.
At the beginning of last year she changed career paths and accepted the Program and Development Manger position at the Good Health Clinic. The global COVID pandemic put Brittany’s skills into hyperdrive as she learned to quickly navigate the needs of the clinic to keep everyone safe and healthy.
Brittany also has her own side business as an artist where she hosts Paint and Sip classes at Baker’s Cay every other Thursday, attends the monthly Art Walk at Morada Way, and creates custom work. She joined BPW in September 2020, and is being installed as a board member this month.
Atta Girl UKBPW Member Della Wheaton!
Della's daughter, Paula Wheaton, was a past recipient of an Upper Keys BPW Adult Scholarship. Della told us during the Holiday Party that Paula has graduated and is working as a nurse at Island Home Care. (Paula also helped Della get online for the party, so we owe her a huge "thank you" too!)
Congratulations Paula and Della!
Atta Girl UKBPW Members Lucy Given & Annie Hagen!
Way to go Lucy & Annie!
Atta Girl UKBPW Board Member Brittany Parker!
Brittany recently celebrated the 5th year renewal of her Merchant Mariner Credentials. She also joined the Upper Keys BPW Board of Directors this month.
Congratulations Brittany!
IF YOU OR
SOMEONE YOU KNOW DESERVES AN ATTA GIRL, PLEASE SEND US THE INFORMATION AND
WE'LL MAKE SURE YOU/THEY ARE RECOGNIZED! bpwupperkeys@gmail.com
CALLING ALL WOMEN - WEAR YOUR PEARLS ON WEDNESDAY!
Wear Your Pearls on Inauguration Day! Wednesday, January 20th!
Pearls are a symbol of class and sophistication.Pearls are a symbol of intelligence, purity and trust.Pearls are a symbol of elegance and beauty.
Regardless of your political affiliation, as we watch Kamala Harris become the first female Vice President, wearing our pearls is to show solidarity of women supporting women in breaking through glass ceilings. Wear your pearls and post to social media and tag #UpperKeysBPW and #WomenWearPearls.
SUPPORT BPW/FL AND THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION
BPW/FL Face Masks
Available in either blue or black with BPW/FL logo. Made of soft, stretchy, cotton/spandex material that is a double
thickness. Average size of the facial covering is: width 7 1/2"; height 4 3/4" (from tip to tip [ear straps] width is 11 3/4").
$6 each includes shipping. Buy 2 for $10.
So much great news and info this month!! History being made tomorrow!! Whoop whoop!! Love you BPW ladies!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the many varied opportunities to learn, share, and connect this month through BPW. So many choices - our Upper Keys BPW Chapter shines and brightens our world!
ReplyDeleteSandi Bisceglia