Somerset
Business & Professional Women's Club
Somerset
Business & Professional Women's Club
Monthly meetings are on the 4th Thursday of each month beginning at 5:30pm.
Our next meeting is on March 28,, 2024 @ 5:30 pm
Important Reminders & Updates
Upcoming Event Reminder
Dear Ladies,
We're thrilled to announce that the South Central Region Spring Meeting Committee has been diligently crafting an exceptional gathering for you. We warmly invite you to join us on Saturday, April 13, at the serene setting of Lake Cumberland State Resort Park.
For a nominal fee of $35, your registration includes a delightful spread featuring a full breakfast buffet and lunch buffet with salad bar, a lovely goodie bag, and a copy of the empowering leadership book, "Who Says It's a Man's World: The Girls' Guide to Corporate Domination!" Additionally, you'll be able to witness the South-Central Region Aspiring Professional and Professional Development speak-off contest, with winners advancing to the State Competition.
We're honored to present Christy Carpenter as our esteemed guest speaker. Christy will share invaluable insights on "The Art of Negotiation," drawing from her transformative experiences as a woman navigating the corporate world. With a career in banking at Springfield State Bank and a deep commitment to community service, including volunteer chaplaincy at Ephraim McDowell Hospital in Danville and involvement with One Bridge to Hope, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to supporting female juveniles in need, Christy brings a wealth of wisdom and passion to her presentation. Each attendee will also receive a special gift from Christy.
To secure your spot, please complete the registration form and turn in to Rikiyah Pryor no later than April 1st!
Christy Carpenter
Executive Vice President & CTO at Springfield State Bank
2023 Women in Business Award
Charlotte Keeney
Charlotte Keeney is the Director of the Pulaski Co. Public Library. She has been employed at the library for 47 years and has served as Library director for 14 years. Charlotte and her late husband, Bruce Keeney were married for 35 years. She has two children Gary Gibson, Ginger, and Matt Shelley. She is a graduate of Eastern Ky. University with a Business Management Degree/option in Human Resources. She is a member of the American Library Association, Kentucky Public Library Association, and Southeastern Public Library Association and was awarded the Margaret F. Willis Outstanding Community Library Service Award in 2019 from the Kentucky Public Library Association.
Charlotte is a graduate of the Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber’s leadership class of 1999 and has served as Chamber Ambassador and currently is serving on the Pulaski Co. Chamber’s Board of Directors.
She has served as President of Downtown Somerset Development Corporation; served on the Connect Kentucky initiative through the Governor’s office; served on the Kentucky Libraries Intellectual Freedom Committee, member of interagency and as Secretary, and served on CASA Board as treasurer.
Currently, she serves on the Pulaski County Cemetery Board, the Pulaski County Educational Consortium Board, the Pulaski Co. Cemetery Board, the Radon Advisory Board through the University of Kentucky and Dolly Parton Imagination Library Board. She is treasurer for her Church, Rock Lick Baptist.
Love on a Leash is her passion, serving the citizens of Pulaski Co. through her therapy dog Pea.
Charlotte was instrumental in the founding of the Southeastern Kentucky chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SEK-SHRM) where she has served as Foundation Chair and is Past President of the Chapter.
thank you to our supporters
Sandi Parkey;Pink Zebra Presidential Director/Independent Consultant
Somerset KY
Your support will directly benefit our members by providing funds for educational programs, leadership development, and community outreach initiatives. In addition, your sponsorship will help us continue to offer scholarships to local women pursuing higher education and career advancement.
supporter discounts for members
Free headshots for all somerset bpw members.
contact amanda muse, 606-219-6006
want to become a supporter?
who we are
history
in 1919 While mobilizing for World War I, the U.S. Government recognized the need for a cohesive group to coordinate identification of women’s available skills and experience. A Women’s War Council, financed through a federal grant, was established by the War Department to organize the resources of professional women. The National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs was founded on July 15, 1919. The organization later filed to “do business as” (dba) Business and Professional Women/USA (BPW/USA). Throughout the years, three major issues shaped BPW/USA’s legislative agenda: elimination of sex discrimination in employment, the principle of equal pay, and the need for a comprehensive equal rights amendment.
today
Our local Business and Professional Women's Club was established in 1930. President Kate Sitton paved the way for business women throughout Pulaski and surrounding counties to be treated as equals in the workplace. Focusing on equal pay, equal rights and the elimination of sex discrimination were just the beginning. Somerset BPW also has provided scholarships to non-traditional, secondary education students and given back to other local organizaitions that promote quality and equality of life.
This year, our club will be turning 93 years old!
Networking
Join us on the 4th Thursday of every month for a chance to network with a strong group of business professionals and entrepreneurial women. Our goal is to provide support and resources to help support your professional goals while making lifelong friends.
Giving Back
Our passion to give back is what makes us a truly community-driven club. Every year, we award 2 scholarships to women in need who are pursuing higher education. The Sally Murphy and Martha Fulcher Estep Scholarships are available through Somerset Community College.
Supporting Local
We love supporting our local communities by speaking at local events, volunteering, and getting involved in community action. Staying connected is what helps our community grow and raises up the next generation of women business leaders.
Calendar 2024
January
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February
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March
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Aprıl
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July
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August
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September
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October
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KFBPW month
November
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December
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23/ 30 | 24/ 31 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
Board Meeting days
Monthly membership meetings
special meetings and events
Monthly Meeting Hosts
Upcoming Special Events
March Events
Somerset Business & Professional Women’s Club 4th Thursday of the month – 5:30pm.
14 Expressions Tea “St. Patrick’s Day Tea Party” – Expressions Tea & Gifts, Grand Central Place, 2835 S. Hwy 27, Suite 372, Somerset, KY, 5:30pm. Make reservations now for this great St. Patty’s themed culinary experience. For menu, reservations and info call 606-677-2012 or email ginny.stephens@newvista.org.
16 Shamrock Shuffle 2024 – Somerset Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce Office, 236 E. Mt. Vernon St. Somerset, KY, 10am. You're invited to attend the 12th Annual Shamrock Shuffle 5K that will take place on Saturday, March 16th in downtown Somerset. Come out for a day of fun and racing in the Pulaski County area as we celebrate St. Patrick's Day...Lake Cumberland Style!!! The Shamrock Shuffle welcomes participants of all ability levels. The course is a measured 5K race, and professional chip timing will be used. There will still be a costume contest and huge after party. Info 606-679-7323 or www.somersetpulaskichamber.com.
20 Maternity, Baby & Kid’s Expo 2024 – Center for Rural Development, 2292 S Hwy 27, Somerset, KY, 4pm-6pm. Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital is hosting a Maternity, Baby & Kids Expo at The Center for Rural Development. Join us on Wednesday, March 20, for a special event celebrating life stages from prenatal to preschool. Enjoy inflatables, giveaways & prizes, family resources, local vendors, meet with pediatricians, and so much more! This is a FREE event, no registration required. Info 606-677-6000 or www.centertech.com.
21 Classic Movie Night at The Virginia: Harvey – The Virginia Theater, 214 E. Mt. Vernon St., Somerset, 7:00pm. Join emcee and local film enthusiast John Alexander for Classic Movie Night at The Virginia, featuring Harvey. A 1950 American comedy-drama film based on Mary Chase’s 1944 play of the same name, directed by Henry Koster, and starring James Stewart and Josephine Hull. The story centers on a man whose best friend is a puca named Harvey, a 6 ft 3+1⁄2 in tall white invisible rabbit, and the ensuing debacle when the man’s sister tries to have him committed to a sanatorium. Info 606-679-6366 or view policies here: https://thevirginiaky.com.
2024
March Events
21, 22, 23 & 24 Somerset High School Presents “The Little Mermaid” – W. B. Jones Auditorium, 301 College St., Somerset, KY, Thu, Fri & Sat 7:00pm, Sun 2:30pm. Somerset High School presents the musical The Little Mermaid. Info https://shs.somerset.kyschools.us/quick-links/musical .
22 The Virginia Presents “Band on the Run: A Tribute to Paul McCartney” – The Virginia Theater, 214 E. Mt. Vernon St., Somerset, Doors open 7pm show starts at 8pm. Relive the legendary music of Paul McCartney with an incredible 5-piece ensemble dedicated to celebrating the iconic career of Paul McCartney, spanning from his days with The Beatles to his work with Wings and his solo LPs. Featuring some of Nashville’s finest musicians, Band on the Run performs with exceptional attention to detail and a passion for recreating McCartney’s timeless hits with unmatched precision. Their extensive repertoire guarantees a show that will inspire fans of all ages! Info 606-679-6366 or view policies here: https://thevirginiaky.com.
22, 23 & 24 Lake Cumberland Childrens Theater Presents “Radium Girls” – Center for Rural Development, 2292 S Hwy 27, Somerset, KY, Fri and Sat 7pm and Sun 2pm. Radium Girls is D.W. Gregory’s gripping drama based on the true story of female laborers who were poisoned and killed by their factory’s radium-based paint. Though Radium Girls ranges from 1918 through the 1940s, the bulk of the narrative is centered on events in New Jersey in the mid-1920s. The play highlights Grace, Irene, and Kathryn who paint dials in the U.S. Radium Plant and are instructed to finely point their brushes by molding the bristles with the mouths while painting. The factory’s owner, Arthur Roeder, is excited by radium’s promising future and believes in the company’s potential for growth. Roeder’s mindset is supported by Marie Curie, the internationally famous scientist, who believes radium provides many health benefits and could cause cancer. But soon the girls begin to notice disturbing health issues, and one of their co-workers dies, her death is brushed aside. Info 606-677-6000 or www.centertech.com.
30 Burnside’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt – Cole Park, 7929 S. Hwy 27, Burnside, KY, 9am. Burnside! Join Burnside Tourism for our annual Easter Egg Hunt! This FREE community event is open to ages 12 and under. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and all ages will be released to hunt at 10 a.m. Come out for a hippity-hoppity good time! Info 606-561-4113 or https://www.facebook.com/burnsidecityhall.
30 Wool & Flax Garden Party Spring Market 2024 – Center for Rural Development, 2292 S. Hwy 27, Somerset, KY, 11am-5pm. This CREATIVE POP-UP MARKET event is truly a one-of-a-kind eclectic market highlighting so many fresh, talented artisans and boutique curators from across the state of Kentucky and beyond! You can come expecting to find: Handmade Artisan Goods, Home Décor, Unique Clothing Boutiques, Delicious Food, Specialty Drinks & Treats, Cute Photo Opportunities and more. Come experience a fun day out with friends and family. Info 606-677-6000, www.centertech.com or www.facebook.com/events/243894442132304/.
committees 2024
scholarship
Chair: Barbara Sanders
Patricia Nadim
Nancy Cox
Edna Jackson
Sharon Schnelle
Donna Hunley
membership onboarding / yearbook
Chair: Rikiyah Pryor
Ginger Henderson
Debra Ruckel
aspiring professionals program
Chair: Kathy Townsend
Tammy Hill
Donna Hunley
Katie Slone
nomination
Chair: Joanna Harness
Edna Jackson
Allison Hicks
Marion Price
Rikiyah Pryor
public relations
Chair: Brenda Pryor
Miranda Lyons
Kathy Townsend
Emily Decker
Rikiyah Pryor
fundraising
Chair: Sharon Schnelle
Rebecca McCord
Joanna Harness
Patricia Nadim
Wanda Maybry
Emily Decker
Ginger Henderson
Kara Hawk
foundation
Chair: Katie Slone
Sheila Hugges
Ginger Henderson
bylaws
Chair: Patricia Nadim
Debra Lambert
Debra Ruckel
Members
Rikiyah Pryor
President
Citizens Bank
Brenda Pryor
President Elect
Focal Point Consulting
Rebecca McCord
Vice President
Chick-Fil-A
Katie Slone
Secretary
Judge, District Court
Ginger Henderson Treasurer
Tax Preparer
Patricia Nadim
Parlimentarian
Realtor- Century 21
Joanna Harness
Administrator
Retired -PC Board of Education / Banking
Allison | Hicks | Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital |
Amber | Frangos | She Wins LLC & Flashback Theater |
Ashley | Morrow | Targeted Case Manager |
Barbara | Sanders | Retired - Banking |
Debra | Ruckel | UPS Store |
Debra | Lambert | Supreme Court Justice |
Donna | Hunley | Retired - Banking |
Edna | Jackson | Retired - Bookstore Manager |
Emily | Decker | Century 21 |
Kathy | Perkins | Healthy Somerset Director |
Kara | Hawk | Alzheimer’s Association |
Kylie | Nelson | Cumberland Furniture Outlet |
Marion | Price | Pulaski County Funeral Home |
Miranda | Lyons | Prosperity Real Estate |
Nancy | Cox | Retired - Teaching |
Penny | Risenbergs | Lindsey Wilson College |
Rosemary | Bray | Chick-Fil-A |
Sandi | Parkey | Sugaring NYC, Scentsy |
Sharon | Schnelle | Attorney at Law |
Sarah | Waddle | Serendipity at the Orange Door |
Sheila | Hugges | Retired US Air Force |
Tammy | Hill | State Farm Insurance |
Wanda | Mabry | Rental Properties Owner |
Member Businesses