Page 2 - BPW-UK - E-news - Edition 110 - March 2023_Neat

But the biggest surprise of the morning went to PIP Sylvia Perry, although
Covid meant we could not celebrate her 50 years of membership, we celebrated 53
years within BPW. PNP Janice Bancroft led the surprise, with warm words about just
some of Sylvia’s BPW UK journey. Past IFBPW International VP Susan Jones joined
the Zoom call from Australia to give just a flavour of all that PIP Sylvia had been a
part of.

I had the privilege on behalf of so many members
and friends to present Sylvia with her 50-year award
and a photo book full of memories, photographs, and
words from the wider BPW world. Sylvia was indeed
speechless for just a moment, before thanking us all for
this surprise.

The Friday afternoon was lunch, a tour of the handsome Stormont Parliament
buildings and then the Public Speaking final. Jeanette Thornton will enlarge more
upon this excellent competition later in the newsletter. Anu Vicks was able to see
first-hand the quality and relevance of this competition and will be taking this idea
back to the other European BPW Clubs and Federations.

Our more formal dinner was held at the Belfast Harbour Com-
missioner’s Offices, with Dr Theresa Donaldson as our Keynote
Speaker. As the first woman in this role, I mused as
to why it had taken 175 years to break this glass
ceiling, and if this was the reason the building was
covered in scaffolding! Dr Donaldson was both inter-
esting and welcoming, and invited us to look behind
the doors of this building. She was bringing fresh air
to the draughty, male dominated
corridors. Jackie giving Thanks
to Teresa Donaldson

Saturday was the BPW UK Conference Day, and with BPW European members
from Malta, Italy, Estonia, and the Republic of Ireland joining us we had a room full
of women keen to learn from each other. We were joined by one of the “Friends of
BPW UK”, John Spurrier-Davies, the husband of the much-loved Lorna who is still
much missed within the BPW UK SEW area. John is a great supporter and we wel-
comed him in Belfast.

The morning was opened by Anu Vicks, European co-
ordinator, and her session titled “Inclusion, Innovation, Inspiration”
was aimed at explaining how women can achieve equal opportuni-
ties in economic, civil, and political life. I would like to thank Anu
for persevering with the snow to join us in person in Belfast.