Oct. 10, 2002 – The St. John Business and Professional Women celebrates BPW week with a series of events that culminate Nov. 17 with their annual luncheon at the Westin Resort.
The event begins at 12:30 p.m. and will honor Charles and Terry Pishko, Catherine Taylor, Ira Wade and Dionne Wells. Tickets are $35.
Yvonne Wells, who serves as the organization's president, said that the Pishkos give unselfishly to many community activities. While they have fingers in many pies, these St. John residents put a lot of time into the annual Julius E. Sprauve School gala that raises money for the school.
Taylor is an emergency medical technician who works for the Health Department on St. John. "She's very pleasant and always willing to assist," Wells said. Taylor is always available to present workshops to help residents improve their health, Wells said.
Wade, who is deputy commissioner of Public Works, goes way beyond the extra mile to get the job done. "He does everything, even clean the bathroom," Wells said.
She said that Dionne Wells, who is her daughter, is being honored for the hard work she contributes to keep the BPW moving forward.
The younger Wells is teaches science to eighth- and ninth-graders at Julius E. Sprauve School and serves as the organization's vice-president.
Other events include a seminar on rape and molestation Oct. 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the Legislature Building. It will be presented by Michal Rhymer, the director of the Family Resource Center, and is a joint effort by BPW and AARP.
On Oct. 21, members will gather at 11:30 a.m. for lunch at Myrah Keating Smith Community Health Center.
On Oct. 24, the Rev. Grafton Griffith will speak on "A New Vision in Nutrition" at 5:30 p.m. at the Battery,
Wells said the BPW needs to recruit more members like her daughter because most of the members are "elderly ladies."
"We're trying to encourage more young people to join," she said.
The BPW affords opportunities for young people, including a $1,000 local scholarship and the chance to apply for national scholarships, she said.
Wells said the group is sponsoring a jump rope team that hopes to participate in national competitions.
The organization began in 1965, with Elaine Sprauve, Athyl Sewer, Elaine Samuel, Ethlyn Hall and Edith Dennen as founding members.
For more information about the organization, call Wells at 693-5270 or her co-chairwoman, Erica McDonald, at 774-6757.
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