Pictured above at the 2011 Fall Conference, from Left to Right. Rita Hummel-Crowe- Vice President & Membership Chair, Kathryn Reall -President Elect, Toni Koenigsberg - President, Melissa Harr- Secretary, Marlene Spielman -Treasurer. Please visit the Leadership page for Committee chairs and our contact information.
Happy Spring- Welcome to BPW Maryland! Thank you for visiting our website. If you are new to BPW please feel free to visit any of our "About Us" pages to learn more about who we are and what our organization does to help women succeed. You can find meetings and local information both in our "Calendar of Events" tab or check out our "Local Organizations" tab to find a meeting near you.
It's time once again for our ANNUAL STATE CONFERENCE! May 18-20 in Rockville!
Click here for all the details!
You're Invited!
Important Note to Current Members: If you are currently a member and visiting the site for your first time you can receive your log in information to the right. Click "Forgot my Password" then enter your email address associated with your BPW membership in the provided space. You will receive BOTH your temporary username and password in your email inbox shortly. It is automatically generated and sent to you. If you are unsure of your email address associated with your BPW membership please contact Rita Hummel Crowe, Membership Chair, for your membersip status and related email address that we have on file. Once you enter your username and password (to the right) you will have access to view, print, and contact members through our Online Membership Directory. You will also be able to change your username and password, renew your membership, update your profile and contact information, visit our helpful Partner Pages, register for events when available and view the members only resources which help you accomplish BPW leadership tasks as well as read information about women's equality, empowerment, and advancement news. It's all there!- So just roll up your sleeves and dig in to explore all the benefits of having your BPW membership online!
Founded in 1919, the National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. (BPW/USA) was the first national organization formed to promote equality for women in the workplace. In 2009, BPW/USA merged with the BPW Foundation (founded in 1956), and includes a network of over 12,000 workingwomen in hundreds of cities and towns across the country.
BPW/MD encompasses members from every profession and walk of life. Throughout the years, three major issues have shaped BPW/USA’s legislative agenda: elimination of gender discrimination in employment, the principle of equal pay, and the need for a comprehensive equal rights amendment.
Member Spotlight.....
Alicia Newman's Resume includes CIA, Multiple languages, caring for others and BPW.
By Mary Ellen Poole, Photo of Alicia picking up her conference materials duing the Fall 2011 Conference.
Laurel BPW Member since the early 1990's.
"I feel strongly that women underestimate themselves. BPW makes women feel secure about themselves. There is a great sense of friendship. BPW provides very good programs, including several which help to balance family and professional life."
Alicia wanted to be a government worker since she was a child. In high school she took Spanish and her Spanish teacher, as well as her English teacher, were instrumental in her going to college. Alicia was the Valedictorian of her high school graduating class. She received a scholarship to college where she majored in Spanish and minored in Slavic languages. She went to Emmanuel College in Boston, Massachusetts and did some graduate work at Middlebury College Vermont. She currently works for Partners In Care a non-profit group in Severna Park, MD.
Where was your first job?
Alicia interviewed and took a polygraph test for a job with the Department of Defense at Fort Meade, Laurel, MD. She was offered a job as a Spanish Linguist in 1962 and worked there for six years. She left in 1968 to care for her family. During those seven years she taught Spanish to pre-school children, was a home school teacher and volunteered as a Camp Fire Leader and staff member. In 1975 Alicia returned to the DOD as a Bulgarian Linguist. Her last ten years as a government worker, Alicia worked as a rep at the Departments of Energy and the Treasury, DEA, and the CIA. She was very happy at each of these jobs.
How did you find BPW?
"Barbara Clark introduced me to Laurel BPW in the early 1990's. I joined Laurel BPW and during those years, I also attended meetings at the Bowie BPW, Patuxent BPW, Baltimore BPW and College Park BPW. It was a great way to meet other members around the state and enjoy their programs."
Alicia knows how important it was to get involved. In Laurel BPW, she was president, vice president, treasurer and chair of fundraising. Alicia moved on to become a BPW/MD state officer. She was State President, First Vice President, Second Vice President and State Foundation chair.
She is currently chaplain at the state level. In her year as State President, her love of lighthouses was clear and front and center. The centerpieces at the luncheons and dinners were always colorful lighthouses.
One day, Alicia wants to go to Alaska.
She wants to travel more. She would like to visit Alaska and other parts of the United States. Other places she has visited are Hawaii, Korea, Taiwan and Eastern Europe. She has toured Savannah, Georgia and enjoyed taking a cooking class from Paula Deen and dining at her restaurant "The Lady and Sons".
How do you stay healthy?
"One of my favorite things to do is to walk along the ocean between 6 & 9 am. After that, the beach can be open for everyone else."
As for exercise, Alicia started out taking Jackie Sorenson Aerobics and then changed to Line Dancing. She also enjoyed Polka Dancing.
Alicia visits regularly with a chiropractor, allergist and a gluten free support group.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Alicia loves to read. Her favorite books are mysteries and suspense novels. As a young girl, her favorite book was "The Count of Monte Cristo". Today, she likes books by John Grisham, David Baldacci, Jeffery Deaver, Sue Grafton, Robert Parker, Harlan Coben and Michael Connelly. Alicia also enjoyed books by Lisa See, Geraldine Brooks and Philippa Gregory.
She is an active member of the Well-read Book Club of Bowie and an infrequent visitor at the Browseabout Book Club in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
Do you have favorite movies and TV shows?
Alicia recently enjoyed the movie "Descendants" with George Clooney and "Iron Lady" with Meryl Streep.
As for TV shows, she really liked "Damages" with Glenn Close and "24" with Kiefer Sutherland when they were on the air. Today, her favorites include NCIS, CSI and Blue Bloods.
Favorite color? Teal Myers Brigg ? ESTP
What are you most proud of?
"I am most proud of my two children and six grandchildren. I have a very supportive husband, a retiree from Goddard Space Flight Center."
Alicia's line "I will always be from Massachusetts!"
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