September 10, 2014

 The BPW year started with a bang on Wednesday, September 11^th at Venue 1008 in Inglewood!  Our President, Sophie Blais-Yalbir kicked off our meeting and her two year term with her President’s address outlining that the Executive wants to continue to be responsive to the changing needs of membership – this year we will be enjoying up to two dinner meetings which will be in workshop format as well as providing Young BPW with the opportunity to host and organize two dinner meetings.

Every May BPW Calgary has a business meeting where feedback is solicited from all of our members and that feedback is used to build our strategic plan.  The theme for the 2014/2015 year is “Inspiring Change through Empowerment”.  The Executive shared the goals and objectives for the club for the year.  While BPW has a long history and legacy and our Executive has promised to apply that legacy with a modern day twist and continue to build and evolve as the needs of membership evolve.  They were inspired by membership at the planning meeting and hope to empower members and guests through the dinner meetings, award winning mentorship program, young BPW events, etc.  The club will continue to develop the professional and leadership potential of women in Calgary through education, awareness, advocacy, and mentoring while creating a supportive and engaging environment.Our dinner speaker, Sophie Serafino, a Pop Singer, Violinist and Songwriter is a world renowned performer. Sophie has performed around the globe, she’s worked with pop stars and dignitaries.  In 2011 she relocated to Alberta! Using her music as a catalyst, Sophie shared how she attended International Women’s Day and had a vision to make change and support marginalized women through music. She launched the Every Woman Foundation – inspired to show the world and other women that women’s issues aren’t just for those with hairy legs and Birkenstocks.  The Every Woman Foundation has a variety of programs: Every Woman Festival, outreach programs, group music classes, education, and Every Women music on I-tunes (proceeds going towards AMMA Embracing the World Program).  http://www.everywomanfoundation.ca/Sophie and the Every Woman Foundation are asking, “How can we counteract the lifestyle and damaging messages portrayed in media?”  On October 4^th EWF will be screening the film, Miss Representation. The film eexplores the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence in America, and challenges the media’s limited portrayal of what it means to be a powerful woman. Hope to see you there!
http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/screening-of-miss-representation-a-documentary-film-tickets-11157094169?utm_campaign=new_eventv2&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eb_email&utm_term=eventurl_text