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Special Programs

Bozeman BPW holds special programs to build new professional skills, highlight national events and honor outstanding professional women.


Professor Kay Chafey receiving 2008 Woman of Achievement award from member and Mayor Kaaren Jacobson

Kathleen Chafey originated from Arizona and has dedicated the past 30 yeas to improving public health and education in Montana. Kay earned a B.S. in Nursing, an M.S. in Public Health Nursing, and a PHD in Developmental Psychology, with an emphasis in moral development. Throughout this time she served two years in South America with the Peace Corps, advanced her skills as a staff member with the University of California San Francisco Medical Center, and engaged in multiple public service programs. Kay has earned numerous accolades including the Betty Coffey  Award for the development of a woman-centric academic program, the Jo Eleanor Elliott Leadership Award, and has received over 12 million dollars in grants to support initiatives for women. Currently serving as President of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Kay continues to dedicate her knowledge, experience and skills to helping women advance in education, business, athletics and public service.
 

 
Heather Miller and Sydney Rick, Young Careerists for 2008

Lindsey VanHemelryck, MT BPW Young Careerist, 2006 and Alice Meister, MT BPW Woman of Achievement, 2006, at Great Falls State Convention, 4/29/06


Darla Joyner, Woman of Achievement; Kathy Hanpa, Young Careerist; Tiffani Leigland, Montana Travel - Employer of the Year - State Convention, 2004, Shelby

Individual Development

BPW's Individual Development program (IDP) is a great way to learn negotiation, communication and leadership skills. The program is also designed to help conquer the fear of public speaking. Members critique one another's skills and offer supportive, constructive advice to help participants improve in these areas.
 

Employer of the Year

To recognize employers who have demonstrated through their policies and actions a commitment to the development and advancement of women in the workplace. See the attached form for nominations.

Equal Pay Day

Each spring BPW sponsors a program to bring attention to BPW's number one issue: Fair Pay. Due to the gender wage gap, working women currently earn 73 cents compared to the dollar earned by their male counterparts and BPW is working to eliminate this inequity. April 22, 2008 is the next Equal Pay Day. Click the attached Press Release, and List of Sponsors.

Young Careerist

For the young professional just starting her career, this program helps "rising stars" build the skills needed to advance their careers. From leadership skills to management techniques, BPW's Young Careerist program empowers young women between the ages of 21 and 35 to succeed in today's workplace.

The Bozeman 2007 Young Careerist is Marie McSpadden who worked at Kennedy American Mortgage.

Woman of Achievement

At the local and state levels, BPW selects a distinguished professional woman to receive the Woman of Achievement Award, recognizing the accomplishments of exceptional women for setting new standards of excellence and new levels of success. Click here for Instructions and click here for Nominations form.

The Bozeman Woman of Achievement for 2007 is Holly Brown, District Judge for Gallatin County. Click here for the remarks presented by Dorothy Bradley on February 28, 2007. Holly also won the Montana BPW Woman of Achievement at the Montana BPW state convention in Bozeman on May 19, 2007.

National Business Women's Week

Held during the third week in October, this national event celebrates the achievements of business and professional women around the country. Bozeman BPW holds a special program meeting featuring a notable speaker. They also recognize businesses who promote women, in a full page advertisement in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle last done in October 2007; click here to see it. See the business names who support us listed on the website under sponsors.

Member Profiles

Members get opportunities to tell the members about their professions or businesses, and how they got there. Heather Jernberg, Partner/Consultant, with Boreas Group LLC, is sharing her experiences below.

Educational Scholarships

One of the best kept secrets is the opportunity for educational scholarships from BPW.  The national BPW/USA Foundation offers scholarships to women 25 and over with critical financial need who are seeking the education necessary for entry or re-entry into, or advancement within the work force. Check out the BPW/USA web site at www.bpwusa.org. Career Advancement Scholarships applications are due in mid April each year. Bozeman BPW will offer a $500 scholarship in 2008.

BPW/USA National Conference

Once a year, members come together for a national conference. In past years, conferences have been held in San Francisco, Honolulu and Boston and have featured such keynote speakers as Vice President Al Gore, financial expert and best selling author Suze Orman, NBC News correspondent Andrea Mitchell and Texas Governor Ann Richards. The conference has a different focus each year, depending on the most pressing subjects of the day for professional women. Speakers and workshops are all intended to bring you up to speed on the most effective management techniques, career strategies and business know-how.

The last BPW/USA National Conference was held July 19-22 in Reno, Nevada. Pat Simmons, Montana BPW state president from Bozeman. 
Pat is receiving Legislative award from national president, Nancy Jackson.

The next conference is in Atlanta, Georgia in July, 2008.

Montana BPW State Convention

State Convention 2007, was May 17-19 at the Holiday Inn in Bozeman, Montana.  Bozeman's Holly Brown was named the Montana BPW Woman of Achievement. She is Gallatin County District Judge. Several Bozeman members were elected officers of the state organization: Sally Babcock, Kara Cotter, Kathy Russell, Pat Simmons. Here are some pictures from Fun Night - what a blast!:
 
 
Casey Magan, Norma Boetel, Sydney Rick, Tracey Jette, Candace Elser, Lindsey Van Hemelryck, Darlene Siedschlaw

Here are more serious pictures:

Jennae Sullivan-Liberty, Alice Meister-Woman of Achievement Committee giving award
 
Kathy Russell, Sally Babcock     Marian Steffes Workshop Intro

Kaaren Jacobson, Bozeman Mayor Elect & member Welcoming

The 2008 State Convention will be hosted by the Bozeman BPW in Bozeman. Go to www.montanabpw.org for the agenda and registration information.


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Bozeman BPW is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization devoted to achieving equity for all women in the workplace through advocacy, education and information.


Bozeman BPW
P.O. Box 644
Bozeman, MT 59771