CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAY WITH FRIENDS — Guests and members of the Ohio Valley Business and Professional Women’s Club met at Scaffidi’s Restaurant and Tavern in Steubenville Thursday evening for the club’s annual Christmas party. Those in attendance enjoyed an evening of food, games, friendship and the group’s main goal of supporting one another. -- Julie Stenger

STEUBENVILLE — Sometimes, we all need someone who will understand us. We need someone who will stand beside us, encourage us, support us and motivate us in all aspects of life, reminding us our dreams matter — especially when it comes to our work, our careers and our aspirations.

Sometimes, those people whom we need can be found right here, in our own community. They are in our neighborhoods, our schools, our businesses, our local clubs.

For nearly a century, members of the Ohio Valley Business and Professional Women’s Club have exemplified all of these qualities and have been that steady presence needed. Since 1929, the club has offered not only professional guidance, but friendship, mentorship and a shared commitment to service.

The Ohio Valley BPW is more than just a club, however. It is a circle of encouragement, a network of support, a beacon of motivation. It is a place where women lift each other up, celebrate successes and walk together through challenges.

Club members and guests gathered at Scaffidi’s Restaurant and Tavern Thursday evening for the group’s annual Christmas party. A celebration where those in attendance could pause and reflect on 2025. They shared stories and memories, welcomed invited guests who are potential members and celebrated the friendships that sustain them. It was a night of joy, reflection and gratitude.

JOINING TOGETHER — The Ohio Valley Business and Professional Women’s Club met with students at Steubenville High School enrolled in the Nike Club. Those at the meeting included, from left, OVBPW Nike Club Adviser Sara Lane; Nike Club members Rheyah Forster, Kylianna Lewis and Sarasia Phsarce; Nike Club Adviser Katrina Morrow; BPW member and guest speaker Holly Lewis; and OVBPW President Dee Kovach. -- Contributed

BPW President Dee Kovach greeted each attendee alongside hostesses Debbie and Brandy Puskarich. The mother and daughter pair provided an evening of games, camaraderie and laughter.

Debbie explained she and her daughter joined the club five years ago, adding she was previously involved in the Weirton BPW Club until it disbanded. She attributed her joining the local group to one woman — club member and former president Phyllis Riccadonna, who has been with the organization since 2005.

Debbie stated she knew the main goal of BPW is its focus on education. Education is an important topic for the Puskarich family, as her company, Puskarich Accounting in Follansbee, has provided an annual $500 scholarship to area students for years through the BPW. In a move to support all stages of a woman’s career, the club prides itself on awarding a non-traditional scholarship, as well. This unique grant is designated for a woman who is not a graduating senior, but who wishes to begin or continue her education to enhance her value within the workforce.

“These are a great group of ladies who are trying to make a difference in the lives of women returning to work or who are continuing their education,” Debbie said of her fellow club members.

Kovach agreed, saying the club has been very enriching in her life.

“My motivation is to build each other up, which is why our meetings have been centered around having a guest speaker who can teach us something,” Kovach commented.

Among those attending the Christmas party were Mary Lou Jones and Julie Decker.

Jones laughed as she commented that she has served as the group’s secretary for 150 years, explaining no one else was interested in filling the position. She attributed her joining to Riccadonna, saying she joined the club approximately 20 years ago.

“I’ve made a lot of friends and learned about business and politics,” Jones said of her time with the BPW. “I have a lot of fun.”

Decker has served in the capacity of president and treasurer, noting she joined the club seven years ago.

She is active in assisting the club with its annual Wine and Shoe Extravaganza fundraiser, held each April to raise money toward scholarships. This year, Decker said she was assigned a new role in addition to her putting together the baskets for the Chinese auction, along with the purses used in the handbag auction. She will now be in charge of purchasing the wine for the upcoming event, she said, noting the tasks are time-consuming, but enjoyable and worth every minute.

Riccadonna, the woman whom several members have attributed as being the reason they joined the club, explained how she came to join the group.

She recalled how she had been invited to speak at a meeting of the Steubenville Business and Professional Women’s Club many years ago. Upon arriving, Riccadonna noticed there were only four people in attendance. When she asked when the others would arrive, she was told, “This is it.” Then, she was asked if she would consider being the club’s new president. She agreed to the request. However, she saw that some changes needed to be made. She decided to change the name of the club in order to involve those on the other side of the river.

The Steubenville club soon became the Ohio Valley club. More than 50 women had been recruited by Riccadonna. The group became so large, two speakers were needed during the monthly meetings, with the new president always ensuring it was a woman speaking on the topic of her business.

“When the name changed, the women who joined were younger and more aware of the need to change the laws for women in the workplace,” Riccadonna explained. “They were aware of the inequality of what women earned at the same job compared to men.”

The BPW’s club year runs from September through May, with the final month serving as the greatest culmination of its charitable efforts.

Members assembled for their first official meeting of the year Sept. 16 at the Laurels of Steubenville. The atmosphere was set for collaboration with a lively “speed networking” session, which saw members rotating tables every two minutes.

This high-energy activity was designed to foster new connections, allowing the women to learn more about each other’s professional backgrounds and interests as they embarked on the new club year.

A special highlight of the evening was the presentation of a lifetime membership award to member Lorraine Linton.

Linton, who first joined the group in 1991, was honored for her decades of commitment and unwavering service to the organization.

The Ohio Valley BPW’s mission remains clear: To provide professional and personal growth opportunities and to actively promote equity for women in the workplace. Membership is open to all working or retired women eager to further these vital goals.

The club held its Nov. 18 meeting at Steubenville High School, meeting with students involved in the Nike Club. The young women of Nike are already learning what it means to serve, to lead, to give of themselves, having hosted blood drives with the American Red Cross.

Led by adviser Katrina Morrow, their efforts mirror the heartbeat of BPW — service to community, and the shaping of tomorrow’s leaders.

Having BPW meet with Nike members brought about inspiration for the students through the introduction of guest speaker Holly Lewis, a Navy veteran and former McKesson executive who helped launch EnterpriseRx before founding her own coaching business.

She spoke about rewriting the rules, about the strength that comes when women back each other, of challenges like the “prove it again bias” and the likeability-confidence trade-off.

Service, too, remains at the heart of BPW. Lorraine Linton invited members to join in the tradition of the annual Salvation Army bell ringing to round out 2025. And as the new year approaches, the club looks ahead with anticipation. From casual socials to powerhouse speakers, from opportunities for growth to celebrations, the year will shine by working together, Kovach stated.

The lineup is designed to inspire, empower and connect. That same heartbeat carries into the club’s fundraising.

In May, members gather for their final meeting to award scholarships to area high school seniors who plan to continue their education at the college level. According to Kovach, the club typically presents approximately three scholarships each year. Five were awarded at the last event due to the success of its primary fundraiser, the annual Wine and Shoe Extravaganza.

Held every April, the event has become one of the most popular social gatherings in the Ohio Valley, drawing hundreds of guests each year. The next Wine and Shoe will be held April 18, at the St. Francis Center in Follansbee. Tickets are $40. However, the value is far greater than the price, with an evening of laughter, fellowship and purpose. It is more than an event — it is a celebration of women gathering together, raising funds to continue their mission and enjoying an evening of fellowship. Its focus is to recognize and honor area women making a strong impact in the lives of others. A highlight of the fundraiser is the announcement of the Woman of the Year, selected from five nominees. The winner is chosen by popular vote cast by those in attendance.

Beyond these local activities, the Ohio Valley chapter maintains a strong presence at the state level. On May 17, the club participated in the 105th-annual conference in Columbus. The event was a celebration of women’s accomplishments and fostered connections among chapters throughout the state.

Amelia Taggart, immediate past state president, said she was asked 20 years ago to join by Riccadonna.

“I found a group of women all driven, with common goals who worked well together,” Taggart said. She remembered the fashion shows, cooking with wine events, the Grape Expectations held at the Rose for years. Now, the Wine and Shoe Extravaganza with its Woman of the Year nominees is another change for the area women to shine and celebrate the work of so many local women, honoring them for their business and their community service, Taggart added.

Through all of this, the mission endures. Since 1929, BPW has sought to provide opportunities for growth and to promote equity for women in the workplace. Membership is open to any working or retired woman, and the invitation is always there. The next meeting will be held Jan. 20, with Kovach welcoming those who wish to learn about the club.

Sometimes, we all need someone who will understand us. In the Ohio Valley, that someone has been found in the women of the Business and Professional Women’s Club. For nearly a century, they have stood strong.

And today, they continue to shine — a testament to what happens when women come together with purpose, pride and compassion.