Membership Luncheons

Join us for a monthly luncheon meeting of the general membership. Usually held on the first Thursday of the month at Parkshore Grill, we have a fast paced hour that includes a speaker on a topic relevant to working women and a little business while we enjoy a delicious lunch. Guests are welcome but advance reservations are recommended.

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Signature Events

Vital to our mission for women’s workplace equity through advocacy, education and information are events enjoyed by the larger Tampa Bay Area community like our Unhappy Hour observance of Equal Pay Day in March, our Working Women’s Forum this coming April and our annual celebration of Women’s Equality Day in August.

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Become A Member

Do you support equity for all working women? Join BPW and help us fulfill our mission of equity for all working women through advocacy, education and connections. With an annual membership cost of $120*  you can participate in leadership programs, engage with our public policy platform, and enjoy local and statewide networking. *student and retiree memberships are available.

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Join us next week as we “Go Red” for our February luncheon, in awareness of American Heart Month. Our guest speaker, Courtney Burt, Vice President of Community Impact for the American Heart Association in Tampa Bay, will discuss how to reduce the risks of cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death for women. We’ll learn more about how to recognize its symptoms, which don’t look the same for everyone. Our speakers will also share how to become a part of the “Go Red for Women” movement.

We are asking attendees to wear red to show your support and awareness.

Our luncheon speaker will be Courtney Burt. Courtney serves as the Vice President of Community Impact for the American Heart Association in Tampa Bay. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Health from the University of South Florida and a Master of Jurisprudence in Healthcare Compliance from Stetson College of Law. With over 20 years of experience in Public Health, Government Relations, Advocacy, Community Development, and Health Education, Courtney is a dedicated leader in driving meaningful change.

At the American Heart Association, Courtney oversees initiatives that address critical health determinants across five priority areas: improving heart health for women, enhancing cardiac emergency preparedness, reducing tobacco and vaping use, tackling chronic health conditions, and promoting overall community health and well-being. Through her leadership, these efforts empower individuals and communities in Tampa Bay and beyond to live longer, healthier lives.

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If you like the programming, scholarships and grants of BPW/St. Petersburg – Pinellas, please consider donating to our general fund help us underwrite our valuable programming.

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Member Sponsors

The following members made this site possible through their financial support. You can visit their websites by clicking on their logo below.

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About BPW

Over 100 Years Strong

While mobilizing for World War I, the U.S. Government recognized the need for a cohesive group to coordinate identification of women’s available skills and experience.

Learn More About the History of BPW
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About BPW

BPW Florida – There From The Start

The Florida Federation of Business and Professional Womens Clubs, Inc. was one of the first statewide BPW organizations in existence and continues to unite local organizations by setting our public policy platform, supporting the development of new and existing local organizations and creating opportunities for members to connect with like minded individuals from around the state of Florida.

Visit BPW / Florida
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About BPW

Locally Our Organization Started in the 1960s

Our state federation, BPW/Florida may have started at the beginning but our local was founded in 1966 as Mid-Day BPW because we met for lunch instead of the evening like most clubs.

Click to see our list of past Presidents

Your 2024-2025 Leadership Team

DEI and Affirmative Action

 

Understanding the nuances that differentiate Employment Equity (EE) and Affirmative Action (AA) is essential in creating a diverse, inclusive, and fair workplace. Although interconnected, these concepts have unique applications and implications.

 

Employment Equity provides equal opportunities, allowing everyone to thrive regardless of background or personal characteristics. This principle ensures everyone has the same access to career progression and personal development, eliminating discriminatory practices that might hamper their growth.

 

Conversely, Affirmative Action is a proactive policy to increase workplace and educational opportunities for demographic groups historically underrepresented in leadership and professional roles. AA is a countermeasure to systemic biases and prejudices, supporting those consistently deprived of fair and equal treatment.

 

It’s crucial to comprehend the seven pillars of diversity that underpin these principles and ensure their successful implementation:

 

    1. Access: Guaranteeing equal opportunities for all individuals.
    2. Attitude: Fostering a positive, accepting mindset towards differences.
    3. Choice: Ensuring individuals have the freedom to express their unique characteristics.
    4. Partnerships: Building solid relationships based on mutual respect and understanding.
    5. Communication: Encouraging open dialogue about diversity and inclusion.
    6. Policy: Implementing guidelines that uphold diversity and fairness.
    7. Opportunities: Creating equal chances for personal and professional growth.

 

As we strive to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion, we must address three significant barriers:

 

  1. Unconscious bias: Tackling the often invisible prejudices that can unfairly influence decisions.
  2. Lack of representation: Increasing the presence of underrepresented groups in all areas and levels of the organization.
  3. Privilege: Recognizing and mitigating some individuals’ advantages over others.

 

Lastly, it’s essential to note the connection between Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and Affirmative Action. While DEI is a broad framework that aims to create an environment where everyone feels valued, Affirmative Action is a set of actions implemented to address historical and ongoing discrimination. DEI often encompasses Affirmative Action strategies as part of its toolkit, aiming to create a society where opportunities are genuinely equal. Together, DEI and Affirmative Action form the front line in the battle against structural barriers and the drive toward a more inclusive society.

BPW Florida Public Policy Platform

BPW/FL supports public policies that:
• ensure pay equity and equal employment opportunities for all women
• promote opportunities for women-owned businesses
• promote affordable, quality dependent care
• promote Social Security and retirement reform options benefiting women
• guarantee a workplace free from harassment and discrimination

BPW/FL supports public policies that:
• support the expansion of affordable care, including Medicaid, in Florida
• support funding and initiatives that cover women’s health care needs
• ensure women’s access to all health care and family planning needs, including full access to all forms of reproductive health services, education, and prescriptions

BPW/FL supports public policies that:
• promote free and fair elections
• are aimed at expanding voters’ access to the polls
• are designed to protect the right of all American citizens to vote in fairly drawn
legislative districts