Don Musilli - Speaker on September 17, 2024

In 1985 Don Musilli formed Pure Air Systems, Inc. a company that makes high end HEPA based air filtration systems. Don sold that company in 2006 (it is now 39 years old) and moved to Englewood, Florida full-time in 2009. He continues to do some outside work for PAS which is now over 39 years old and one of only three companies in the world that manufacture this type of high - end filtration equipment.

He was one of the founding members of the now highly successful Englewood Farmer’s Market which was formed in 2011.The Englewood Farmers Market has become one of the largest Farmers Markets in Sarasota County and often draws up to 8,000 people every Thursday on Dearborn Street in Englewood.

In 2012 Don created the Englewood Incubation Center, a 501c3 company designed to bring hard technology development back to the greater Englewood area. EIC has since been responsible for bringing 3D Printing to over 50 schools and organizations in Sarasota and Charlotte counties. He also just completed their first Maker Faire that drew over 1,000 people.

EIC/Liteworld created 3D Mini Camps for kids 8 to 18 in 2013 and have been putting on these classes for over 11 years. In 2018 camps for adults were added.

In January of 2016, Don formed a for-profit company, LiteWorld LLC, that represents and sells 3D Printers from LulzBot, out of Colorado and Type A Machines out of California. LiteWorld also offers its own 3D Printer enclosure that was designed by Don and now shipped all over the U.S. LiteWorld also does prototyping, product design and development and limited production using 3D Modeling and 3D Printers.

Don was also a Private Pilot and Scuba Instructor in his previous life. He also likes to write when he has time and currently resides in Englewood, Florida.

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September 2024 - President's Report

Happy September to all. After a very wet August, we are hoping for some dryer and cooler days ahead. Hopefully, everyone survived without too much flooding.

A special thank you for Tina Beer from the League of Women Voters of Sarasota County for the educating our members and guest on the six amendments, which will be on the ballot in November. It is not just women’s rights that is on the ballot, but some personal rights that will affect your pocket- book next year. The increase in the homestead exemption to name a few.

We are preparing for the Wine Tasting Fundraiser to be held at the Rumours Wine Bar in Englewood, FL on October 25th from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Tickets are $40 before the event and $45 at the door. There are sponsor opportunities for our members, business partners, and possibly your neighbors and friends. The Diamond Sponsor is $500.00 with (4) free tickets to the event, BPWEV website promotion, recognition at the event. The Platinum Sponsor for $250.00 receives (2) free tickets to the event, BPWEV website and recognition at the event. The Gold Sponsor receives (1) free ticket to the event, recognition on BPWEV website and at the event. The Silver Sponsor for $75.00 includes recognition on BPWEV website and recognition at the event. If you cannot provide a sponsorship, we are in need of gift baskets. A theme such as coffee, beach fun, or entertainment at home would be terrific.

Our September 17th meeting will be an evening meeting from 5:15 PM to 7:30 PM. Some our members who work remotely were not able to attend the luncheon meeting during the day. We are also discussing other fundraising events for our general fund. Bingo at a local restaurant or Visani’s in Port Charlotte for a night-out. If you have any ideas or suggestions, the Board welcomes your help.

Sincerely,

Sue Hogrefe
President of BPWEV

2024 BPW Adult Learner Scholarships

Christine Davis Memorial Scholarship

For those of us who never knew her, I’d like to take a moment to introduce the lady our scholarship awards are named after.

Christine Davis was a BPW member for over 50 years, first in New York State and later in Florida.  Her energy to promote BPW was astounding. She served in every office the organization had to offer, short of State or National President. She served on many committees and especially enjoyed being chair of the scholarship committee until ill health required her to resign from too many obligations. Her beautiful smile, her eagerness to be always willing to help and her efficient handling of any task she elected to do or help with, will not be forgotten by the BPWEV members, but will be missed.

The Christine Davis Memorial Scholarships will preserve the love and devotion she championed to achieve equality for all women.

Public Policy Platform 2023-2024

At the BPW Florida State Conference in June, 2023, the Proposed Public Policy was presented and approved. The new Public Policy for 2023 – 2024 is below:

Introduction:

Since the inception of BPW/FL in 1919, BPW/FL has always supported women’s rights. BPW/FL continues to support the ERA as a basic foundation of our Public Policy Platform, even as we understand that passing the ERA grows more difficult with the passage of time. BPW/FL firmly believes that equality of rights under the law should not be abridged or denied by the United States or by any state on account of sex, and the rights of women require constant vigilance.

Item 1: Economic Equity, Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency

BPW/FL supports public policies that:

• ensure pay equity and equal employment opportunities for all women
• promote opportunities for women-owned businesses
• promote affordable, quality dependent care
• promote Social Security and retirement reform options benefiting women
• guarantee a workplace free from harassment and discrimination

Item 2: Health Care

BPW/Fl supports public policies that:

• support the expansion of affordable care, including Medicaid, in Florida
• support funding and initiatives the cover women’s health care needs
• ensure women’s access to all health care and family planning needs, including full access to all forms of reproductive health services, education, and prescriptions

Item 3: Voting Right and Access

BPW/FL supports public policies that:

• promote free and fair elections
• are aimed at expanding voters’ access to the polls
• are designed to protect the right of all American citizens to vote in fairly drawn legislative districts