The Adult Learner scholarship applications and information/instructions will be available on www.bpwev.org as of January 15, 2019. The deadline for postmarking the scholarship application is April 30, 2019.

All members are asked to promote this important part of our organization. Female applicants must reside in either Sarasota or Charlotte County. Adult Learners are those women pursuing advanced education or retraining in college or vocational school. Each scholarship is intended for a woman who has had an interruption in her education and is now returning to school. (Or entering college or vocational school for the first time to advance her education). Single mothers are encouraged to apply.

BPWEV is engaged in a national program Joining Forces for Women Veterans and Military Spouses. The program provides resources and online connections to veterans and military wives to assist in their successfully obtaining meaningful employment and a career of their interest. One goal is to help these women in completing advanced education or training and BPWEV encourages Women Veterans and Military Spouses to apply.

Business & Professional Women of Englewood and Venice is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization.

The Virginia Allan Young Careerist Program (YC) was founded in 1964 by BPW National President Virginia Allan in order to recognize the professional, personal and political achievements of young professional women and men.

Participants, both BPW and prospective members, compete to represent BPW on the Local and State level by delivering a prepared 4-minute speech, interviewing with judges, and preparing a biographical statement and application.

BPW/FL has a long list of former Young Careerist participants and representatives who, by their participation, have developed a greater sense of self-esteem, and have gone on to more rewarding and fulfilling careers and have demonstrated themselves as outstanding leaders in their communities.

This program recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of young women between the ages of 21 and 35 for their endeavors at bettering themselves and others, professionally, personally and politically. The Young Careerist Program is about mentoring and building self-esteem and confidence. It is about giving recognition and acceptance and the celebration to all participants.

grocery bags

The generosity of our membership is amazing! At the November meeting you all opened your hearts and wallets and donated enough money to purchase all the shoes and clothing desired by the single moms for their children. Three children had their wish for a favorite toy fulfilled. Amazon Prime delivered them to our home in two days. All clothes and shoes were purchased at Walmart who honored out 501(c)(3) status and didn’t charge state sales tax.

On November 29,2018 I delivered the gift bags to the Salvation Army who will give them to the three families in time for Christmas. A $100.00 check will also be presented to the Englewood Helping Hands to purchase necessities for the food bank.

Thank you BPWEV members for another successful Women Helping Women project and your generosity.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah and Blessed Holidays to all of you.

Speakers at Hats Off to Women Workshop l to r: Esther Bird, Committee chairman; Dorothy Korszen; Mk Mueller; Cyndi Fredricks; Kairee Haley; Kathleen Houseweart
Speakers at Hats Off to Women Workshop l to r: Esther Bird, Committee chairman; Dorothy Korszen; Mk Mueller; Cyndi Fredricks; Kairee Haley; Kathleen Houseweart

Committee Chair, Esther Bird and speaker Mark Rizzo
Committee Chair, Esther Bird and speaker Mark Rizzo

On December 8th BPWEV held the HATS OFF TO WOMEN WORKSHOP at the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce.  The event was very successful and I send a HUGE thank you to our six wonderful speakers:

Communicating with Confidence - Dorothy Korszen
Preventing Scams and Identity Theft - Mark Rizzo
Normal Memory & Aging - Kathleen Houseweart
Dealing with Challenging People - MK Mueller
Self Defense for Women - Kairee Haley
Promoting Equal Rights, Equal Pay and Equal Opportunity - Cyndi Fredricks

Our sponsors were very supportive and appreciated:

Platinum - Gold Rush BBQ, Mason Knows Mortgages, and Anonymous.
Gold sponsors - Farr Law Firm, Centennial Bank, and Morina Chmielak, Professional Travel Services.
Silver sponsors - Brookdale Senior Living and Celestial Massage and Wellness Center.

A special thank you to Natalie Bloom, Debbie Straw, Alyssa Case, Jennifer Fagenbaum, and my last minute recruit, Cyndi Fredricks. And, several other members volunteered at the event to help, and I want to recognize and express my appreciation for their help.

We worked very hard to make this a successful event. Everyone who attended had a good time, learned a great deal, and felt recharged and motivated by the valuable information they obtained from the presentations.

kathy castellano holding plaqueLongtime Business and Professional Women of Englewood (BPWEV) member, Kathy Castellano, spoke from her heart as she educated the members and guests about a disease commonly called “Wobbly Feet Syndrome”. Her grandson, Connor, was diagnosed with Ataxia Telangiectasia at about age 3. Since that time the Dzembo and Castellano families have worked endlessly to help fund research for this rare disease. Many fundraisers, supported by local communities, have helped fund encouraging research at several universities. Clinical trials were approved and Conner, 12 years old now, was selected as one of the patients.

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Business & Professional Women of Englewood and Venice
P.O. Box 611, Englewood, FL 34295
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