International

 

BPW Colchester celebrates the International Federation's 81 years of history.

   

 

2011, International Lunch and Candle-Lighting Ceremony

In March, BPW Colchester and District celebrated its links with other Business and Professional Women, in over 90 countries across the world, with a buffet lunch and the traditional candle-lighting ceremony at the Ramada Hotel, Colchester.

 

       


The event was attended by the Mayor of Colchester, Councillor Sonia Lewis and the Mayor's escort, Mr. Keith Lewis, BPW officers, club members and guests from across the London Anglia South East Region.
 

       


Jill Johnson, the after lunch speaker, gave an inspirational talk on the charity, " Benin Christian Support", whose members work amongst the poverty stricken inhabitants of Benin, formerly Dahomey, the third poorest country in the world. During the five years of its existence the charity, through donations from the public, has been able to assist many people with housing, food, medical needs, clothing and education.They also support an orphanage named the "House of Hope". Such essential work in a country where malnutrition is rife, malaria is the biggest killer,  and many women die  in childbirth. Jill's talk was illustrated by extremely moving pictures, projected by her colleague, Penny Waterman.


We were delighted to present the charity with a cheque for £145: the proceeds from our raffle.
 
The climax of the afternoon was the traditional candle-lighting ceremony, during which the current member countries were listed as the candles were lit and the history of the International Federation of Business and Professional Women was recalled from its beginnings in America in 1930.

 

 

The Presidents of BPW Billericay, Norwich and Colchester & District

BPW International
BPW International