Centennial Celebration Script

YBPW Welcome (Rebecca) 

Hello, my name is Rebecca Davis and I am the 2020-2021 President of the Youngstown Business & Professional Women’s Club. On behalf of the YBPW I’d like to welcome all of you and thank you for attending tonight’s celebration. Everyone’s safety is the first priority of the evening. Please follow the guidelines The Lake Club has posted such as safe social distancing at the bar.

In previous years, we would be gathering here tonight to celebrate the YBPW Woman of the Year. But as we all know, this year is not like other years. As many events honoring and celebrating women in our community were being cancelled, the Planning Committee decided that rather than selecting a single honoree we would focus on all of the women who have made this organization what it is today. The working women of YBPW decided not only will we research and document the 100 year history of our Club, but also set a fundraising goal triple what we normally raise to fund our second scholarship. The 100 Year Planning Committee has met every other week since May via zoom, countless emails, group texts, and finally in-person meetings. If the Planning Committee would please stand to be recognized for your work.

Proclamations

Introduction Ruth Bradshaw Invocation

-Break for Dinner-

YBPW – Mission and Vision (Rebecca)

YBPW is a local group of professional women and entrepreneurs and has been present in the Valley since 1920. We are members of the Ohio Federation of Business & Professional Women, which monitors legislation that affects women’s issues and lobbies accordingly. Our mission is to achieve equity in the workplace for all women through advocacy, education and information. Our members are involved with charitable boards and other women’s groups who are focused on the betterment of our Valley. 

The vision of the Youngstown Business & Professional Women’s club is the Advancement and Empowerment of Women through Mentorship and Education. We strive to achieve this through our monthly meetings and special events we host throughout the year which provide networking opportunities, education, professional development, and panel discussions on various topics affecting business women in the community, but the most direct contribution we make is by providing for annual scholarship funds to assist women seeking to enhance their career and leadership achievements through college education. It is our goal to grow future leaders and create sustainability for our valley.

Empowering Women and Impacting our Community for 100 Years

A special thank you to Dorothy Peron who met with me and provided the Club with the information we needed to create the video you are about to see. I also want to thank Pam Speis and the Mahoning Valley Historical Society for their time and effort scanning all of the materials donated by the Club in 1994.

Recap of Major Events

I am going to take a moment to elaborate on some of the images we just saw. 

1920’s

While mobilizing for World War I, the U.S. Government recognized the need for a cohesive group to correlate women’s skills and activities. A Women’s War Council was established by the War Department to organize the resources of professional women. The National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs (BPW) was founded July 15, 1919. There were 40 inaugural members of the Club when it was established in 1920. The Club worked closely with the state and National Federation and the images presented were from the National Federation. 

1930’s

The Club continues to present speakers at its monthly meetings and special events. But some 80 years later it is still the speaker of 1939 that is the most impressive. To quote the article, Eleanor Roosevelt  “is the first wife of a President to win a place in public life through her own activities as “First Lady” and “It was startling to read that Mrs. Roosevelt has announced she would hold press conferences”

All through the decades were the presentation of often multiple scholarships per year to teachers, nurses, and women attending Youngstown College, Youngstown University and Youngstown State University. Think of this, a scholarship of $300 in 1950 adjusted for inflation would be worth over $3,000 today. 

Our 1st Woman of the Year Esther Hamilton in 1966 gathered nearly 300 guests. A quote from the Mayor of Youngstown drew applause as he said that while Esther occasionally “irked” city officials, she always did so with honest conviction. You go Esther. 

As we look back at the first 100 years of the Club, a common theme emerged as we reached out to past presidents to discuss their experiences with YBPW. Ann Milkovich, Past President 1974, is here tonight and I had the opportunity to ask her questions and gather a verbal history of the Club. Thank you Ann for your contribution to tonight’s program. 

Much like my own experience, she was encouraged by a member to join YBPW. It was an experience that gave her gave her a multitude of friends and a lifetime understanding of business and professional careers. The opportunity to network gave her the opportunity to call upon others when she had questions or needed advice that was freely given. The annual fundraisers and events united the group together by working hard to make it a success. The camaraderie and friendship were wonderful and her favorite memories were of socializing, talking and laughing at meetings and events. Program speakers enlightened her in many arenas of business and professional life. The driving factor in her participation in YBPW is that she wanted to be involved in the Youngstown community with professional women who were like minded and goal oriented. I couldn’t have said it better. This leads me to our next speaker, Corresponding Secretary Jessica Foster, to present Why YBPW?

Section 1:  Why YBPW? (Jessica)

Good evening.  I’m Jessica Foster, current Corresponding Secretary for YBPW.  Community organizations provide a needed and necessary avenue for individuals to meet both their social needs and the needs of society.  As Becky discussed from our 100 year video, it was out of the need to organize women’s skills and capabilities for World War I that the National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs was born.  Thankfully, we are no longer fighting a world war, but organizations like YBPW continue to be an important part of our community.

Have you heard that we’re dealing with a pandemic? (laughter)  Seriously, with all that has happened in 2020, connecting with like-minded, motivated, energetic and professional women has never been more important.  Not only does this group serve to fill a number of roles in the Valley, it has become a vital way to connect and provide support to one another throughout this difficult year.  

In preparing for this evening’s event, our committee realized you may not be aware of the many ways our organization impacts this community.  We hope you enjoy the stories you’ll hear from YBPW members, Past Presidents, current board members, and scholarship recipients.

Section 2:  Legislative Impact (Jessica)

Ohio BPW and YBPW have a long history of lobbying and promoting legislative change.  This change includes legislation enacted on both the state and national level, including:

• Ending the preference to only hire unmarried females.  Throughout the 1930s, BPW worked to prohibit legislation or other directives that denied jobs to married women and lobbied successfully to end the legal workplace preference placed on hiring unmarried females and, interestingly enough, married males.
• Endorsing the Equal Rights Amendment in 1937.
• Emphasizing the importance of skill development of women.  This was critical to the war efforts during World War II.  Immediately following World War II, the Women’s Pay Act of 1945, the first legislation to require equal pay- was introduced to Congress but legislation of this type was not signed into action for another 18 years.  John F. Kennedy signed the legislation and actually gave the pen he used to sign the bill into law to BPW’s National President at the time.
• The work for equal pay continued well into the 1990s as BPW lobbied for additional legislation that would strengthen the existing legislation but also include provisions for enforcement.  This led to the Pay Equity Employment Act of 1994, followed by the Equal Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act.
• More recently, in the state of Ohio, BPW continues to work on current legislation supporting:
• The Alice Paul Equal Rights Amendment – yes, we are still working on this one!
• Affirmative Action Programs
• Elimination of harassment against individuals
• Equal educational opportunities
• Adequate retirement benefits
• Programs for women re-entering the workforce
• Dependent Care
• Rights of victims of violent acts including domestic and/or sexual violence, human trafficking, violence prevention
• Full access to health care services including educational resources and funding research for women’s health care and health issues

Mary Patterson, Past Ohio BPW President, Past National BPW board member, and long time Salem, OH resident and YBPW supporter, had this to say about the importance of participating at the state and national levels.

*Play Mary Patterson video*

YBPW has also been proud to support Buckeye Girls’ State by donating funds to our local American Legion Auxiliaries who sponsor delegates.   I was a proud attendee of Buckeye Girls’ State in June of 2003.  This program brings together young women from nearly every school district in the state of Ohio and educates these women on the duties, privileges, rights, and responsibilities of good citizenship.  Delegates learn about city, county, and state government by creating their own governments in that one week.  I was the Assistant State Treasurer during my week at Buckeye Girls’ State and I like to think that was a precursor to my current career as a CPA.  Many young women attending not only learn about the government but also have an early lesson in networking which create long-term connections and friendships.  It’s important for organizations like YPBW to encourage government participation at a young age.

Section 3:  Support of Career Development (Sandy)

Hello, I am Sandy Barger Past President

The BPW has two (2) signature programs:

Young Careerist and Individual Development both started in the 1960’s

The Virginia Allen Young Careerist program provides training, leadership and personal development skills helping young professionals, between the ages of 21 and 35, and to showcase their professionalism, public speaking skills and networking excellence. 

The benefits of being involved in the YC program include opportunities to learn about current issues facing working women, acquire knowledge about the state legislative platform, advocacy issues, opportunity for visibility in the community, opportunities for networking with other successful professionals and modern education around personal and professional development including business etiquette, confidence, and relationship equity.

Participation in this program will enhance written and oral communication skills, both of which are critical to any profession. In addition, it is an opportunity to meet and network with other young women in the same stage of their careers. Express yourself and become a powerful woman in the workplace.

Candidates must have worked full time for at least one full year; working, training or attending school Candidates must support the goals and objectives of the BPW/Ohio legislative platform.

The Young Careerist selects a speech topic from a list of 5 topic options. YC representatives are given ample time to prepare for their speech once the topic has been selected. Speeches are to be four minutes in length. No props are allowed and all YC representatives will be required to remain standing when speaking. 

The Youngstown BPW has had several young women participate and become winners.

Here is a video from JoAnn Stock discussing her participation in the program and why she found it valuable…………

*Play JoAnn Stock Interview*

The Individual Development program was developed in the 1960’s to further enhance leadership and communication skills for working women. It has evolved over the years to meet the changing needs of women but the core of the program remains – with a communications and public speaking focus. 

The program introduces participants to the mission and vision of Business and Professional Women (BPW)

BPW Foundation continues to support ID; a licensed Signature Program.

To be eligible an individual must have completed all 13 modules sometime in the three-year period before the Speak-off competition (2018-2021).

There are 14 course modules some include:

Chapter 1:  What is personal development and how do I get started? Dreams vs Fear

Chapter 2: Vision and Mindset

Chapter 3: Resilience and Grit

Chapter 4: Belief  (in Yourself)

Chapter 5: Goal Setting – A Game Plan

Chapter 6: Setting your Philosophy

Chapter 7: The importance of Enthusiasm (In your beliefs, family, profession, hobbies and your own dreams.)

My favorites where:  networking, interviewing and negotiating

Traci Miller, Lisa Dickson and myself are able to teach the ID program as past participants.  We spent several Saturday mornings completing the program 

This program offers a statewide speak off but we chose not to compete at that time.

A past winner of ID program stated:

It is not who you know but what you know about who you know! – Charisse Kellums

Section 4:  Community Impact (Laurie)

I am Laurie Sunyog- past Board member for YBPW & I currently serve on the advisory board for Sojourner House 

I want to say thank you for your support over the years & I’m so happy you are here to celebrate 100 years with us. 

COMPASS family & community services – a highly respected charitable non-profit organization   

Sojourner House is a COMPASS program: 

The mission of Sojourner House Domestic Violence Services is to provide a comprehensive program of crisis intervention, counseling, advocacy and shelter for victims of domestic violence in Mahoning County. 

They Serve abused victims and their children in a home-like atmosphere while providing safety, education, awareness & recreational activities for parents and children 

They Provide Information about legal, financial, medical, vocational and housing needs. 

They Provide a safe haven in time of crisis 

They are funded through grants that are not always available- They rely on donations to run this excellent & very much needed program & facility. 

They have a registry on the Target site for everyday items that are needed throughout the year & gift cards for those that arrive at the shelter with absolutely nothing….. 

YBPW  has recognized this need & how fortunate we are to be able to help 

Holidays can be such a wonderful time of year for us. Yet, sojourner house residents are having the most stressful & sad of times. 

We made a group decision to have our members provide “presents”…not the everyday needed items, for the residents: moms, dads (yes, dads ), and children in lieu of presents for each other. 

 We have been told that this means the world to those that are struggling in their lives & provides a LIGHT in the holiday spirit & sometimes the only gift they receive. 

Please see me if you have any questions…Thank you for supporting our 100 year celebration! We love you! 

Section 5:  Women’s Rights and Equality (Rene)

Hello, I’m Rene Butler, current 1st Vice President of YBPW.  As Rebecca and Jessica already mentioned, a big part of the foundation of YBPW’s activities and the state level legislature are based on the ERA. This might be a little confusing for some of us in the room.

80% of the population believes that the ERA is already in the constitution; whether it’s us confusing the 19th Amendment for Equal Rights, or whether it’s us denying that we’re still working on incorporating something that was first introduced in 1923 and that SEEMS like common sense, it’s hard to say.

In fact, when Alice Paul first introduced the ERA at Seneca Falls in 1923, she pointed out that “If we keep on this way they will be celebrating the 150th anniversary of the 1848 Convention without being much further advanced in equal rights than we are…”

While culturally, it feels like we are impacting change in many ways, the failure to ratify the ERA officially into the Constitution is an indication that the change isn’t as deep or as consistent as it should be. Otherwise, there would be no need to ask the question “why is there so much resistance to formally adopting what so many claim is already in practice?”

However, we have made change, or maybe I should say significant progress, over the years, and it’s apparent in many ways.  In the following interview clip, Past President Lisa Dickson asks Anne McMahon, past YBPW President and the namesake of our Dr. Anne McMahon Scholarship, about her personal observations on this exact topic.

*Play Anne McMahon Video*

Actually, BPW, on a national and state level, has a strong tradition of activism for just such change in legislature and, as Dr. Anne mentioned, in local communities and business.

Jessica mentioned earlier that President Kennedy was instrumental in making strides, federally, on topics like equal pay for equal work, and establishing a Status of Women Commission. This was partly achieved by the strong activism taking place during the 60’s and 70’s through the unified agendas for women’s rights being demonstrated particularly by the Ohio Federation of Business and Prof. Women’s Clubs, the Ohio Division of the AAUW (American Association of University Women) and the Ohio YWCA (Young Women’s Christian Association).  This activism was the start of an enduring collaboration among these groups, and we maintain these relationships today, especially locally.

Today, support for activism and awareness of equal rights continues. On a State level, Ohio BPW has established a separate Political Action Committee, where members can endorse and contribute financial support to candidates for state office. On the local level, we continue to raise awareness through events like tonight, and more specifically at our annual Pay Parity awareness activities; often co-sponsored or supported through speakers from like-minded women’s organizations like YWCA and AAUW. Last year, we had to cancel our Equal Pay Party event, but this year we hope to resume during the week that symbolically defines how far into the year the average women must work in order to earn what the average man earned in the previous year regardless of experience or job type.

Section 6:  Networking (Dee)

Good evening.  My name is Dee McFarland and I’m current board treasurer and immediate past president and I’d like to talk to you about the importance of creating a network and how YBPW helps to support this mission.

The definition of networking is the action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.  It’s all in who you know…

Networking is the number one unwritten rule to success in business. But it is not about a quid pro quo or what can you do for me, it’s about relationships and building a circle.  Steve Winwood said networking is rubbish; have friends instead.

You’ve probably been introduced to or heard about any number of networking groups, either for your profession or social network.  Many groups limit either the number of members allowed or the types of professions that can be represented.  YBPW is different.  We welcome everyone regardless of size and type of business.  Our group recognizes the unique gifts each member possess and are greatly for how each is able to contribute not just to the group, but to one another.

Please enjoy this video of Past YBPW President, Ruth Bradshaw, speaking about the importance of building a network and the role YBPW plays.

*Play Ruth Bradshaw video*

Networking is especially important to women.  As women create their own businesses or move up the corporate ladder, there can be less and less people able to relate to specific challenges or provide experienced advice.  YBPW attracts strong, professional women who build each other up and provide a unique sisterhood of professional women.

At the end of the day, relationships are all there is. Everything in the universe only exists because it is in relationship to everything else. Nothing exists in isolation. We have to stop pretending we are individuals that can go at it alone. -Margaret Wheatley

Section 7:  Scholarships (Lisa Dickson)

Good evening everyone! I am Lisa Dickson and I am both a Past President of YPBW as well as a Past Region President for Ohio BPW. I also served as the scholarship chair for YBPW for 10 years and was fortunate enough to have been mentored by Ruth Bradshaw, Minnie Andrews and Dr. Anne McMahon who invited me to be a part of helping women secure the funding they needed to achieve their dreams. Words cannot express how much they educated and empowered me to grow as a leader, professional and business woman. I learned much from them and they are a large part of why I am so passionate about our scholarships.

As said earlier this evening, the initial intent of the organization of both the National, State and local Business & Professional Women’s clubs was to organize women’s skills and capabilities for WWI.  At that time our organization was focused on the woman’s right to vote and the prohibition of legislation that denied jobs to married women. The clubs also fought for equal rights and equal pay (which unfortunately we are still doing 100 years later). In order to be in a space of power to lobby for and gain these rights it was and IS imperative that we foster and empower women to have access to all skills, trades and professions. Obviously, the only way for this to happen is through education. It is education that we grow and empower leaders of any kind. As far as we can tell through navigating through the club’s historical collection of memorabilia, YBPW has been raising funds and providing scholarships for women all the way back to the 1950’s and we suspect to the club’s inception. These scholarships have included generous awards to women seeking the fulfillment of an education in many professions including, medicine, teaching, the arts, nursing, engineering, communications, business, etc.

When finances are a driving factor in the completion of educational aspirations, scholarships are of utmost importance. Additional funds can greatly impact the success and completion of educational diplomas and degrees. YBPW has always been very successful in its ability to raise funds and distribute them to women in need in our community and to empower women to become professionals. Let’s listen to an excerpt  of an interview with Sally Radovick, a 1974 recipient of a YBPW scholarship. 

*Play Sally Radovick Video*

WOW! It’s been almost 50 years since Sally received that award. A $500 scholarship with inflation would be over $2600 today. What an amazing impact that had to be on her and her family to ensure she received her bachelor’s degree. She then went on to become a pediatrician at a time when females were less than 25% of the profession and has been impacting and mentoring junior female physicians for well over 30 years. This is a true testament to the fact that any and all dollars donated to the scholarship fund impacts the lives of the recipients but more importantly has a long-term return on investment to the community at large.

So why is the YBPW scholarship named the Dr. Anne McMahon Scholarship Award? In the late 2000’s, Minnie Andrews, a long-time member of our organization and of the scholarship committee suggested that the YBPW annual scholarship be given a namesake. She suggested Dr. Anne McMahon and the committee and club voted unanimously to change the name to honor Anne. 

Dr. McMahon was a management professor at Youngstown State University. She was extremely passionate about connecting the classroom to business and vice versa. In her desire to create connections she became a member of YBPW and was a driving force in its success for over 20 years. Anne’s foresight of the changing demographics in the workplace and the impact it would have on human resources, employee relations and profits motivated her to create a partnership between YSU and YBPW that would create a platform for programs and a means to facilitate them as well as drive attendance. The signature programs were Workplace for Diversity, Lessons in Leadership and eventually panel discussions for female entrepreneurs to gather information to ensure success. These programs infiltrated large corporate employers in the area such as General Motors and others and brought attention all the way to the board rooms of changes that needed to take place and have become common place today. Anne was a pioneer for empowering women in the workplace and giving them a voice for issues concerning them. It is an honor to have been a part of renaming the award in her honor and to continue the tradition of women helping women professionally and in business.

The Dr. Anne McMahon Scholarship Award is housed under the umbrella of the YSU Foundation and is a $1,000 award given annually to a female student attending YSU. The goal is to award women that will become future leaders in society. We look for women that excel in the classroom but that also demonstrate good leadership qualities and are also in need of the extra monies. The scholarship is not a part of the tuition and can be used for any purpose they choose to help with achieving the completion of their degree. It could be for child care, gas, books whatever the need. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, submit a completed application along with 3 letters of reference and a 500 word or less essay telling the club a little more about themselves and their accomplishments and sharing why they feel it’s important for women to support each other in today’s professional and social environment. 

The scholarship is typically presented at the May meeting during the board installation ceremonies but due to Covid this year the ceremony was cancelled. We will be honoring our 2020 Dr Anne McMahon Scholarship recipient this evening.

Britany Hickey is studying the media track in communications at YSU and is set to graduate this December with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She maintains a 3.98 GPA and was valedictorian of her high school graduation class. She has held many positions as treasurer in various classes and organizations and is a member of the prestigious Lambda Pi Eta National Honor’s Society. She has won many awards and has managed to excel in her classwork while maintaining an on-campus job as a designer for the Jambar and an off campus job as a marketing representative for Baker Bednar Snyder & Associates. She is very active in her church and is chairperson of the Christian Education Team. She actively participates as part of the advisory committee for the Interactive Multimedia classroom at the Trumbull Career and Technical Center. Her references all complimented her on her hard work ethic, time management, leadership skills and eagerness to grow and participate in as much as possible. She obviously exemplifies all the criteria for a scholarship award. So please help me congratulation Britany Hickey as the 2020 Dr. Anne McMahon Scholarship Award. Britany please come up. Would you like to say a few words?

Thank you everyone! Thanks to all of you, past donors and the hard work of these board members and a few of those before them the Dr. Anne McMahon Scholarship Award has reached perpetuity and has over $42,000 in its fund. Thankfully, there will forever be a scholarship supporting female students attending Youngstown State University. The success of the National Business Week celebrations and other fundraising efforts including tonight’s event has provided just over $21,000 in additional monies to create a 2nd scholarship fund. This additional scholarship will open the opportunity for women to have more diverse options in education with the ability to attend other local universities and/or trade schools allowing for women to infiltrate additional higher paying skilled positions that were not available in the past. Our goal is to help grow as many women leaders in our community as possible and to ensure that opportunity for the future we ask that you continue to support YBPW as a whole and more importantly to donate valuable resources to the scholarship fund so we can carry this tradition on for another 100 years. 

Section 8:  Woman of the Year (Dee McFarland)

I was asked to speak with you about our Women of the Year event and program, which is very fitting, as my first exposure to my beloved YBPW was the 2013 Woman of the Year event.  I had just left a job in Columbiana County which was mostly administrative and had taken a sales position in Mahoning County.  It was total transformation for my introverted self and a huge risk.  That transition was not easy for so many reasons, which is a story for another time.  It was no mistake that I attended that dinner and met Lisa, Sandy, Robin, Tracie and so many others; and it is no mistake that my confidence in sales and networking coincided with my relationships with these  ladies.  The mentorship and the friendship are a huge part of my success and development as a salesperson, a female and now a business owner. 

When I was asked to join the board as secretary, I began to learn how a group of ladies could pull off such an event.  The ladies I worked with and the Presidents I served under, were top notch and the real deal.  When I became President, I was told the event was “the president’s event” and it was my job to make it successful and make money for our scholarship.  Game on.  In my two years as President, my most favorite event was the WOY event, it was the most work, so no, I am not a sadist. 😊  I enjoyed the camaraderie of the event; it literally takes every member stepping up and contributing in some way.  And it takes a community, all members and the board working their networks and coming together.  I also love that the event recognizes a lady in our community, who often, does not even know what YBPW stands for or who we are.  

So, what is WOY, well it started with National Business Women’s Week which is a BPW Foundation signature event in 1928 which recognizes the achievements of working women throughout history. Each year during this week, the BPW Foundation salutes exceptional female leaders in the workplace. The celebration of NBWW has helped to promote leadership roles for women and to increase opportunities for their advancement professionally and personally.

Youngstown BPW carries on this tradition by honoring one outstanding local woman in business each year during NBWW with our ‘Woman of the Year’ dinner and award ceremony, which doubles as a fundraiser to support our Scholarship Awards & Community involvement.  In the early days, the YBPW worked with the YWCA who named a woman of the year and eventually took over and transformed the award to be more focused on a woman who excelled in business rather than philanthropy.

In the 1990 the Woman of the Year Award was transformed into the Athena Award as the YBPW partnered with The Vindicator to bring the first Athena program to Youngstown. As the program and award ceremony grew, and the membership of YBPW dwindled, the Vindicator, and eventually the Chamber, took over the Athena award program, which is still in place and wildly successful and generates many scholarships for young women.

In 2011 the organization chose to reinstate this celebration by honoring Traci Miller with the 2011 Woman of the Year Award due to her commitments to YBPW and the community.  Each year since, YBPW has honored a local woman outside of our membership who are leaders throughout our community and have achieved outstanding career achievement, been true professionals, have mentored others and advocated for women. Part of the criteria for our woman of the year is that she epitomizes our club vision statement, which is “the advancement and empowerment of women through mentorship and education.”   

Join me in recognizing our prior award winners, those who are with us tonight please stand when I read your name:  

Woman of the Year Honorees

Traci Miller                                     2011

Dr. Cynthia Anderson                 2012

Liz McGarry                                    2013

Becky Dearing Wall                      2014

Julie Vugrinovich                          2015

Becky Keck                                      2016

Shirley Christian, Esq.                 2017

Stephanie Gilchrist                      2018

Rev. Gayle Catinella                     2019

While we chose not to honor a specific Woman of the Year this year, do not worry, we will be back at it next year. We will be rejuvenated and ready to celebrate and sell you all the stuff…tickets for the mystery box… baskets…wine, I mean it is a fundraiser, after all. 

😊Seriously though, we feel it is important to bring positive attention to women in our community who are not only succeeding but taking others with them and making an impact on those who are coming up behind them.  This event brings media attention and general community awareness to the positive ways in which women are involved and it continues to open up seats at the table for our local ladies.  We want our young girls and ladies to know they can have it all; they can bring home the bacon and fry it up in a pan, but what Peggy Lee didn’t tell you was that you will need a tribe and a network of successful ladies to support you. The WOY celebration encourages ladies to celebrate each other and to empower each other.  

Thank you for listening, and please join me in welcoming my fellow board member Janelle Fumerola. 

Section 9:  The Next 100 Years (Janelle Fumerola)

Hello, my name is Janelle Fumerola and I am the current 2nd Vice President and Past President of YBPW.  During tonight’s program, you’ve been taken through 100 years of YBPW history.  I’d like to think that if the women who founded our local could see what we’ve been able to accomplish through the years, they would be incredibly proud of what they started and the legacy they left behind.

While spending time learning about history can be interesting and add perspective to what we’re doing today, we already have an eye toward what we want this organization to be able to accomplish for years to come.  

The executive board for YBPW has been planning for some time on initiatives to continue the work our fore-sisters started many years ago.  You’ve already learned about our intent to fund a second scholarship for a local female student and your attendance tonight helps to support this effort.  For decades, the scholarships YBPW awarded accounted for the entire total raised through that year’s fundraising efforts.  In 2013, the club partnered with the YSU Foundation to fund the Dr. Anne McMahon scholarship and by 2018 the scholarship was fully endowed.  In honor of our 100th anniversary, funds raised through this event will be used to fund another scholarship.  Hopefully, we will continue to be able to set up additional scholarship funds down the road.

YBPW also plans to continue to increase awareness for the need for women’s equality and equal pay.  We are actively participating in Ohio BPW legislative efforts and continue to promote pay equity through our annual Equal Pay Day event.  This effort typically garners media attention from local TV stations and print media.  As long as there are women who are paid less than their male counterparts, we will continue to work to accomplish equity.

And finally, YBPW plans to continue to support women throughout our valley through working with hands-on organizations providing services to women in need, supporting organizations championing women’s causes, and increasing awareness of what this group has to offer to younger female professionals.  We have many members who are actively involved in other local organizations, including Rotary, Smarts, Autism Society, just to name a few.  Offering help and support to these organizations not only helps further their mission, but shows our community through our actions who we are and what is important to our organization.  In addition, YBPW has a position every other year on the Youngstown Foundation distribution committee, which helps determine what organizations and concerns will be funded locally.  The Youngstown Foundation has funds over $1 million and is the oldest community foundation in the country.  Our work with the Youngstown Foundation helps us directly impact those in need in the valley.  

In total, we want to continue to make YBPW the premier organization for bringing female professionals together and making a difference in our community.

Door Prizes – Becky Davis

Thank you and closing – Becky Davis 

A Special Thank you to Our Sponsors