Coshocton BPW meets
COSHOCTON – Coshocton Business and Professional Women (BPW) met Sept. 17, at Grace UMC with 15 members and 10 guests. Guests included Allison Hammond, Shellie Unger, Teri Helmick, Mary Tracy, Christi Hondel, Dawn Helmick, Joyce Layman, Robin Snider, Patty Thompson and Nancy Clemens.
Tomma Bordenkircher read the BPW/OH Legislative Platform, which includes the Alice Paul Equal Rights Amendment and statements on Civil Rights, Economic Equity, Dependent Care, Victim Rights and Health. She also gave a brief biography on suffragist leader Alice Paul who fought for passage of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote.
BPW members Amanda Chaney and Vicki Laudick addressed the topic of Human Trafficking when it was announced that the guest speaker was not able to attend. They stated that the FBI considers Northwest Ohio one of the top recruiting areas for underage prostitution. Nationwide FBI stings have found trafficked children in Ohio, with Toledo ranking fourth in total children freed. A recent study released by the Ohio Study Commission on Human Trafficking estimated that 1,000 children ages 12-17 are being trafficked in Ohio. In some cases pimps threaten the lives of family members to get the children into prostitution while the child is living at home and going to school. Unfortunately the victims are being prosecuted for prostitution instead of being helped. Legislation and funding is needed to help these victims.
Tomma Bordenkircher announced the Coshocton County Farm Bureau would again co-sponsor Meet the Candidate’s with Coshocton BPW at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, at the Coshocton County Career Center. Ken Smailes, WTNS Radio will be the Moderator.
National Business Women’s Week (NBWW) is Oct. 21-27. Several members will carpool to the 33rd Annual Tri-State Ecumenical at the Steubenville Country Club on Sunday, Oct. 21 to kick-off the week. A representative from each state (OH, PA and WV) will give a 5-minute sermon on the theme, “She Shall Be Called Woman.”
Members will also carpool to the Region 4 Meeting on Saturday, Oct. 27,to closeout NBWW.
Members voted for Woman of the Year by secret ballot. The winner will be surprised at the next meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 22, at the Elks. Cost is $16 and the public is invited. Call Doris Parkhill at 740-622-7798 to make reservations.
BPW’s mission is to achieve equity for all women in the workplace through advocacy, education and information. Membership is open to men and women, employed and unemployed. For information contact Liz Herrell at 740-294-0199 or at coshoctonbpw@gmail.com.
Category: Clubs & Organizations
