BPW is an innovative organization of working women that provides leadership opportunities for personal and professional growth along with opportunities to create change in your workplace and community.
Our Members
Our diverse group is made up of seasoned and young professionals and includes business owners, executive directors and entrepreneurs. You’ll find our members at Henry Ford Allegiance Hospital, Baker College, and Lloyd Ganton Retirement Centers. Members are active leaders in the community and can be found supporting dozens of Jackson’s fine nonprofit organizations.
BPW Members participate in Equal Pay Day and the Salvation Army Red Kettle Drive. We provide scholarships to support professional growth and development for women and contribute to the BPW Cancer Fund.
Our local organization is part of one of the largest working women’s organizations, the Business and Professional Women’s Foundation headquartered in Washington, D.C. and BPW Michigan.
Leadership: Current Officers (June-May)
Robin Vafiadis, President | Mary Kay Beauty Consultant
Janet Rice, Vice President | Retired
Lori Masters, Treasurer | Retired
Angela Machnik, Secretary | Corporate Events Consultant
Committee Service
Members support the work of BPW through committee service. Committees include: programming, publicity, legislative, finance.
Networking
We meet the first and third Monday from noon to 1:15 PM at Cascades Manor House with a business and program meeting featuring various speakers on topics of interest to our members. Information about upcoming programs are included on our Facebook page. Like us! It’s the best way to stay in touch and informed.
SEPT. 16 – Hello and a Handshake: The reluctant networker’s guise to survival and success at your next business gathering with Greg Peters. Check out his video:
https://youtu.be/PrDSRFZ5vFM?si=fRncL5MJY5caKB4l
SEPT. 30 – FUN 5TH Monday – Listen to Belle Coty and her harp at the JSO office downtown
OCT. 7 – Network/Business Meeting
OCT. 21 – From Welfare to Warden with Pam Withrow
NOV. 4 – Network/Business Meeting
NOV. 18 – Learn about the Suffrage Movement – The Silent Sentinels with Susan Murphy
DEC. 9 – Holiday Party 2024 at Noon
We are members of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce.
Learn more about membership on the Join page.
History of Leadership
Jackson BPW won the 2024 Michigan BPW Membership Award and the Anna Howard Shaw Award for Excellence in Programming.
We celebrated our chapter’s 100th Anniversary+2 in September 2022. That’s quite a milestone.
Jackson BPW won the 2016 Michigan BPW Membership Award and the Anna Howard Shaw Award for Excellence in Programming.