About Business and Professional Women Business and Professional Women/USA, founded in 1919, promotes equity for all women in the workplace through advocacy, education and information. With 25,000 members in more than 1600 Local Organizations represented in every congressional district in the country, BPW/USA includes among its members women and men of every age, race, religion, political party and socio-economic background. For more information about our National Assocation: BPW/USA National Website National Membership Benefits Our local chapter BPW Madison was founded in December 1919, and one of the first in the country. Today, BPW Madison has over 50 active members with more joining monthly. We are proud to say that 80% of our members have retained their membership on a yearly basis. Locally, we meet on the third Tuesday of the month at the conveniently located downtown hotel, DoubleTree Hotel. Meetings start at 5:30 with an informal networking reception. Dinner is served at 6:00 pm with an introduction and welcome by the president. The monthly speaker begins at 6:45 and our program is adjourned by 7:45 pm. 2007-2008 Officers President: Linda Jackson Linda Jackson has lived a life of assumption -- the assumption that women can do and be what they want. Her grandmother owned and ran the local telephone company (in the days when women didn't own and run businesses). Her aunt was a social worker in the China Town district of San Francisco when married women weren't supposed to hold these positions (but she did it anyway). As a "Daddy's Girl", she fixed cars and could run most any power tool to build and fix things around the house. Linda was one of the first women band directors in central Wisconsin in the mid-70's. She taught in Marshall, WI for about 20 years and spent the last 6 years as the Local Teacher Union President as well. Since becoming an entrepreneur and a business owner, Linda has continued to follow her personal thread of education and empowerment. She will bring her leadership skills and her deep-seated belief in women to the office of President. 1st Vice President: Ann Sinfield After working in libraries and museums in California and Michigan, and earning graduate degrees from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Ann moved to Madison in 2004 to join the team at the Chazen Museum of Art (formerly the Elvehjem) on the UW-Madison campus. As a museum and university professional, she has strong ties to local cultural organizations. Over the next year these connections will be helpful in developing engaging programs for the BPW membership. In addition to arts and cultural programs, a variety of speakers will be brought in to participate in conversations about social and political issues, professional development, and women's health topics. Ann looks forward to serving members of this organization, who continue to help improve the lives of women. 2nd Vice President: Abbey Finley Abbey, a native to the area, hit the road after college and landed in Bozeman, Montana. It was there that she was first introduced to BPW. Upon returning to Madison in 2005, she found BPW-Madison and has been a member ever since. When asked what drew her to BPW, Abbey said "I really enjoy the programs the Madison BPW chapter puts on because I always feel like I've learned something new at our meetings. I would love to get more involved with BPW because I believe it's a wonderful organization, and after a year as Recording Secretary, I am ready to move up to membership." She is a Marketing Specialist and Mortgage Lender for Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation. Recording Secretary: Nancy McCulley Nancy became a member of BPW in Madison more than twenty years ago when she was searching for personal growth opportunities, and seeking connections to women who cared about the issues that mattered to her. She has previously held office at Local and State levels and continues to be actively involved in the governance of the organization. As a parent, an advocate and a City of Madison employee, Nancy is well informed on issues that affect the lives of women in our community. Nancy is BPW/WI's representative to the Wisconsin Women's Network; a past BPW Young Careerist, and a past winner of the National Individual Development Program Public Speaking award. Treasurer: Sheila Mir Sheila joined BPW two years ago because she had heard a lot about the organization and what it stood for. As the BPW treasurer she is looking for an opportunity to get more involved in this dynamic organization where she can use her financial experience to help navigate a strong future for our organization. When asked why she joined BPW, Sheila responded "I am a strong believer in women's rights and wanted to join an organization that supports this cause." Sheila is currently a Senior Mortgage Consultant at Blomberg Mortgage Group. Previous experience includes marketing and business administration. Before moving back to Madison in 2005 she lived in Chicago and worked at the University of Chicago Hospital as Administrator of Aesthetic Surgery in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.