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My sister Joanne would like to thank everyone for their prayers and cards of cheer that she has received during her recovery. On October 3, Jo will be released and moving to my niece Jennifer’s home. She will have caretakers a few hours a day to help.
BPW/PA State President
Laurie
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Women’s Health Takes Center Stage in Harrisburg
A package of Pennsylvania legislation focused on menopause, perimenopause and related women’s health needs is scheduled for action in the PA House beginning Tuesday, September 29. State Reps. Melissa Shusterman, Liz Hanbidge and Morgan Cephas have been working on the package, which addresses issues ranging from health insurance coverage and education to workplace policies and preventive care.
Rally for Menopause — September 29
The public is invited to the Rally for Menopause Legislation on Tuesday, September 29, from 1:00–2:00 p.m. in the Main Rotunda of the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg. The rally is centered on the lawmakers’ “No Time for a Pause” package of menopause-related legislation.
Several of the bills are also scheduled for committee consideration that day. For example, the House Aging & Older Adult Services Committee has scheduled both a public hearing and voting meeting involving HB 1244, HB 1346, HB 1827 and HB 2545.
What’s in the Legislative Package?
The measures under consideration include:
HR 287 — Rep. Melissa Shusterman
Directs the Joint State Government Commission to study and report on issues involving perimenopause and menopause, including workplace policies and available supports. The resolution was previously reported from the House Health Committee.
HB 1244 — Rep. Liz Hanbidge
Would provide insurance coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction and related conditions.
HB 1346 — Rep. Liz Hanbidge
Would amend Pennsylvania insurance law to provide coverage for menopause treatment.
HB 1345 — Rep. Morgan Cephas
Addresses Medicaid coverage related to menopause treatment.
HB 1411 — Rep. Liz Hanbidge
Focuses on menopause education.
HB 1827 — Rep. Melissa Shusterman
Addresses preventive measures related to hip fractures.
HB 2135 — Rep. Morgan Cephas
Addresses workplace protections and accommodations related to menopause and perimenopause.
HB 2545 — Rep. Melissa Shusterman
Addresses insurance coverage for vaginal estrogen and the prevention of urinary tract infections.
Learn More & Follow the Legislation
Pennsylvanians who want to learn more about the lawmakers’ campaign can visit the Action Center, which includes information about contacting state representatives regarding the menopause policy package:
PA House Menopause Action Center
Individual legislation and its official status can also be followed through the Pennsylvania General Assembly website.
Why It’s Worth Buzzing About
Whether members support, oppose or want to learn more about individual proposals, this is an opportunity to stay informed about women’s health legislation currently moving through the Pennsylvania House. With several measures scheduled for action and a public rally taking place at the Capitol, September 29 will be an important day to watch in Harrisburg.
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A REQUEST FROM EQUAL MEANS EQUAL
BPW/PA has received a request shared through our BPW network regarding EQUAL MEANS EQUAL, a national nonprofit organization focused on the Equal Rights Amendment and constitutional equality on the basis of sex. The organization describes its mission as securing the publication, adoption and enforcement of the ERA.
What is Equal Means Equal?
EQUAL MEANS EQUAL has been involved in ERA advocacy, education and litigation for years. Most recently, the organization brought a federal lawsuit challenging the law that permits men—but not women—to register with the Selective Service System.
The case began after Jacqueline Fenore attempted to register for Selective Service and was rejected because she is a woman. In April 2026, a federal district court found that Fenore had standing to bring her individual claim but concluded that existing U.S. Supreme Court precedent prevented the court from granting relief on her equal-protection challenge. EQUAL MEANS EQUAL has appealed the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.
Importantly, EQUAL MEANS EQUAL says its litigation is not an effort to advocate for a military draft. Rather, the organization is using the Selective Service law to raise broader constitutional questions about sex-based classifications and the legal status and effect of the Equal Rights Amendment.
The current litigation has attracted participation from numerous organizations. The federal appellate docket lists groups including the National Women's Political Caucus, American Medical Women's Association, Ohio Federation of Business & Professional Women, PA Religious Coalition for Reproductive Justice and others as interested parties in the case.
💙 The Request to BPW/PA
According to information shared with BPW/PA by Kathy Telban, a fellow BPW member in Ohio, EQUAL MEANS EQUAL is exploring similar litigation in additional states, including Pennsylvania and Illinois.
They are currently seeking potential Pennsylvania participants in two areas:
- A Pennsylvania attorney with the qualifications and experience necessary to litigate in federal court who would be willing to speak with representatives of EQUAL MEANS EQUAL about the potential case.
- A Pennsylvania woman between the ages of 18 and 24 who would be willing to attempt to register with the Selective Service System and document the result as a potential participant in litigation.
This request is being shared for informational and networking purposes so BPW/PA members who may have the appropriate professional background—or know someone who does—are aware of the opportunity.
Interested or Know Someone?
Members interested in learning more, or who may know an attorney or potential participant who would like additional information, should contact:
Nancy Werner: nancy.werner73@gmail.com
Nancy can connect interested individuals with those working directly on the project so they can obtain details about the proposed litigation, expectations and legal implications before deciding whether to participate.
To learn more about the organization and its current federal litigation, visit:
EQUAL MEANS EQUAL
BPW/PA members are encouraged to review the information and make their own decision about whether they wish to become involved.
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Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
We kicked off this year’s Book Club get-togethers with a lively discussion
about our September book selection. We agreed that Great Big Beautiful Life
was a great big summer read; from the “steamy” parts, to the story within a
story format, to all the different examples of and ways to experience love, and
to the surprising twist ending. Our discussion veered slightly to include the
topic of “reading via audio books,” both the differences as well as the
advantages of each format. It was wonderful to be together again, and to catch
up with each other after our summer break. My happy place, for sure!
| Click on the event photo to register |
🐝 SOMETHING NEW IS BUZZING! 💙💛
You may notice something new in The Buzz this week!
We’re introducing WORTH BUZZING ABOUT — a little extra something created just for you!
🍂 Each week, you might discover...
💙 Inspiring Women — past and present
📍 Pennsylvania Stories — places, history & hidden gems
🍎 Seasonal Fun — traditions, food & things to explore
💡 Did You Know? — interesting facts & surprising stories
📅 Special Days & Observances — worth knowing and celebrating
Think of it as a little break between the BPW news and announcements — a chance to learn something new, discover something interesting, or simply have a little fun.
☕ So grab your favorite drink, keep scrolling & see what we found...
🐝 THAT’S WORTH BUZZING ABOUT! 🐝
Have an idea for a future feature? Send it our way! You never know what might be buzzing next. 💙💛
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HER STORY: The Women of Idenlea
Three Pennsylvania women who refused to accept that certain doors were closed to them
For the very first "Her Story" feature in The Buzz, we're staying right here in Pennsylvania—and meeting three women whose story feels particularly fitting for Business and Professional Women.
In Bala Cynwyd, Montgomery County, there once stood an estate known as Idenlea. Three extraordinary women associated with that home helped challenge expectations about what women could learn, what professions they could enter, and how loudly they could advocate for change. Their contributions were eventually recognized with an official Pennsylvania historical marker.
Dr. Hannah E. Myers Longshore pursued medicine at a time when professional education was largely closed to women. She graduated with the first class of the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1851 and went on to teach anatomy. She became the first woman to establish a medical practice in Philadelphia.
And becoming a doctor didn't mean people suddenly accepted her.
Male physicians initially refused to consult with her. Pharmacists refused to fill her prescriptions. According to the National Library of Medicine, one man even suggested she should forget medicine and go home to tend to her husband's socks. So, for a time, Dr. Longshore prepared her patients' medicines herself.
She kept going. She gave public lectures on physiology and hygiene, taught medicine and built a successful practice that ultimately served hundreds of families. Her medical career lasted roughly four decades. And Hannah wasn't the only trailblazer in the family. Her sister, Dr. Jane V. Myers, also became an early woman physician and practiced medicine in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania's historical-marker program recognizes both sisters for their roles in advancing women in medicine, along with their involvement in abolition and women's rights.
Then came another generation.
Hannah's daughter, Lucretia Mott Longshore Blankenburg, grew up watching the discrimination her mother encountered simply because she was a woman practicing medicine. Drexel's Legacy Center says that experience helped shape Lucretia's lifelong commitment to equality. She became a prominent advocate for women's rights and suffrage and was also involved in civic reform in Philadelphia.
Think about that for a moment.
A mother fought for the right to practice her profession. Her sister helped demonstrate that women belonged in medicine. And the next generation carried the fight into the movement for women's equality. Medicine. Education. Suffrage. Abolition. Civic reform. These weren't women waiting for someone else to change the rules. They helped change them.
Did You Know?
In September 2024, a Pennsylvania historical marker honoring the Women of Idenlea Estate was dedicated at their former home in Bala Cynwyd. So this isn't only a story preserved in an archive—there is now a physical marker in Pennsylvania recognizing what these women accomplished. And perhaps that's the perfect lesson for our first Her Story: The professional opportunities women have today exist, in part, because generations of women before us were willing to walk through doors they were told weren't meant for them. 💙💛
Want to Know More?
I found a particularly good resource from Drexel University College of Medicine: The Women of Idenlea. It includes photographs of Hannah and Jane and links into Drexel's Legacy Center collections on women physicians and women's activism.
For a deeper dive specifically into Hannah's remarkable career, the National Library of Medicine biography of Dr. Hannah E. Longshore is excellent.
There is also a video of the 2024 Women of Idenlea Estate historical marker dedication associated with the story. This article includes the video along with additional background: Women of Idenlea Estate Honored with Historic Landmark.
🐝 Now THAT is something Worth Buzzing About!
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Are You a BPW/PA Member & Educator?
The PA BPW Foundation Sharon A. Walsh Memorial S.T.R.E.A.M. Grant provides a $500 grant to a BPW/PA member working in K–12 education to help bring creativity and learning to the classroom through Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts & Math.
Whether it’s a new classroom project, hands-on activity, or creative learning opportunity, this grant is designed to help educators inspire their students!
Could you—or a BPW sister you know—benefit from this grant?
👉 Learn more, review the requirements, and find the application here:
Learn More and Apply!
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PA BPW Foundation Scholarships
The PA BPW Foundation is proud to support women as they pursue their educational goals and invest in their futures!
Scholarship opportunities are available through the Foundation to help deserving applicants continue their education and take the next step toward achieving their personal and professional goals.
Know someone who may qualify? Help us spread the word!
👉 Learn more about available scholarships, eligibility requirements, deadlines, and application information:
VIEW SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
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National Coffee Day • September 29
There are some mornings when coffee is a beverage.
And then there are mornings when coffee is basically a coworker. 😂☕
So, in honor of National Coffee Day, we thought Worth Buzzing About needed to investigate one of the most important questions facing professional women everywhere: How many times can you reheat the same cup of coffee before admitting you're just emotionally attached to it?
All joking aside, Americans really do love their coffee. According to the National Coffee Association's newest 2026 data, 66% of American adults drank coffee in the previous day, and specialty coffee consumption has reached a record high.
But coffee's connection to work, conversation and community goes back centuries.
Coffeehouses historically became gathering places where people exchanged news, discussed business and debated the issues of the day. In colonial America, coffeehouses in cities including Philadelphia became important social and commercial meeting places.
There's an interesting women's-history twist, too. Early European coffeehouses were largely male spaces, while women more often shared coffee in private homes and social gatherings.
Today, of course, the coffee shop looks very different. It's the morning meeting place, the remote office, the catch-up-with-a-friend spot, the networking location—and sometimes the place where you sit in your car for five peaceful minutes before dealing with the rest of the world. 😂
Coffee is BIG business
Coffee isn't just keeping us awake. The National Coffee Association reports that the U.S. coffee industry supports more than 2.2 million jobs and contributes roughly $350 billion annually to the U.S. economy.
That's a whole lot of lattes.
And coffee has always been about more than caffeine. The Smithsonian's collections document coffee traditions from around the world, including the Ethiopian coffee ceremony, which is traditionally hosted and performed by women. The ceremony can last one to three hours and centers on hospitality, conversation and building relationships.
Now THAT sounds a little familiar.
Women gathering. Talking. Connecting. Building relationships. Sharing ideas.
Add some committee reports and name tags and we're getting dangerously close to a BPW meeting. 😂💙💛
🐝 THE BUZZ COFFEE POLL
Okay, BPW sisters—we need to know.
What's in YOUR cup?
☕ Black & Bold
🤎 Cream & Sugar
🎃 Pumpkin Spice Everything
🧊 Iced Coffee All Year
✨ Fancy & Fabulous — give me the latte!
🫖 Forget Coffee — Give Me Tea!
And if your answer is “whatever has the most caffeine,” we won't judge. 😉
💡One More Thing Worth Buzzing About…
Coffee has been bringing people together for hundreds of years. Maybe that's why we still love the simple phrase:
“Want to grab a cup of coffee?”
Sometimes it means coffee.
Sometimes it means I need advice.
Sometimes it means we need to talk.
Sometimes it means I haven't seen you in forever.
And sometimes it's where an introduction is made, an idea begins, a friendship grows or a professional connection is formed.
For an organization built around women connecting with and supporting other women, perhaps that's the best coffee fact of all.
So grab your mug, call a BPW sister and celebrate National Coffee Day together. ☕💙💛
🐝 Now THAT'S something Worth Buzzing About!
For anyone who wants to go down a fun coffee-history rabbit hole, the Smithsonian's coffee collections and history are a great place to explore, and the National Coffee Association has current facts and research about America's coffee habits.
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Though Dr. Donna Mettler couldn’t join us at our September meeting while she recovers from knee surgery, her incredible work was front and center! For the 29th consecutive year, Donna’s beautifully designed Member Guide/Program Booklet helped us kick off our new club year with pride and professionalism. What a legacy of service—and what a blessing, mentor, and friend Donna is to Wellsboro BPW and ALL of BPW/PA! We’re cheering you on, Donna! If any BPW sisters would like to send some "sunshine" Donna's way, her address is 65 American Street, Wellsboro, PA 16901.
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WE’RE LIVE!
AND WE’RE LOVING OUR NEW LOOK!
Wellsboro BPW President Pip Burrous has been diligently working behind the scenes—designing, developing, tweaking, polishing, and pouring her creativity into our beautiful NEW Wellsboro BPW website! And today, we’re thrilled to officially say…
www.wellsborobpw.com IS LIVE!
Our new online home was created to CONNECT. INFORM. INSPIRE. AND GROW Wellsboro BPW.
It’s a place to keep our members connected and in the know, introduce prospective members to the warmth and impact of BPW, share upcoming meetings, programs, events, and community projects - and offer a glimpse into what’s happening throughout BPW/PA and District 6.
Members will also find a password-protected Member Directory, created exclusively for BPW connections and member resources.
And now for the woman who made it happen…
KUDOS, PIP!
This was no small undertaking, and we are so grateful for the countless hours, creativity, and care you invested in bringing our new online home to life.
Pip, you make Wellsboro BPW look SO GOOD!
Go explore, click around, and see what’s new at www.wellsborobpw.com! And let Pip know what you think.
New century. New website. Big energy. The zest/best is yet to come!
| Nice turnout for the Masontown BPW “Justice Bell Movie, Book signing & discussion “ held in Uniontown, Pa at the Haddonville School School of the FAyette County Historical society. | |
Left to Right: Denice Robinson, chair, Dorothy Gruskowski, local Historian FAyette County Historical Society & Masontown BPW member Eugene Lint, local Historian, tri-town Historical Society & Sara Cochrane expert, Amanda Owen, film maker & book author of the Justice Bell Story, Executive Director of the Justice Bell Foundation, Frank Kurtik, local Historian
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QUAKERTOWN BPW STARTS WITH BACK TO BUSINESS
The Quakertown Business and Professional Women’s Club began their
new year with a September meeting at John’s Plain and Fancy Diner, Route
309, Quakertown. President Crystal Smith chaired the meeting. She shared
our BPW/PA theme for the year will be “Dream BIG and Squeeze the Day.”
But she also shared that the State Project will focus on the “Alex’s Lemonade
Stand Foundation.” Everyone received a small foam lemon as a gift.
The evening’s program was “Back to Business” as the workings of the
club were presented by the various officers, standing and special chairs and
how they all function together. Parliamentary Procedures according to
Robert’s Rule of Order were also presented. The group also prepared for
their upcoming participation in the Quakertown Alive on Saturday, October
17 using the state project theme. The other important work was for the
recognition of National Business Women’s Week from October 18 to 24.
Signs have been made and members will be posting them around the
Quakertown area.
The new officers for the coming year are Diane Sodano, Esq., Vice-
President, Jean Schlicher and Ellen Miron, Recording Secretaries, Nicole
Pompa, Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary, Gladys Benner, and Toni Rubic,
Parliamentarian.
A new member, Debbie Nace, was inducted by Sheryl Nierenberg,
Membership Chair. Debbie coordinates the Feast Pantry in Trumbauersville
with her husband. We are delighted to have her join our local organization.
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Shop, Save & Support Alex’s Lemonade Stand!
Central Montgomery County BPW has a great way to save while supporting BPW/PA’s State Project!
Purchase a Boscov’s 25% Off Shopping Pass for October 21 and enjoy 25% off your purchases during the special shopping event.
Shopping passes are just $5, and the $5 donation benefits Alex’s Lemonade Stand, helping support the fight against childhood cancer. 🍋💛
It’s an easy way to combine a little shopping with a meaningful cause—save 25% while helping make a difference!
Want a Pass?
Contact Becky @ Central Montgomery County BPW at cmcbpw@gmail.com to purchase your $5 shopping pass.
Shop. Save. Support. Squeeze the Day for a great cause! 🍋💙💛
| Central Montgomery County LO started their 99th year at Charkoal's in King of Prussia. Guest speaker and author of Lilliput Farm, Jenny Donny, joined the club as they welcomed: two new members, Officers and D11 Director, Vicky McCarrick. Everyone Squeezed the Day and raised funds for ALSF. | |
How About Them PA Apples?
There’s just something about fall in Pennsylvania—cooler mornings, changing leaves, pumpkin patches, apple cider, and of course… PA APPLES! 🍎🍏
But did you know Pennsylvania’s connection to apples goes much deeper than a Saturday afternoon at your favorite local orchard?
🍎 A Little Pennsylvania Apple History
Pennsylvania has a long and pretty impressive apple-growing history. According to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, by 1911, 285 apple varieties had originated right here in Pennsylvania!
Among Pennsylvania’s historic varieties are names you may recognize—and a few you may not:
🍎 Smokehouse
🍏 Maiden’s Blush
🍎 York Imperial
🍏 Fallawater
And back then, choosing an apple wasn't just about deciding between red or green at the grocery store.
Different varieties were valued for different purposes. Some were best eaten fresh, while others were grown specifically for baking, drying, cider making, vinegar, or storing through the winter months.
In other words, Pennsylvanians have been serious about their apples for a LONG time.
🥧 From the Orchard to the Table
That apple-growing tradition is still alive across Pennsylvania today, where orchards—many of them family-run—continue producing one of fall's most recognizable fruits.
And really... what would a Pennsylvania fall be without them?
Apple pie.
Apple dumplings.
Apple butter.
Fresh apple cider.
Apple cider donuts.
Caramel apples.
Warm baked apples.
Suddenly this article is making us hungry.
Whether you're picking them straight from the tree, grabbing a bag at a roadside farm stand, baking Grandma's apple pie recipe, or drinking cider on a crisp fall afternoon, you're enjoying a little piece of Pennsylvania agricultural history.
🍎 Pennsylvania Proud
Sometimes being Pennsylvania Proud means celebrating the big things—and sometimes it means appreciating the traditions that have been growing right in our own backyard for generations.
So this fall, when you bite into a crisp apple or pour yourself a glass of cider, remember:
That little apple has some pretty deep Pennsylvania roots.
🍎 Grown Here • Baked Here • Sipped Here • Loved Here
Now the important question...
🍎 What's YOUR favorite way to enjoy Pennsylvania apples?
Apple pie? Apple dumplings? Apple butter? Cider? Straight from the tree?
However you like them, we think we can all agree:
How 'bout them PA apples?! 🍎🍏
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