GREATER CONSHOHOCKEN BPW

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Conshohocken Calling…… The Official Newsletter of the Greater Conshohocken Business & Professional Women’s Organization

When: Monday, December 14, 2020 7:00 –Business Meeting 7:30 pm – Program

Where: ZOOM Meeting (President Donna will send out details for the on-line meeting closer to the date)

Program: Fun and Games; Selection of Ugly Sweater Contest Winner

UGLY SWEATER CONTEST - GC BPW DECEMBER FACEBOOK AND MEETING You know that holiday outfit you pull out and wear once a year? You know, the one

your family says, “You’re not wearing that, are you?” Well, get on that sweater, sweatshirt, etc. and pose for a picture. That’s right…our GC BPW December Facebook Contest is….an Ugly Sweater Contest! Send your Ugly Sweater picture to dmaj0320@gmail.com no later than Saturday, December 12th to make sure it is posted on Facebook for judging. Then wear your ugly holiday outfit to our December ZOOM meeting, when members will vote on the winner.

NATIONAL UGLY XMAS SWEATER DAY –DECEMBER 18TH Have the holidays let you down? Do you feel like the magic and mystique of Christmas

has faded with maturity and age? Well fear not my fine friends. National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day is here to save you. National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day is a day of light hearted fun and a day to be yourself and not that buttoned up corporate version of yourself you have grown to despise. Most importantly, National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day is a day to make the holidays fun...the way they were intended to be! So, this National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day, keep the preppy office blouse in your closet, and whatever you do, don't even think about taking your suit to work. All you need to wear is your ugly Christmas sweater because this is your day, this is our day, this is National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Hi Everyone:

Hope you all had a safe and Happy Thanksgiving. I want to thank everyone who was able to attend our November meeting. Our guest speaker Michelle from Twilight Wish was wonderful. She shared a number of stories and gave us background on how Twilight Wish was started. Hopefully if an opportunity presents itself, we can help a Senior Citizen in our area. If anyone knows of a senior citizen in our area who could use some help, please let me know.

Mary and I were able to deliver the 12 Veterans fleece blankets that Mary made to the Mary E. Walker House. If anyone would like to reimburse Mary for the materials, please contact her. We also delivered pens, puzzle books, calendars, nail files, a small bedside fan, flip flops, socks and other items that are on the Wish List that we can find on their website. In January and February, I would like to put together some packages from their Wish List: https://www.coatesville.va.gov/giving/wish_list.asp

We have some really great programs coming up in the New Year and I am really ready for a new start.

2020 has been a really challenging year for all of us. If you are like me we have had fun family times with the marriage of my niece Allie, sad times with family loss, happy times with friends and family, true mentally challenging times with completely changing from going to work every day and getting out of the house to working from home and creating a more well rounded office, pushing myself to get out and get fresh air, and not letting myself get too stir crazy by myself in the house. Last being able to see my nephew Joe achieve one of his dreams of signing his commitment letter with UNC to play baseball.

Our local has sadly lost a lifelong member and mentor, Louise Hepburn this year, we have seen new members come into our group and long-term members return to our group. We’ve gone from having the chance to see each other in person, to having our meetings via Zoom (gotta say wasn’t sure if I would like this, but it is great seeing all of you and having conversations with each other), we’ve had family losses and injuries, but we have also had new beginnings with the birth of Alix’ son Charlie.

Life goes on and with each challenge and change, we have met them head on and moved onto the next phases.

Wishing you all a Happy Holiday season and a wonderful New Year. Stay safe, healthy and happy this season and see you for our December meeting. President Donna

LAST CHANCE! MICHAEL KORS BAG DRAWING

Greater Conshohocken BPW’s first drawing of the year is a Michael Kors bag (see

picture). Please return your ticket stubs and money to President Donna prior to the

December 14th meeting. The donation is $5.00 per ticket and the drawing will be held at our

December 14th Zoom meeting. For more information or tickets, email dmaj0320@gmail.com

GIVINGTUESDAY - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2020 GivingTuesday, created in 2012, has grown into a global movement that inspires

hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. Whether it’s making someone smile or helping a neighbor or stranger, every act of generosity counts and everyone has something to give. On this day, please consider giving to our State Project, Twilight Wish or our PA BPW Foundation.

GC BPW SUPPORTS COLONIAL NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL AGAIN THIS YEAR Colonial Neighborhood Council serves youth, the elderly, unemployed, underemployed

and disadvantaged individuals and families in Borough of Conshohocken and Plymouth and Whitemarsh Townships. Every year, GC BPW sponsors needy families for the holidays. In past years, we have supported 2-3 families with $100.00 each for the holidays. This year, we will donate $200 to CNC. Thank you, members for again supporting this worthy organization during these tough times.

INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER DAY – DECEMBER 5, 2020 https://www.unv.org/

International Volunteers Day (IVD), is an international observance that was mandated by the UN General Assembly in 1985. The Day is an opportunity for us all to promote volunteerism, encourage governments to support volunteer efforts and recognize volunteer contributions to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at local, national and international levels.

Over the last months, as the COVID 19 pandemic has ravaged across the world, volunteers have been at the forefront of medical, community and societal responses. The COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan by the WHO identifies community volunteers as key stakeholders for risk communication and community engagement. This indicates the valuable and the great effort the WHO believes volunteers is doing during COVID-19. This year's IVD campaign will thank volunteers worldwide and also shed light on the difficulties and needs of volunteers during the pandemic. Showing the impact of volunteers in their communities during this crisis, we will reach to all corners of the globe with the message of Together We Can Through Volunteering.

Thank you to all of the Conshohocken BPW members, for your hard work and dedication to BPW and to all of your volunteer commitments!

HOMELESS PERSONS’ MEMORIAL DAY (HPMD) – DECEMBER 21st https://nationalhomeless.org

Since 1990, the National Coalition for the Homeless has sponsored HPMD every year on the 1st day of winter, the longest night of the year, to bring attention to the tragedy of homelessness and to remember those who have died while living without a permanent home. On HPMD communities across the country come together to remember those who have died without stable housing, to reflect on the shocking inhumanity of homelessness, and to call for meaningful policy changes to ensure that no life is lived or lost in homelessness.

PENNSYLVANIA HOMELESSNESS STATISTICS - www.usich.gov/homelessness-statistics/pa As of January 2019, PA had an estimated 13,199 experiencing homelessness on any

given day. Of that Total, 1,569 were family households, 857 were Veterans, 737 were unaccompanied young adults (aged 18-24), and 1,863 were individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. 2017-2018 public school data reported to the U.S. Dept. of Education shows that an estimated 30,624 public school students experienced homelessness over that year.

REMEMBER OUR HOMELESS VETERANS http://www.nchv.org/background.cfm

The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) is recognized as the nation’s leading authority on homeless veterans’ issues by several agencies and departments of the U.S. government, and has worked in partnership on projects with VA, DOL, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. NCHV has helped develop and increase funding for homeless veteran-specific programs, and helped write and worked to ensure passage of the hallmark Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Assistance Act of 2001 and the Jeff Miller and Richard Blumenthal Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2016.

Female Veterans Are Fastest Growing Segment of Homeless Veteran Population www.Military.com

When you think of homeless veterans, you may not immediately think of female vets. But the Department of Veterans Affairs says that women comprise the fastest-growing segment of the homeless veteran population. In its Report to Congress, HUD estimated that just over 40,000 veterans were homeless on a single night in January 2017. Of those, about 9% were women. From 2016 to 2017, the number of homeless female veterans increased by 7%, compared with 1% for their male counterparts. In a 2016 report, the National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans said the number of women identified by the program as homeless, or who accessed VA programs to end homelessness, tripled to 36,443 in a five-year period ending in 2015. That figure, according to the center, is projected to rise by about 9% to nearly 40,000 by 2025.

THE MARY E. WALKER HOUSE (MWH), COATESVILLE, PA

The MWH is a program of the Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service & Education Center that provides women veterans with transition residence while they are having difficulties in life and are without a home. The women veterans can stay while they get medical and mental health services, education, job development, budgetary skills, and assistance with VA benefits all in a safe, secure place to recover.

In honor of this year’s Veteran’s Day, President Donna, Mary and Rosie the Riveter delivered 12 hand sewn fleece blankets, as well as several bags of sundry items to Jennifer Lilly, Chief, Voluntary Service (seen in photo above with Donna and Mary) for the Mary E. Walker House residents. GC BPW will be conducting another collection for the MWH in January and February. More information will be in the January newsletter.

SENATE BILL 892 - ROSIE THE RIVETER CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL ACT OF 2019 PASSED AND SENT TO PRESIDENT Senate approves Congressional Gold Medal for (buckscountycouriertimes.com)

It's been almost 40 years since Mae Krier of Levittown started her quest to have the women who worked on the homefront during World War II receive recognition for their immense contributions to the war effort. Her never-give-up spirt finally paid off in November when the Senate unanimously approved the Congressional Gold Medal to all the "Rosie the Riveters" who made the planes, ships and other armaments during the war years in the early 1940s. The medal has been awarded by Congress since the Revolutionary War years to individuals and institutions who make great contributions to the nation.

This bill directs the Senate President pro tempore and the House Speaker to make appropriate arrangements for the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to Rosie the Riveter (i.e., any female individual who held employment or volunteered in support of the war efforts during World War II), in recognition of their contributions to the U.S. and the inspiration they have provided to ensuing generations. The medal shall be displayed at the National Museum of American History, which is urged to make the medal available for display at other locations associated with Rosie the Riveter.

Now that it has passed both the House and Senate, the bill authorizing the Congressional Gold Medal was sent to President Donald Trump for his signature on November 24, 2020.

NATIONAL PEARL HARBOR REMEMBRANCE DAY – DECEMBER 7TH National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is observed annually in the U.S. on December

7, to remember and honor the U.S. citizens who were killed in the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on December 7, 1941 which led to the U.S. declaring war on Japan the next day and thus entering World War II.

On Sunday morning, December 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service attacked the neutral U.S. at Naval Station Pearl Harbor near Honolulu, Hawaii, killing 2,403 Americans and injuring 1,178 others. The attack sank 4 U.S. Navy battleships and damaged 4 others. It also damaged 3 cruisers, 3 destroyers, and 1 minelayer. Aircraft losses were 188 destroyed and 159 damaged.

On Pearl Harbor Day, the American flag should be flown at half-staff until sunset to honor those who died as a result of the attack on U.S. military forces in Hawaii.

NATIONAL WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA DAY - DECEMBER 19, 2020 Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, their mission to

Remember, Honor and Teach is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 1,600 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad. HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA DAY 1. Lay or sponsor a wreath - WAA has Location Coordinators who can direct you to a local cemetery or memorial wall for a wreath-laying ceremony. You can also sponsor a wreath for both living and deceased members of the military. 2. Sponsor a dog tag - WAA has a program to help you make or sponsor a dog tag in honor of a deceased veteran. You don't literally make the dog tags, but you may provide the written sentiment that WAA will then place on the tags. The dog tag with the veteran’s name is included, and you can physically place it on the gravestone during the annual ceremonies. You also have the option of requesting the dog tag be sent to the location of your choice where someone else can place the tag for you. 3. Post your remembrance on social media - Release your inner poet with sentimental words about your loved one, living or dead. Post your remembrance with fond pictures on social media. Speak of your pride and your sadness because there are so many others who will get comfort from your words and images. You never know whose heart you will touch.

HUMAN RIGHTS DAY – DECEMBER 10TH - Human Rights Day | United Nations Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December - the day the United Nations

General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The UDHR is a milestone document that proclaims the inalienable rights which everyone is entitled to as a human being - regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Available in more than 500 languages, it is the most translated document in the world.

2020 Theme: Recover Better - Stand Up for Human Rights This year’s Human Rights Day theme relates to the COVID-19 pandemic and focuses on the

need to build back better by ensuring Human Rights are central to recovery efforts. We will reach our common global goals only if we are able to create equal opportunities for all, address the failures exposed and exploited by COVID-19, and apply human rights standards to tackle entrenched, systematic, and intergenerational inequalities, exclusion and discrimination. 10 December is an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of human rights in re-building the world we want, the need for global solidarity as well as our interconnectedness and shared humanity.

BILL OF RIGHTS DAY – DECEMBER 15TH The Bill of Rights are key amendments to the U.S. Constitution, that protect our individual rights.

On March 4, 1789, the U.S. Constitution was ratified by the 13 colonies. States and individuals were concerned that the Constitution did not properly cover and protect a number of individuals’ rights. The Constitution was signed by the original 13 states with the requirement, or understanding, that a Bill of Rights would be created, amending the new U.S. Constitution.

On September 25, 1789, the First U.S. Congress proposed to the state legislatures 12 Constitutional amendments; 10 amendments were added to the Constitution on December 15, 1791.

The Bill of Rights includes these Amendments: Amendment 1- Freedom of speech, press and religion Amendment 2 - The right to bear arms Amendment 3 - Protection of homeowners from quartering troops, except during war. Amendment 4 - Rights and protections against unreasonable search and seizure Amendment 5 - Rights of due process of law, protection against double jeopardy, self-incrimination Amendment 6 - Rights of a speedy trial by jury of peers and rights of accused Amendment 7 - Rights to trial by jury in civil cases Amendment 8 - Protection from cruel and unusual punishment, excessive bail Amendment 9 - Protection of rights not specified in the Bill of Rights Amendment 10 - States rights, power of the states

Of the 12 original amendments, Amendments # 1 and #2 did not pass. These dealt with the number of representatives to congress, and compensation to representatives. Had they passed, there would be over 6,000 congressmen today!!! On Bill of Rights Day, we hope you celebrate your American Citizenship, and spend a few minutes reflecting upon the freedoms that you enjoy. http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/December/billofrightsday.htm world

DECEMBER: A MONTH OF MULTICULTURAL HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS Do your friends and family celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or Three Kings

Day? Maybe they celebrate St. Lucia Day or Ramadan. Chances are your circle of friends include people who observe more than one of those events. Whether that is the case or not, December offers great opportunities for learning about our multicultural world.

Few months present the multicultural "teachable moments" that December does! The following multicultural events and celebrations are among those that will happen this year:

• Ramadan (Muslim) • Eid al-Fitr (Muslim) • Saint Nicholas Day (Christian) • Eid'ul-Adha (Muslim) • Fiesta of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Mexican) • St. Lucia Day (Swedish) • Hanukkah (Jewish) • Christmas Day (Christian) • Three Kings Day/Epiphany (Christian) • Boxing Day (Australian, Canadian, English, Irish) • Kwanzaa (African American) • Omisoka (Japanese) • Yule (Pagan) • Saturnalia (Pagan)

Whatever the holiday you observe, may you have a joyous celebration of the season!

SANTA’S LIST DAY – DECEMBER 4TH

Have you been good all year? Have you been Naughty? Or, have you been nice? Santa knows. Santa's Elves have been everywhere, checking up on people over the world, to see who has been naughty, and who has been nice. Thanks to the hard work of his elves, Santa Claus has two lists. The short list contains the names of a few people who have been naughty. A much longer list is filled with the names of people who have been good all year long. Which list are you on?

Origin of Santa's List Day: We have it on good authority, that this day was created at the North Pole. We interviewed

Santa, and a few of his top elves. They tell us that they strive to make the first draft of Santa's "Naughty" and "Nice" lists by this day. Then, they review and adjust it, all the way to Christmas eve.

Santa told us that doing extra chores, or something special to help out around the house, or to help others between now and Christmas, will get you off the "Naughty" list, and onto the "Nice" list.

NATIONAL REGIFTING DAY - DECEMBER 24, 2020 Reduce, Reuse, Recycle…..Regift

I knew about the 3 R’s – reduce, reuse and recycle, but I wasn’t aware that there was a fourth R- regifting! There are such things as good and bad regifting…read on…

The seven simple rules of regifting by Jesse Campbell on 12/10/2013 Regifting is a beautiful thing. Wait. Check that. Thoughtful regifting is a beautiful

thing. Smart regifting is a wonderful thing. Haphazard regifting is a bad thing, and a potentially dangerous one at that.

Regifting is a great way to show someone you’re thinking of them without spending any money. But that’s only if you do it right. And how do you regift the right way? By following the seven simple rules of regifting. 1. Never used. Just because you’ve hardly used that blender and you’ve still got the box lying

around doesn’t mean it’s okay to tape the whole thing up and stick it under the Christmas tree. Partially used gift cards aren’t a great idea either. Gifts should be unused, in their original packaging.

2. Light on sentimental value. Did someone knit you that hat? Then that’s your hat – don’t try to give it away. Particularly sentimental gifts aren’t very good candidates for regifting. If you really don’t want it, consider giving it to charity instead.

3. Nothing personalized. A book you don’t want could make a good present for someone else, but if the original giver inscribed some thoughtful words on the inside cover it becomes a slightly less good present for someone else. Basically, if your name’s on it anywhere, don’t regift it.

4. Have a reason. The most important rule of regifting is the central rule of all gifting – have a reason for giving what you give. Giving any gift just for the sake of giving it undermines the joy of giving. Only regift something that you believe the receiver would value and enjoy.

5. Consider the original giver. In general, people give you gifts because they think you’ll like them. There’s a universal understanding, however, that sometimes gift-giving misses the mark. So it’s not entirely surprising or shocking that sometimes you’ll give a gift that the receiver then turns around and gives to someone else. It happens. Still, it’s good form to make sure the regifted gift doesn’t end up some place where the original giver will see it – or worse, accidentally given back to the original giver as a regift.

6. Presentation matters. Regifting means saving on the cost of a new purchase, but it doesn’t mean you can skip the time it takes to make it look nice.

7. No shame. You don’t need to announce to anyone that you’re regifting (in fact, don’t), but at the same time don’t feel weird about it either. If you’ve followed all the other rules you’ve given someone something they’ll cherish more than you would have. And that’s a great thing!

The most important thing to remember is the spirit of why you’re doing what you’re doing. As long as there’s meaning, thought, and good intention to your giving you really can’t go wrong.

HUMBUG DAY-DECEMBER 21, 2020 Humbug Day is observed to express piled up frustrations of the holiday season. As

Christmas is very near, preparation for a joyful Christmas celebration needs a lot of patience. The to-do list keeps growing, making frustrations rise. To express this frustration, the word Bah…Humbug can be used on this day up to a maximum of twelve times. This day gives all people a chance to vent out their frustrations. AND IF THAT DOESN’T WORK, THERE IS ALWAYS…..

NATIONAL CHOCOLATE COVERED ANYTHING DAY – DECEMBER 16TH If you are a chocolate lover, December 16th is your day! If you could cover anything in

chocolate, what would it be? It’s National Chocolate Covered Anything Day! There are so many foods that are improved by covering them in chocolate, we do not have time to list them all. So, go ahead, indulge, as this day is a chocolate lovers dream come true.

OUR GET WELL WISHES TO BERNADETTE MULVEY

WHO IS RECOVERING FROM A BROKEN ARM

DATES TO REMEMBER 12/07 Pearl Harbor Day 12/10 Chanukah begins 12/14 Holiday Party 12/19 National Wreaths Across America Day 12/25 Christmas Day 01/01/21 New Year’s Day

HAPPY DECEMBER BIRTHDAY TO…. Jessica DeLuise – December 6

Marie Sweeney – December 13

Susan Parsons Knab – December 28