Leverage Independence for Independents

Celebrate July Fourth with a Close Look at the Value of Sustainability!

What do John Adams and Thomas Jefferson have in common? Founders of the constitution, early Presidents of the U.S. and feuding friends, these two fiercely independent Americans stood proudly for their beliefs. Both died on July 4, Independence Day, a day marking the celebration of independence and independent businesses in communities across the country.

Organizations like Albuquerque Independent Business Alliance, AIBA, present opportunities to their membership for involvement and fellowship annually during “Independent’s” week
AIBA’s Indie Week 2008 urges businesses to be smart and think green in an effort to help make Albuquerque a sustainable leader. The celebration includes a fiesta at LEED Gold Certified Jefferson Green, the offices of Dekker/Perich/Sabatini .

Attendees will experience one of the leading examples of sustainable architecture in the country, discuss becoming a vendor with the City, learn more about alternative transportation, growing a water-wise garden, green considerations in remodeling your office, the “Great Streets” project, and why buying locally produced food makes a difference in our economy and food supply.

More importantly, independent businesses can combine their efforts to be part of an organization dedicated to nurturing and sustaining a value as American as they come: independence. Join the independents!

Passion Creates Advocacy for BPW Young Careerist

Hats off to Trish McKeen, Owner and Executive Director for A New Awakening, Inc. Counseling Agency in Albuquerque, NM who won the Business and Professional Women (BPW) National Title of Young Careerist!

Trish competed at the National BPW Conference in Reno, NV, making her final speech to approximately 1,400 on “Why Mentor Girls at Risk?”

After hearing Trish recap the experience at last night’s local BPW meeting, I’m ready to endorse a Camp BPW program for New Mexico. Because Trish told us about the young girls, their reactions as well as her own, I understood more about her involvement.

Trish didn’t ask the audience to endorse advocacy. She explained how her one day immersion experience created and fostered it. “I am personally a mentor and I am a richer woman for that experience. It has taken strong women who came before me to not accept the status quo and as I stand here today I refuse to let any young girl believe she cannot achieve her dreams.”

Effective? Yes. Her comments reflected passion and authenticity, taking on eloquence as she recapped the experience with stories the audience could see and feel for themselves.

No wonder Trish is a National winner. She inspired our small group of 30 as she outlined her hopes of implementing a similar program in New Mexico.

Congratulations, Trish. We’re proud of you for your achievement and for setting a benchmark that we can aspire to as you show us how to make the world better. We’re proud that you walk your talk. We're proud that you're part of BPW/NM.