Stars inspire us to dream big and pursue our passion. My hope this year is that everyone realizes the STARS shine quite brightly here in Ohio. Each one of us is Successful, Tenacious, Audacious, Resilient, and Smart in blazing new trails and enjoying all that BPW has to offer. Personal development is a special passion of mine. We will be offering Individual Development classes and webinars to hone your professional skills. Our Conversations and Cocktails series will allow us to showcase BPW members doing interesting things and gives us a chance to discuss leadership opportunities within BPW. I will be looking for volunteers to share your journey with BPW members across the state – please feel free to reach out to me if you would like to participate. We will also be tackling another S – Sustainability. Recruiting members is absolutely crucial this year. Our Membership Chair, Maria Moore, will be connecting with the locals on a regular basis to see how we can increase membership. I would love to see all locals have at least 10 members. I will also be asking all locals and regions to review the current status of bylaws to ensure we are all on the same page. One of the great assets of BPW is our network. I want to encourage everyone to connect with each other in person or virtually. Our Conference in the Cleveland area is a great chance for us to gather and grow together.
Stephanie Bridwell,
2023-2024 President
2023 GENERAL ELECTION | NOVEMBER 7, 2023
Military & Overseas Absentee Voting: Begins September 22
Deadline to Register to Vote: October 10
Early In-Person Voting: October 11 and includes the Saturday and Sunday before Election Day.
Absentee Voting By Mail: Begins October 11
Election Day: November 7 (Polls Open 6:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.)
IMPORTANT DATES:
SEPTEMBER
September 22: Military and Overseas Absentee Voting begins
OCTOBER
October 10: Deadline to Register to Vote. Boards open until 9:00 p.m.
October 11: Absentee Voting by Mail begins (ends November 6)
October 11: Early In-Person Voting begins
October 31: Absentee ballot applications must be received by your board of elections by 8:30 p.m.
EARLY IN-PERSON VOTING HOURS FOR OCTOBER & NOVEMBER (2023 GENERAL ELECTION | NOVEMBER 7, 2023)
October 11-13: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
October 16-20: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
October 23-27: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
October 30: 7:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
October 31: 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
November 1-3: 7:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
November 4: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
November 5: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Absentee Voting By Mail: Begins July 11
NOVEMBER
November 6: Mailed absentee ballots must be postmarked by this date.
November 7: General Election: Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
November 7: Absentee Ballots may be returned by mail or personally delivered to your county board of elections. If not returned by mail, absentee ballots must be received by your board of elections by 7:30 p.m.
November 13: Last day for boards of elections to receive absentee ballots that have been postmarked on or before November 6.
Vote YES on Issue 1 on November 7th!
Original Ballot Language - PDF attached
Issue 1 would establish a state constitutional right to "make and carry out one’s own reproductive decisions," including decisions about abortion, contraception, fertility treatment, miscarriage care, and continuing pregnancy. It would allow for the state of Ohio to restrict abortion after fetal viability, defined as "the point in a pregnancy when, in the professional judgment of the pregnant patient's treating physician, the fetus has a significant likelihood of survival outside the uterus with reasonable measures," unless an abortion "is necessary to protect the pregnant patient’s life or health.
The initiative has received support from the Ohio Democratic Party, ACLU of Ohio, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio, and Ohio Women's Alliance. In support of the initiative, Dr. Lauren Beene, executive director of Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights, said, "Our common sense amendment will restore the rights and protections that were destroyed when Roe was overturned. It will preserve the doctor-patient relationship and empower all people to make their own reproductive health care decisions without interference from the government, lobbyists and politicians.
Official Ballot Language - PDF attached.
The Ohio Ballot Board changed and approved different ballot language which makes this confusing when reading.
Upcoming Events
Sun, Oct 15WashingtonOct 15, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM EDTWashington, 599 Country Club Rd, Washington, PA 15301, USAOct 15, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM EDTWashington, 599 Country Club Rd, Washington, PA 15301, USABPW/PA will be hosting the 44th Ecumenical Event with the theme as Women of the Bible: The Three Mary's Ecumenical 2023 Registration Form with payment is to be mailed to BPW/PA. Printable registration located at the top of the page.
Mon, Oct 16Ashland Convocation Center, Trustee RoomOct 16, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PMAshland Convocation Center, Trustee Room, 820 Claremont Ave, Ashland, OH 44805, USA
2022-2023 Year In Pictures
