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June 2021 BPWNC Newsletter
 

Wednesday, June 16, 2021 at 6 p.m.

 

June ZOOM MEETING

 

Your Fundamental Freedoms. Will ACLU continue to save them?

 
An evening with Ashley Morris, ORGANIZING DIRECTOR at the ACLU of Northern California.

Ashley sets the vision and strategy of the organizing program, which includes volunteer and leadership development and community and activist engagement.

In her past work with the ACLU of Northern California, Ashley focused on passing and implementing California’s best in the nation comprehensive sexual health education law, repealing the death penalty, promoting the rights of LGBTQ people, and supporting the organization’s network of volunteer chapters.

In an open forum participants will have the opportunity to ask Ashley about the history of the ACLU, important cases, and ACLU involvement with issues that affect women today.

 

zoom link:

https://cccconfer.zoom.us/j/97322036830?pwd=SU9CL0xxNDRKRE11eFRTSDZEemNFdz09

Mark your calendar and keep this email for the Zoom link.

From Our BPWNC President:

We are close to opening up our county with no restrictions! We will continue with Zoom meetings until an appropriate venue is chosen. Suggestions are greatly welcomed.
 
Although we won’t be meeting in July we will gather in August to award scholarships to some deserving women. We are still seeking applicants because our Ed Fund pot is full and we want to serve its contents.
 
This month we are excited to learn about how ACLU is working to strengthen relationships and encourage harmony within our community. I have enjoyed my time as president of BPWNC and have made the decision to let others have that opportunity. Please let us know if you can fulfill this important position. We
welcome your abundant energy and support😀
 
Please remember to pay your $25 membership dues. The new calendar year begins in July.


Moving Forward, Mary


BPW Spotlight – Beth Volz
Outreach Support Specialist/Executive Assistant at
Community Beyond Violence
BPW member and board member of the scholarship committee
 
 

Tell us about yourself
From the time I learned to read, I fell in love with the written word. I also loved roaming through the forests surrounding our Maryland home, and horseback riding—galloping full out over rolling hills with my braids flying behind me was the essence of freedom. I loved the rich aroma of the barns and learning to groom and care for these beautiful creatures. I became interested in politics and current events when I was 12 years old. My parents hosted a cocktail party at our home, and I was fascinated by the discussion about the proposed moratorium on the death penalty. The key word here is “discussion”—a civil give-and-take of viewpoints. (How many of us wish for those days again?) When I was in college, I regularly read the Sunday LA Times and The Atlantic Monthly, a perfect combination appealing to my interests in current events and love of beautifully written prose.
 
What influenced me to move here?
I have always been a mountain girl. During my 10 years in Sacramento (way back in the ‘80s), I spent many weekends hiking and backpacking all around the Sierra. I particularly enjoyed swimming in the Yuba River and exploring Nevada City. My husband and I moved here from the Santa Cruz mountains (but the jobs were all in the Bay Area). We were searching for more of a small-town community, and an area surrounded by nature.
 
What did you want to be as a child?

An investigative journalist. When I was 8 years old, I read a biography of Nellie Bly, the intrepid reporter in the late 1800s-early 1900s, who was a pioneer in her field and launched a new kind of investigative journalism. I was most awed by her reporting from inside an infamous insane asylum (she had herself committed in order to expose the extreme cruelties there)—and I wanted to expose cruelty and corruption, too!
 
What career path did you follow?
I started out as a political science major, but became disillusioned, so I changed to English and Journalism since I’d always loved writing. After completing an internship at Sacramento Magazine, I became a copywriter for a small PR agency. From there, I worked in marketing communications/public affairs for Caterpillar, PG&E, Kaiser Permanente, and two Bay Area hospitals. I also spent a couple of years as a freelance book editor. I’m so happy that I get to apply my skills at Community Beyond Violence—working for a good cause and hopefully contributing to helping survivors attain a better life.
 
Most important skills for women in the workplace:

I suppose this would depend upon an individual’s career plans. See # 10.
 
Motivation for joining BPW:
When we moved here five years ago, I searched for networking opportunities, both for any job or freelance openings and for fellowship with other professional women. I was particularly impressed by the organization’s dedication to equity for women—in the professional and personal realms. I’ve gotten to know so many women whom I admire, and I’ve gained some wonderful friendships through BPW!
 
Celebrity “Crushes:”
I’m not that into the celebrity culture, but I’ve always loved Shirley McClaine, Meryl Streep, and Dolly Parton (not only for her cute personality and her music, but also because she supports literacy for low-income children).
 
Three books to recommend:
Only three?!
 
Becoming by Michelle Obama

Lady Clementine by Marie Benedict (A novel about Winston Churchill’s wife.)

The Vineyards of Champagne by Juliet Blackwell (A historical novel about the women who create a makeshift community—including a school and hospital—within the labyrinth of wine caves in the Champagne region of France as Germany bombards their village during WWI. If you Google it, you’ll see some fascinating photos of that time.)
 
 
Four people I’d invite to a dinner party for lively conversation:
Michelle Obama, Dorothy Parker, Gertrude Stein, and Eleanor Roosevelt.
 
Advice for young women starting a career:
I would tell anyone starting out to follow their heart and take their head with them. In other words, pursue a career that will bring you satisfaction and joy, and…
 
Learn everything you can about your field (there are so many webinars, books, e-books, etc. available), and become an expert in your particular area of focus.
 
Find a mentor.
 
Garner self-confidence and be assertive (this was a biggie for me!).
 
ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS DEADLINE FOR THE DOLORES "DEE"ELDRIDGE SCHOLARSHIP HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO JULY 30TH.  CLICK HERE
Please pass this information to those who may want to apply.
JUNE IS RENEWAL TIME FOR MEMBERSHIP
 
Though we have not been able to have in person meetings in the past year, BPW has continued to have  monthly newsletters, interesting and informative monthly presentations on zoom, advocacy for women, and awarding scholarships to deserving women in Nevada County.
 
Please continue to support our organization by renewing your dues for 21-22  membership.
by going to bpwnevadacounty.org .

Can't wait to see you all in person soon!!
BPW’S LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY FOR 2021: WHERE ARE WE?

I’d like to keep all you members informed of BPWNC’s public policy positions in support of equity for women and where the underlying legislation stands. As I do for our board each month, let me report to you on the progress we have made. For context, the California legislative session is at the midway point -- bills introduced early this year must pass through either the Assembly or the Senate by June 4 in order to advance further. 

Improving family and medical leave is the top priority for us this year. The key issue area for us has been preventing a DECREASE in the wage replacement rate for paid family leave (PFL) and disability leave (SDI), as of January, 2022. Together, these two programs help ensure that Californians are able to recover from a serious illness, bond with a new child or care for a seriously ill family member and still meet their financial obligations, by being paid an adequate replacement rate for their missed wages while on leave. Unless the legislature acts, the current law setting the replacement rate at 60% for most workers and 70% for low wage earners will “sunset”, causing the rate to go back to the 2017 rate of 55%.  Our longer term goal, which we are working on with the California Work & Family Coalition, is to raise the rate for low wage Californians to 90% of their regular weekly wages when they qualify for PFL or SDI.  Otherwise, low wage workers and families who can’t afford to live on a small percentage of their pay would suffer, and some would be deterred from taking needed leave to which they are entitled. The state’s 2020 Master Plan for Early Learning and Care in fact recommended “expanding equitable access to Paid Family Leave to support children’s learning and development,” by increasing the rates to at least 90%, according to an Assembly Floor Analysis of the bill referenced below.

The problem is addressed by two proposals. One is a policy bill that would increase the wage replacement rates for paid family leave only (not disability leave) to 90% (AB 123). That bill passed in the Assembly on May 27 by a vote of 65-0 (with our Assembly member Megan Dahle joining 12 others in failing to vote) and has moved to the Senate for further action. The second vehicle is a budget proposal that is being negotiated to, at a minimum, extend current law for one year, which would apply to both family leave and sick leave. We are pushing for the budget bill to raise the rates, and also to infuse additional money into the state disability fund, which would help avoid raising employment taxes to cover the costs of the higher rates. As negotiations continue, the budget bill must be passed by the legislature by June 15, and signed by the Governor by July 1. For current information and for opportunities to take action, go to www.workfamilyca.org.

Another top priority is a bill that would address disparities in maternal and child health for black, indigenous and other people of color (SB 65). It would codify the recommendations of California’s Pregnancy-associated Mortality Review Committee, adopting evidence-based, comprehensive measures to improve prenatal and postpartum care and outcomes. SB 65 increases the number of midwives able to provide specialized care during pregnancy, requires Medi-Cal to cover doula care, and provides stipends during pregnancy and early childhood for women of low income. Further, it would beef up investigations of and statistics for maternal and child mortality, empowering the Review Committee to study and make recommendations for best practices. The bill passed in the Senate on May 24 by a vote of 31-7 (with our Senator, Brian Dahle, voting No).

A third issue area of particular concern for us is maintaining access to Telehealth, both for telephonic and video visits. Healthcare providers like Women’s Health Specialists and Planned Parenthood need to have this problem fixed, if they are to continue providing telephone and video visits. Their experience during the pandemic demonstrates that women seeking time-sensitive reproductive healthcare are increasingly reliant on these telehealth methods. Communities especially impacted include small rural areas like our own, where public transit is often unavailable and, where telephonic visits can often be substituted for video, when internet access is unreliable.

This issue, too, is being addressed on two tracks, both a policy bill (AB 32) and a budget proposal. The problem is that maintaining Telehealth access requires retaining adequate reimbursement rates under Medi-Cal.  AB 32 would retain allowable items and modalities that are reimbursable, i.e, telephonic and video visits, as well as allowing for the flexibility of remote enrollment in Family PACT and Medi-Cal. The bill passed in the Assembly on June 1, by a vote of 78-0 (including Megan Dahle voting Yes). On the budget track, the budget committees reached agreement to incorporate AB 32 provisions into a so-called budget trailer bill, thus avoiding a reduction in the reimbursement rates. The trailer bill would be part of the budget package being considered in the legislature.  The budget is still being negotiated and will not be finalized until the Governor signs the budget bill, with a deadline of July 1.

Our advocacy on these and other BPWNC bills will continue as the California legislature and the Governor decide their fates this year. With letters, phone calls and emails, as well as responses to occasional calls to action on our Facebook page, let’s all commit to take some active step this year to advance women’s health, welfare and rights in our state through legislative advocacy. It is a critical part of our mission. It’s an important way to stand up for what we value and believe in.
Thank you all for your commitment to BPWNC, and what we do to better the lives of working women and their families. 

Elaine Sierra, Advocacy Chair
 
Employment Opportunity
Women's Health Specialist is hiring for the clinic in Grass Valley
 
NP CNM or PA-C - 32 hours per week
salary range $42.00 to $55.00 per hour
 
 
For further information please go to Nevada County Citizens 4 Choice job openings.
Club Business
 
Now that we have more home time help get the word out. Please send names and email addresses of your friends and family to Phyllis porzalli@att.net. to join the growing list of friends of BPWNC. They will receive our monthly newsletter which will inform them of all the good stuff happening  with our organization. No need to be living in Nevada County
 
Thank  you
~ Membership, Deb Armanino 415-786-1160
 
*** Please add Phyllis Orzalli e-mail (porzalli@att.net) to your address book to ensure it does not go to junk!
Mission Statement
The mission of the Business and Professional Women of Nevada County
is to support and promote equity for women in all aspects of their lives.
 
Objectives
~To promote personal and professional development for working women.
~To advocate on National, State, and Local legislative issues of importance
to working women.
~To support the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls.
~To promote the education of our members and the community in matters of women's equality as it relates to economics, employment, health, education, housing, civil rights, and other issues of equal opportunity.
Interested in joining our dynamic group of women?
Want to take on a lead role in our organization?


We need active members who have time and interest
in being a board member: president, vice president, secretary,
treasurer or program committee.

For only a few hours a month you can guide future endeavors of our great group. Please contact Mary Sivila at 530-346-7192 or email her at 
marysivila@yahoo.com to discuss the great possibilities!
 
 
SAVE THE DATE
July: No program

August: Scholarship Awards
BPWNC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
 
President
Mary Sivila - 530.346.7192
Vice President
open
Secretary
Shirley Hall - 916.826.8944
Treasurer
 Shirley Zeff - 530.273.3010
Membership
Deb Armanino LeBlanc
415.786.1160

Program
Our members - Submit an idea to the board.
BPWNC COMMITTEE CONTACTS
 
Scholarship
Lynn Wenzel - 530.477.0746
Judy McCarrick - 530.478.0677
Advocacy
Elaine Sierra - 530.274.0738
Historian
open
Newsletter
Phyllis Orzalli - 530.913.8473
Website
Phyllis Orzalli - 530.913.8473
Facebook
Judy McCarrick - 530.478.0677
BPWNC Facebook
BPWNC
 
Copyright ©2019 Business and Professional Women of Nevada County. All rights reserved.






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Business & Professional Women of Nevada County · P.O. Box 2642 · Grass Valley, CA 95945 · USA

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