Jalpa H VIthalani was invited to represnt India at the CSW66 Session on the Commission of Status of Women at the United Nations Headquarters. Her presentation focused on environmental discrimination in the context of burn pits and biochemical waste, disaster risk management, climate change, agriculture, biodiversity & how they impact physical & mental health, especially in women and girls. The event was moderated by Sher Singh & Alice Gallop a parallel program in collaboration with the National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs (NFBPWC). The august panel included Diana Danis, Ashley Pullen Hawkins, Winnie Moore, Maria Carmona Fernandez & Stephanie Seldin Howard
Abstract
Military Veterans find themselves impacted by chemical exposures as a hazard of War (Burn Pits). Likewise, the physical and mental health of the family structure are affected, such as female caregivers, a wife (partner), sister, mother, or children.
The effects of the burn pits are environmental discrimination.
Exposures happen in close proximity to where the military live, work and recreate. And, since women do not self-identify if they have military service, marginalized communities need to be inclusive in the conversation of environmental and disaster risk.
This event will host an interactive discussion about education information, environmental discrimination, and advocacy.
On behalf of the National Federation Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, we are thankful for your participation in the United Nations, Commission and Status on Women, CSW 66. We invite you to learn more about the National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Club (NFBPWC) go to: https://www.nfbpwc.org/about-us
Moderator
Sher Singh
Sher Singh volunteered for many organizations for 30 years, alongside legislators, educators, clergy, government county leaders, PTA’s, from local to national, and local civic community non-profits.
Studied Mass Communication and holds several certifications. In her career, she worked in non- profit agencies, with youth at risk and the physical and the mentally disabled. Also, an event planning career for large events, chaired an art- in- education program for NYS PTAs, as well as positions at the local and regional levels. Sher created a summer job educational program for at risk youth at a Government County level. Using her certification in dance she did programs for schools and elderly Alzheimer’s communities.
A native of Guyana, SA and after living in New York for over 3 decades, she moved to Sacramento and have made this her home. In Sacramento, she is involved with Business Professional Women’s Federation (BPW) on several levels. VP of the Downtown BPW, Bay Capital treasurer, CA Public Policy vice-chair, National’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion chair, and Arts & Culture at the International level. Also, on a city board for the unhoused.
Her current volunteer board positions, Boulevard Park Neighborhood Association; Sac City Parents/Caregivers Steering Committee, Women’s Empowerment Agency’s job readiness for unhoused women program, as a mentor. Sacramento Boards & Commissions Institute, and Sacramento DAs Citizen’s Academy.
Sher served on over 22 Volunteer Boards over the years. Some of these volunteer positions in NY were, Trustee Garnet Health Systems; Garnet Medical Center Board Member, PathStone REDI National Team (Race, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion). Safe Homes of Orange County, Board Member & President. Tribute to Women of Achievement (TWOA) of OC, NY. BPW, Middletown, NY BPW for 13 years, two of which she served as president. To list a few awards, Sher has received TWOA, Woman of Achievement of the Year, Orange County, NY Chamber of Commerce, Volunteer of the Year, Human rights Commission Award.
Alice Gallops
Alice Gallop West Alice Gallop West is a native of Baltimore, Md. She is a graduate of the prestigious Elizabeth Ann Seton High School, Baltimore, MD. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Social Work (BSSW) from Spalding University, Louisville, KY and she is a graduate of the Department of Army, Army Management Staff College, (IC 08/08). Alice holds several certificates and advance graduate coursework from the University of Kentucky, School of Social Work, Department of Defense, Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI) Special Emphasis Program Manager Course (SEPM) (August 2007), Department of Justice, National Victim Assistance Academy, School of Applied Studies, Washburn University, Washburn KS (2001), and has received National Certifications as an Information and Referral Specialist, from Alliance of Information and Referral Specialist (1997) and most notably as a Comprehensive Victim Intervention Specialist (Intermediate) Credentialed Advocate; National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA), 2012 . In 2005 she completed a yearlong legal mentorship program, as a protégé’ to the Deputy, Staff Judge Advocate and Legal Advisor with the United States Army Recruiting Command, Mr. James H. Weise, Esq., LTC, USA, ret. In 2004 Ms Gallop West was recognized by the American Corrections Association (ACA) and the Department of Defense, as being the Best of the Best in Army Corrections. The Best of the Best award is presented annually to a military/civilian member of a DoD service branch, in recognition of the awardees significant contributions to the military corrections program. She has more than 28 years of Active Federal service, beginning with her Active duty military career in the US Army, which began in June 1985. Her military and civilian travels have allowed her to live abroad in South East Asia, Fort Lewis, WA; Fort McClellan, AL; Fort Monmouth, New Jersey; Jefferson City, TN, Fort Knox, KY and Chesapeake, VA.
Now retired, Alice devotes her time to supporting Veterans, Victims and her Community and she continues to serve with passion the following organizations – she is a Life-Time Member of The Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Camouflaged Sisters Organization, an Honorable Kentucky Colonel, Grateful Threads Chapter of Elizabeth City, NC. a Quilt of Valor organization, The Virginia Dare Chapter of the Business and Professional Women of North Carolina, The National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Club-North Carolina (Virtual) and The Elizabeth City Chapter of the Links, Inc.
Panelist
Diana Danis
Diana Danis nationally acclaimed Veteran’s and Women’s Advocate & Activist for 40 years. Content Developer, Writer, Author, Mentor, Public Speaker. United States Congressional testimonies House & Senate 1988 to present. US Army Veteran. National Collaborative team on the long term health, personal issues, stories and legacy of women who serve.
Emphasis on Burn Pits, PFAS (runway foam), chemical, biological and nuclear contamination on US military installations worldwide that have led to the injury and deaths of this population. 2012- now: Ft. McClellan Army Post. Toxic Exposures Team Administrator Issues and impact. EPA stated it is the most toxic post on US soil.
2013-now: Social Media Lead Coordinator for “Service: Women Who Serve” Nearly 10,000 members and over 150,000 national and international followers. Explore toxic Exposures, research and information.
2017 to now: Military Women’s Coalition (MWC) Steering Committee. Chair Sexual Violence/Domestic Violence Policy Committee. Legislation driven organization, including cancer links to Toxic Exposures.
Founder/President of 1st US national social justice organization for women veterans and military women – National Women Veterans Conference (NWVC). Dozens of Congressional meetings covering major issues impacting women in the military and women veterans, with emphasis on toxic exposures, sexual violence and families.
American Forces Network, Europe – Multiple distinguished broadcast journalist awards. Covered bombings, chemical and biological warfare issues used by terrorists in the 1970s. International Women’s Coalition, Germany Forumated Women Centers to address domestic violence against women and children of military personnel. Emphasized dioxin (chemical, biological and nuclear exposures) in SouthEast Asia, and Post Traumatic Stress.
2019-Present Radio/TV Interview Program “America’s Heroes Group”, Chicago multiple programs on Toxic Exposures
2019-Present Newspaper Column “Chicago Crusader” – VOICES. Columns on Toxic exposures.
2019 Inaugural Award, Women Veteran Trailblazers, Department of Veteran Affairs
2015 Lifetime Achievement Award Women Veteran Social Justice (WVSJ)
2015 Founding Co-Director Course/Resource Developer: Think Tank for Changing
Governmental Gender Paradigms, Washington, DC You may reach Diana across all social media platforms.
The National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs welcomes Diana to our parallel program, United Nations, CSW 66.
Ashley Pullen Hawkins
Ashley Pullen Hawkins Ashley is a graduate of Central Hardin High School, Cecilia, KY. She joined the National Guard right out of high school and was deployed to Iraq in 2004. She has served a total of 13 years attaining the rank of Specialist. On 20 March 2005, Specialist Ashley Pullen earned the Bronze Star with Valor, the first ever earned by a woman – launching her into history. In 2001 Ashley was diagnosed with Triple Positive Breast Cancer during the pregnancy of her 5th child. She is currently undergoing treatment. You may reach Ashley across all social media platforms.
The National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs welcomes Ashley to our parallel program, United Nations, CSW 66.
Winnie Moore
Winnie Moore Winnie Moore, Sergeant First Class, United States Army, is currently serving on Active Duty stationed at Fort Rucker, AL She is originally from Trinidad and Tobago. In 1986 she migrated to Brooklyn New York. She joined the military in May 1999, completed Basic Combat Training (BCT) at Fort Jackson, South Carolina before moving on to Joint Base San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas for Advanced Individual Training (AIT). Winnie is a soldiers’ soldier! She has She has been deployed three times, over the course of her 20 plus years of active service. She has completed two tours to Iraq, 2003 and 2009, once to Afghanistan 2011. Winnie is a 2 –time Best-Selling coauthor of the Camouflaged Sisters series Behind the Rank Vol 2. You may reach SFC Moore, winniefreespiritmoore@gmail.com
The National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs welcomes SFC Winnie Moore to our parallel program, United Nations CSW66.
Jalpa H Vithalani
Jalpa H Vithalani Jalpa Vithalani is a businesswoman, artist, gallerist, farmer, social worker and reconnective healing practitioner. Jalpa founded Global Agritech in 1998 –– a pioneer in rose cultivation and was one of the first companies to bring greenhouse technology to India. She is the Vice President of the Western India Floriculture Association and was also appointed to the APEX body of APEDA by Shri. Kamal Nath – the then Minister of Commerce & Industry, Government of India. She was recognized for her ‘Outstanding Contribution to Floriculture’ by the then Chief Minister Shri Sharad Pawar. Jalpa founded Cosmic Heart Gallery, a space dedicated to offering exquisite art collections. She has curated over 200 events related to art, culture and music in a short span of 8 years. She was one of the delegates invited to attend a Peace Conference initiated by USIP (United States Institute of Peace) with Youth Leaders & Delegates from 50 countries at His Holiness’s palace in Dharamshala.
Jalpa is one of the handful Reconnective Healing® Foundational Practitioners in India and has been appointed to the Global Leadership Support team of Reconnective Healing. Jalpa is the President of BPW South Mumbai and is a member of the Arts and Culture Standing Committee. She has been an active part of organizations that work towards women’s empowerment. Jalpa is State Director of an NGO called Humans for Humanity and works extensively with women & children. What they have launched in a big way in collaboration with BPW South Mumbai is WASH – Women Sanitation & Hygiene. They promote Sustainable Menstruation solutions and produce/ distribute Cloth pads with women to provide employment.
The WASH project has covered over 2.5 MILLION women in 6 States in INDIA. Several Cloth Pad Making Virtual workshops have been conducted by us in the pandemic. This has provided a means of employment and livelihood to women across States. Food distribution drives have been carried out during the pandemic.
Jalpa was awarded the Saraswatibai Dadasaheb Phalke Women Achievers Award for Business & Social work Dec 2020. Jalpa was recently recognized with the Women Empowerment Principles Leadership Award by AsiaOne 2020-21 & United Nations Development Corporation (UNDP).
Jalpa was awarded Jana Seva Puraskar Award for Social Work by Shri Ram Niwas Goel, Speaker, New Delhi Assembly (Vidhan Sabha).
BPW South Mumbai was presented BPW Power to Make Difference IV recognizing their efforts to ‘Empower Women by Improving Health and the Environment’ for the triennium 2017-2019.
The National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, appreciates the support Jalpa H. Vithalani has provided in support of this parallel program, United Nations CSW 66.
Stephanie Seldin Howard
Stephanie Seldin Howard Stephanie Seldin Howard is the Director, Producer, and Co-Writer of THE WEIGHT OF HONOR, a documentary about military families caring for their catastrophically war wounded. The film is being seen across the United States by a variety of audiences including universities, museums and conferences. It has been recognized by the Alexandria Film Festival as “Best of Fest,” and received the “Audience Award” at the San Antonio Film Festival, among other honors.
As president of Core Issue Productions, Stephanie believes empathy is the driving force behind storytelling, something she attributes to her 25-year career as a broadcast news producer. The Omaha, Nebraska native is the recipient of a Los Angeles News Emmy Award coupled with two additional Los Angeles News Emmy nominations. She was the co- producer of “Refusenik,” another award-winning documentary about the decades-long movement to free Jews held against their will by the Soviet Union. She can be contacted via email: Stephanie@CoreIssueFilms.com or via the documentary website at www.TheWeightofHonorMovie.com
Maria Carmona Fernandez
After earning my studies in international relations and cooperation for development, I entered the humanitarian world to explore my passion for human rights and sustainable development.
Currently, I am working for the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and Development managing and monitoring malnutrition programs. Within this topic, I also manage projects related to health, climate change, WASH and economic growth always from gender perspective. Prior to this, I was working for the Norwegian Refugee Council in Brussels.
In addition, to my primary job functions, I am also volunteer in a Foundation working with the garbage dump community where we work with the recyclers or pickers women and children. I was awarded as the most prominent leader of the 15th edition of the European Academy of Diplomacy. I spent most of my summer holidays as a volunteer in different countries such us Ukraine or Morocco.
Currently, I reside in Guatemala, the first country in Latin America and the sixth in the world with the highest malnutrición rates.
The National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, appreciates the support of Maria Caromona Fernandez during our parallel program, United Nations CSW 66.
