Litigation & Legal/Resolutions was the topic for Kelsy Gill’s presentation at BPW London’s Speaker Series. Kelsy is a Commercial Civil Litigation lawyer with Giffen Lawyers and she told the story of her law career and how it has helped her be active not only in BPW but also in the community. On behalf of Kelsy, BPW London donated to Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU).

Kathryn Munn, Munn Conflict Resolutions, was the speaker at BPW London’s Speaker Series event. Kathryn discussed “Dealing With Difficult People” and provided practical tips. On behalf of Kathryn, BPW London donated to the London Abused Women’s Centre.

Kelly Tallon Franklin, Founder of Courage for Freedom, was the speaker at BPW London’s Speaker Series event. Kelly discussed the #ProjectMapleLeaf project, human trafficking awareness campaign, and her own experiences. Kelly’s passion and commitment to the effort to end human trafficking made an impression on all that attended. On behalf of Kelly, BPW London donated to Courage for Freedom.

BPW London’s Annual Festive Social Fundraiser. For the fifth year in a row, BPW London club and members donated to the London Basket Brigade. Due to COVID-19, monetary donations were requested vs food. BPW London club and members donated close to $700 to the Brigade to help them reach their goal of serving 125 London families.

Kimberly McDougall.The Travel Agent Next Door was the featured speaker at BPW London’s Speaker Series event on October 17, 2020. Kim launched a new business in June 2019 just nine months before COVID-19 led to worldwide travel restrictions for tourists. She discussed plans for her business and how she coped with something totally beyond her control or planning that seriously affected her business model. On half of Kim, BPW London donated to Anova.

BPW London’s Annual Festive Social Fundraiser. For the fifth year in a row, BPW London club and members donated to the London Basket Brigade. Due to COVID-19, monetary donations were requested vs food. BPW London club and members donated close to $700 to the Brigade to help them reach their goal of serving 125 London families.

BPW London was a sponsor at the Women’s Economic Empowerment Community Building event on October 5, 2019. Complete details of the event, click here. The event included panellists from a cross-section of London industries, special guest Stephanie Dei, UN National Coordinator, UNWomen WeEmpower as well as representatives from the Canadian Coalition to Empower Women. 

BPW London’s Spare Change Donation Jar Campaign! 

BPW London members and friends donated their spare change to the “jar”. BPW London member Ramona Robichaud (right in the photo above) presenting London Coffee House with the club’s donation. “The London Coffee House has a long history of providing a hot cup of coffee, support and socialization to men and women experiencing homelessness, and those at risk.”

“My Smartphone Friend or Foe?” BPW London welcomed three presenters: Mary Beth Bezzina, My Notables; Katie Cole, Education Media Specialist and Medway High School Teacher and Jennifer Gall, Something Simple. Proceeds from the evening were donated to three charties selected by the presenters:

BPW London’s Progressive Euchre Tournament. The proceeds of the fundraiser were donated to the London Anti-Human Trafficking Committee and Farmtown Canada, both organizations educate and assist girls and women that have been or could be trafficked. 

BPW London was a proud sponsor of the May 5, 2017 Sexual Assault Centre London‘s 7th Annual Wine, Dine & Showtime. Theme foe the gala was “Roaring 20’s: Prohibition on Sexual Violence.” The money raised at the event sustains the free counselling services offered by the Sexual Assault Centre London to survivors of sexual violence in London & Middlesex County.

Mariam Hamou, founder of London’s Syrian Refugee Fund, was the guest speaker at the March 21, 2017. Mariam discussed “A Woman’s Life in a War Torn Country”: The life of women who are living with families in war torn countries – Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan.  How do they feed their families?  What happens to young girls with no education or work prospects? On behalf of Mariam, BPW London donated to the Islamic Relief Canada – Somalia Famine.

“#LeapFear Project – Positive Risk Taking” was the topic for BPW London’s January 17, 2017 dinner meeting. Anita Watkins, Anita Watkins Photographer, discussed her #LeapFear project, a tribute to her mother, “to inspire us move past our fear and to live our lives as they were meant to be.” On behalf of Anita, BPW London donated to Teacher Mentors Abroad.

December 2016, as part of BPW London’s annual Festive Dinner Fundraiser, we collected donations for the London’s Christmas Basket Brigade. 

“Workplace Harassment, Sexual Harassment & Violence” was the topic for BPW London’s October 18, 2016 dinner meeing. Elizabeth Hewitt, LLB, E. Hewitt Law Firm, was the guest speaker. Elizabeth focused on “Building Respect in the Workplace”. On behalf of Elizabeth, BPW London donated to the London and area, Big Sisters.

ancy Sutherland, CEO, of The Sunshine Foundation of Canada was the speaker at BPW London’s September 20, 2016 dinner meeting. Nancy discussed how her organization and other not-for-profits raise money. On behalf of Nancy, BPW London donated to The Sunshine Foundation of Canada.

Laurie Lashbrook, President, Lashbrook Marketing and Public Relations presented “Personal Branding and Successful Social Media Profiles” at BPW London’s March 15, 2016 dinner meeting. BPW London made a donation to London Health Science Foundation Miracle Day Fund on behalf of Laurie.

BPW London is a proud Bronze sponsor of the 16th Annual International Women’s Day Breakfast on March 4, 2016. All proceeds of the event will go to the London Abused Women’s Centre. 

BPW London member and owner of Heartwood Equine Connections was BPW London’s speaker at the January 19, 2016 dinner meeting. The topic was “Changing a Life…Healing Happens With Horses.” Lynne discussed helping people navigate through emotional healing using the wisdom of horses. On behalf of Lynne, BPW London donated to My Sisters’ Place.

Part of BPW London’s Winter Wonderland Social/Fundraising Dinner on December 8, 2015 was a donation drive for Rotholme Women’s and Family Shelter. Thank you to BPW London members and guests who donated items. 

BPW London member and owner of Heartwood Equine Connections was BPW London’s speaker at the January 19, 2016 dinner meeting. The topic was “Changing a Life…Healing Happens With Horses.” Lynne discussed helping people navigate through emotional healing using the wisdom of horses. On behalf of Lynne, BPW London donated to My Sisters’ Place.

Part of BPW London’s Winter Wonderland Social/Fundraising Dinner on December 8, 2015 was a donation drive for Rotholme Women’s and Family Shelter. Thank you to BPW London members and guests who donated items. 

On May 1, 2015, The Sexual Assault Centre of London will be conducting their major fundraiser, Wine, Dine and Showtime. BPW London is proud to be a Companion Sponsor of this event.

Colleen Sharen, BPW London member and Associate Professor, Management & Organizational Studies, Brescia University College was BPW London’s March 17, 2015 speaker. The topic was “Closing the Entrepreneurial Gap”. Colleen explored the reasons, why the percentage of Canadian small and medium businesses are owned or co-owned by women, is low. BPW London donated to Brescia University College’s Entrepreneurship Program the door prize proceeds.

Homelessness and Prostitution in London: Jan Richardson, Manager of Homelessness Prevention for the City of London was the February 17, 2015 guest speaker at the BPW London dinner meeting. Jan spoke about a community plan regarding street involved sex workers. Jan requested BPW London donate the proceeds of the door prize to the London Regional AIDS Hospice/John Gordon Home.

BPW London sponsored a Women’s Build for Habitat for Humanity. Our team name was Building Powerful Women. The team’s build day was February 12, 2015. Thank you for helping us build a home by sponsoring our team. Click here for complete details and gallery of build photos.

The London Abused Women’s Centre Advocates/Counsellors and first-time authors, Judy Miller Rose and Heather Wharram were November 2014 BPWL guest speakers. The author’s book Just When You Think It’s All Over is a harrowing story of abuse, attempted murder and eventually, a brighter future is told in this book. BPWL donated to Judy & Heather’s projects.

Local politics: October 2014 BPWL guest speaker Shawna Lewkowitz of Women and Politics London discussed women’s role and participation in London politics. BPWL donated proceeds of the door prize to Women and Politcs London.

Mandy Bennett, Executive Director of Anago, was the guest speaker at BPW London’s May 2014 dinner meeting. Proceeds from the door prize were donated to Anago. Members and guests also donated some “goodies” for the girls at Anago-Parkhill Therapeutic Care Residence. Click here to view a list of their needs.

At BPW London’s Bridges Out of Poverty workshop, March 21, 2014, the over 140 participants donated socks to the Unity Project, an organization that provides emergency shelter and transitional housing with a peer-supported community model.

November 2013 guest speaker, Cheryl Campbell, CFP, CHS, FDS, Money Coach, selected The Women’s Community House as the recipient of the BPWL door prize monies. Thank you to all members and guests who purchased door prize tickets.

Rotholme Women’s and Family Shelter was the recipient of the door prizes monies of the October 2013 BPWL dinner meeting. Guest speaker at the meeting was Mary-Jo Hartman, Case Manager at Rotholme. She discussed the meaning of shelter life for women and children.

Guest Speaker Melissa McCormick’s, The Queen’s Daughter Mission was the recipient of the door prize monies at the May 2013 dinner meeting. The Queen’s Daughter Mission support victims of sexual and domestic violence, educate, share and set an example.

Women’s Rural Resource Centre was the recipient of the door prize monies at the March 2013  BPWL dinner meeting. Guest speakers at the meeting were the Strathroy-Caradoc Mayor, Joanne Vanderheyden and  Police Chief, Laurie Hayman. Learn more about the Women’s Rural Resource Centre by checking out their website, click here.

In February 2013, BPW London donated the monies raised from door prize raffle to Compassion Canada. June Dryer, Compassion Canada’s Major Donor Department Manager discussed Compassion Canada’s humanitarian efforts that improve the quality and social levels of women and children around the world.

BPW London’s past project was to raise funds to help children in Bosnia.  Funds were raised by holding various fundraisers.