PHILIPSBURG:--- Business and Professional Women (BPW) Regional Coordinator Bessie Hironimus visited with the St. Maarten affiliate. Ms. Hironimus coordinated a training session for current members and was the guest speaker at an open house for potential members and friends of the local club.
Ms. Hironimus schooled members on new and old programs that BPW has available to help bolster its mission on the empowerment of women and advocating for equality in the workplace. She updated members on the BPW International Leadership Summit she just attended in New York, the BPW Regional Congress that took place in nearby Puerto Rico and the BPW International Conference which is taking place in Jeju, South Korea, May 23-27, 2014. Ms. Hironimus was very proud to report the growth of clubs in the region, namely our sister affiliates in Tortola and St. Kitts, with whom she visited previous to coming to St. Maarten.
Potential members and friends also got to meet with the regional coordinator at an open house this past Saturday where she shared what BPW was doing worldwide as they continue in their mission to advocate for equality in the workplace. One such activity that has caught steam is Equal Pay Day, whereby women adorn red bags to showcase the disparity in pay with male counterparts.
BPW St. Maarten President Natasha Ortega is enthusiastic for the upcoming year for the association. "BPW have asked the public to come to us in the past, this year we plan on coming to them. We also hope to partner with other associations who advocate for women and girls", Ms. Ortega stated. BPW has come to be known for their Breakfast Sessions, where they dole out information on everything from the legalities of starting a business to coping with depression. Ms. Ortega promises that this will continue. "We will continue to give information we hope will empower women and by in the large our community", she said. "BPW is very pleased with Ms. Hironimus visit, it's great to hear firsthand the impact that BPW is having worldwide and having our club associated with such phenomenal women is inspiring and aspiring", she continued.
You can find out more about BPW at www.bpw-international.org or find us on Facebook BPW St. Maarten.