Page 32 - CALIFORNIA WOMAN - FALL EDITION 2023 - Binded with added Forms

Remembering

Frances SWINGLE

One of us

The Berkeley BPW Club recently learned from Maria and Manjul who, not so long ago
visited her, of the departure of our BPW and NIKE friend Frances Swingle.

I must confess I had the privilege of meeting Fran (as she was affectionally known) in
person, only once, at a wonderful Berkeley gathering, some time in May ‘19, as Awards were
being given.

I had, however, also the chance to exchange with Fran much later (2022) as we were all
contributing to the production of our Berkeley Centennial Booklet.
When asked: “What does BPW mean to you?’
Here is what Fran wrote:
“I joined BPW in 1976 (I think) and the NIKE Club a few years later. I was President of
‘Washington Township BPW’ in Fremont in 81/82 and was privileged to be sent by my Club to
the National in San Antonio as their delegate. I also have been a member of Livermore, Contra
Costa and Isle City as well as Berkeley.
A BPW friend asked me to apply for a seat on the Alameda County Commission on the
Status of Women. I was accepted and served for 10 or 12 years. Commissioners volunteer to
help with women and girls issues for the Supervisors. We investigate Domestic Violence
Homes and recommend how funds be allotted. I have held one office or another for these
groups. Most recently as Treasurer for the District”.
THANK YOU FRANCES,
Your passage on this earth
was certainly not in vain.
We are so grateful that you
represented us,
BPWs and NIKEs members,
so well.

It is difficult, here ,to ignore the precious value of all the photos we take. They are the gift that
reflects our warm friendship and freezes our most happy moments.
Monique Lee - Berkeley BPW Club member

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