Page 6 - BPW-UK - E-news - Edition 110 - March 2023_Neat

50 Years ! Profound and heartfelt thanks

I know that I speak for all your friends both inside and outside
BPW UK when I say that we have always been in awe of your ca-
pacity for work, your capacity for friendships locally and globally,
for tending to your family and at the same time enjoying life. This
capacity coupled with your dogged determination and consistency
in all that you do has been a shining example for many of us.

I have had the great privilege of getting to know you very well over the years
and we have travelled a great many miles together around the world, some of the
th
most notable for us both I think being our time in Beijing at the UN 4 World Con-
ference on Women and at the Commission on the Status of Women in New York,
journeys that I am so grateful to have made but particularly with you. I could never
have wished for a better companion, mentor and friend. I also know that many oth-
er people view you in the same light and that just shows what a big heart you have.

When I look back to when I met you, you were supporting Lesley Abdela in the
300 Group and from there you then introduced me to the world of BPW (B & P then,
of course) in Bristol which you and a few of us rebuilt, I can hardly believe that that
was 43 years ago. It is great testament to your determination and support that the
South West of the country has not only endured in BPW UK but now has a superb
team of women who have also invested immense amounts of time and energy and
who, I have no doubt, will help to perpetuate all that you have achieved in our ar-
ea...and who knew that you would achieve so much personally, being elected as
President of BPW UK and then of BPW International, making us all so very proud!

Thank you Sylvia for all that you have done for many of us as a mentor and
friend. I am sorry not to be with you to deliver these words to you personally, but
do enjoy Conference in Belfast as I know that means an awful lot to you.

Congratulations on achieving your wonderful milestone of 50 years and thank
you for your work for BPW UK, for BPW International and thereby your work for
women. You will be pleased to know that I’m writing these words to you on Interna-
tional Women’s Day which is a very special day for you and for us all.

Janice Bancroft, PNP BPW UK

When she recovered from the surprise, Sylvia Perry
said how delighted and extremely honoured she was
to receive this very special recognition of her 50 years
plus service in BPW, an organisation that had not only
been such a major part of her life but also brought
her so many fantastic experiences and great friends
both in the UK and around the globe.
“Thank you President Jo, and all the other special
people who contributed to the tribute—You all know
how I treasure your friendship.”