Dear BPW, dear readers,
We are pleased to send you the BPW Switzerland spring newsletter, with information about current projects, and events related to BPW.
We stand with Ukraine
Terrible images of destruction of unimaginable proportions are reaching us from Ukraine. We are shocked by these acts of war. We, BPW Switzerland, stand in solidarity with all the women and their families who are suffering from this war. Our thoughts are with the women who are enduring in besieged cities like Mariupol and fighting for their survival. We are also on the side of the women who have fled in large numbers, in the hope that they will soon be able to return to their homeland. We condemn the war in the strongest possible terms and hope that it will end soon. Together with BPW International, we stand up against any act of war, since it is always women who pay a high price, no matter which side of the war they are on.
If you want to provide financial aid, the Executive Committee of BPW Switzerland recommends supporting the humanitarian work being done through existing structures, such as the International Red Cross. Despite the war, these organizations are able to continue to provide aid on the ground through their networks. The BPW Switzerland Executive Committee will also make its donation to the International Red Cross.
We, the BPW of Switzerland, are also called upon to help women who have fled to Switzerland to integrate. For example, make yourself, your language skills, and your network available for local projects. Or be a point of contact, an easily accessible "open and safe house" for a coffee and a conversation and then later a mentor or coach for integration into the world of work. The BPW Switzerland Executive Committee thanks you for not standing by and watching, but living up to the values of BPW and showing humanity. We at BPW Switzerland are also thinking about how we can best support Ukrainian women here in Switzerland. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please get in touch. We welcome any good and pragmatic ideas.
75 years of BPW Switzerland
You may have already heard or read on social media: BPW Switzerland is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. BPW Switzerland was founded at the Hotel Königsstuhl in Zurich in the presence of 29 women on 11 September, 1947. Thirteen women joined BPW Switzerland and elected the Horgen factory owner Elisabeth Feller (1910–1973) as the first president. As an employer, Elisabeth Feller lobbied for "Equal pay for equal work" for years. The successful entrepreneur was one of the first women on the board of directors of major banks and insurance companies. She also advocated resolutely for a generous development and refugee policy. Two years later, BPW Switzerland was officially accepted into the international association at the International Congress in London.
Today, 75 years after its foundation, we are celebrating the anniversary at the Assembly of Delegates in Lausanne on 11 June, 2022. We can look back on 75 years of a strong network, 75 years of commitment to the visibility of women in business, politics, and society. We are publishing messages, good wishes, and anecdotes from members and affiliated organizations on our website and on our social media channels. This year's Courrier, the BPW Switzerland association magazine, will be published as an anniversary edition in September 2022.
We are happy to be celebrating this special anniversary year with all of you – aware that we must not rest on our laurels after the past 75 years, but continue to be committed on a daily basis: for a strong network, for the self-determination of women in all areas of life.
BPW International launches the BPW.directory
BPW International has launched the BPW International Business and Services Directory, BPW.directory. BPW.directory is a service as a web application, free of charge for all members and available in five languages. BPW can find all the information about registration, a step-by-step guide, FAQs, etc. on the BPW International website at this link. BPW International invites all members to create their own profile and to use, test, and review the app! Users are asked to send reviews with their suggestions for improvement to admin@bpw.directory - the reviews can be taken into account in the final adjustments until 30 April, 2022.
BPW International sends out a newsletter at regular intervals. If you would like to receive it, you can sign up here.
BPW Europe
The BPW European Conference and Youth Symposium will be taking place in Iceland from 27 to 29 May, 2022. BPW from all over Switzerland will be taking part. You can find the whole weekend program in charming surroundings here. It's not too late to register.
New corporate and collective memberships at BPW Switzerland
BPW Switzerland is pleased to welcome the two VINCI Energies brands Actemium and Axians as corporate members from 1 April, 2022. With this strategic partnership, they are working together to strengthen the position of women in business and in society. Furthermore, the partnership is intended to create a boost for women in scientific and technical fields.
The club evenings and other networking events, as well as further training, mentoring, and specialist events are open to the employees of BPW corporate members. You can find out more about corporate membership at BPW Switzerland here.
The Central Executive Committee has recently welcomed the network WyberNet - gay professional women as a collective member of BPW Switzerland. WyberNet is a network of committed, lesbian employees, specialists, and managers from the private sector and administration, as well as self-employed entrepreneurs. Their core concerns are mutual support, professional input, social issues, and activities with a public presence.
The club evenings and other networking events, as well as further training, mentoring, and specialist events are open to members of collective members.
Alliance F launches petition “Political rights also apply to mothers”
Last week, the highest court in the country handed down a controversial verdict that discriminated against female members of parliament on all political levels throughout Switzerland. Kathrin Bertschy (National Councillor and Co-President of alliance F), had her appeal dismissed by the Federal Supreme Court. alliance F has therefore launched a petition: "Political rights also apply to mothers." The whole newsletter with the background of the petition can be found here.
Upcoming Events
Assembly of delegates and 75th Anniversary of BPW Switzerland on 11 June, 2022
This year's Assembly of Delegates will be taking place on 11 June at the Aquatis Hotel in Lausanne. Alongside the Assembly of Delegates, there will be an alumnae meeting for club presidents and past presidents, a workshop morning, and a glitzy BPW Switzerland anniversary celebration on the evening of 11 June, 2022. An exciting programme for the partners will also be organised. The invitations will be sent out in the coming weeks. We look forward to you reserving the date and celebrating with us!
BPW Young - Young National Day on 30 April, 2022
BPW Switzerland, BPW Club Lenzburg, and BPW Club Zürich cordially invite you to the national event for Young BPW Switzerland on 30 April, 2022. The all-day event will begin in the morning in the Stapferhaus Lenzburg with a guided tour of the exhibition "Geschlecht – Jetzt entdecken" ("Gender – Discover Now"). After a lunch at the Stapferhaus, the participants will head on to the Impact Hub in Viadukt Bogen D in Zurich. During various "Fireside Chats", the participants will be able to exchange views on different topics.
Call for Speakers
We are still looking for speakers for the Fireside Chats on the afternoon of 30 April. This is a great chance to present your business idea, how you adjusted your vision throughout the ramp-up process, talk about your transition from corporate to start-up, or even share your co-founding failure story with the audience and engage in an interactive dialogue. Speakers will enjoy free admission to the afternoon event at Impact Hub incl. refreshments and are invited to join the "Girls Night Out".
Please fill out the form if you would like to register. We plan to announce the speakers and the final program by 15.04.2022. Click here for the "Call for Speakers".
Online Empowerment Talk on 28 April, 2022
What is the secret of successful entrepreneurs and businesswomen? They dare more than others, are visionary thinkers, cultivate a strong network, do not adhere to conventions, have an extremely disciplined work ethic, make themselves the center of attention, and have a convincing message.
For the next Empowerment Talk in the series of online events for the campaign "women to the executive levels", Dr. Jana Lucas – a non-fiction author, innovation consultant, and co-president of the BPW Club Basel – will be presenting her book "Die geheimen Pionierinnen der Wirtschaft – Außergewöhnliche Frauen, die unsere Wirtschaftswelt nachhaltig geprägt haben" ("The secret pioneers in business – extraordinary women who have had a lasting impact on our business world") and taking you on an exciting journey through these extraordinary business pioneers. Inspiring and with practical, actionable input.
The event will take place from 12 noon to 1 pm online via Zoom in German. To register, click here.
DACH Conference 2022: Save the Date!
This year's DACH Conference for BPW from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland will be held in St. Gallen from 23 to 25 September, 2022. Workshops, keynotes, and an exciting supporting program with the theme "Be the heroine of your own life" will be taking place over the course of two days. The exact program will be put up on our website.
Last but not least...
The Executive Committee of BPW Switzerland warmly congratulates Claudine Esseiva on her election as Member of the Cantonal Parliament of the Canton of Bern and wishes Claudine all the best in the performance of her duties!
We wish you all happy spring weeks and look forward to hopefully meeting you at one of the events soon!
With kind regards,
The Central Executive Committee and the Central Office of BPW Switzerland
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