Organizations Unite to Provide Laptops for Women Working to Enhance Educational and Economic Status

March 15, 2011
Contact: Jessica Levinson, Communications Director
215-893-9000 x129

Philadelphia, Pa.—Soroptimist International of the Americas, an international volunteer organization for business and professional women, has announced the renewal of a partnership with Jackson Hewitt Tax Service® to provide laptop computers to recipients of the 2011 Women’s Opportunity Awards, a program created by Soroptimist in 1972 to help women in the pursuit of advancing their educational and career status.

Jackson Hewitt, the nation’s second largest individual tax return preparation company, will donate 25 IBM ThinkPad laptops, fully equipped with operating systems and basic software, to Soroptimist for presentation to its Women’s Opportunity Award recipients this spring.

“In today’s interactive world, we understand the value of technology and how being connected through the use of a laptop can truly make a difference in someone’s life,” said Bob Summers, vice president of engineering, release management and IT operations, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. “We’re honored to be able to provide such a valuable tool to these deserving women.”

The Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Awards program assists women who provide the primary source of financial support for their families by giving them the resources they need to improve their education, skills, and employment prospects. Recipients, many of whom have overcome enormous obstacles including poverty, domestic violence, and drug and alcohol abuse, may use the cash grants to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education—such as books, childcare and transportation.

“Our Women’s Opportunity Award recipients are busy women who are working hard to make a better life for themselves and their families,” said Soroptimist President Sharon Fisher. “The last thing they want to do at the end of a hectic day is spend time in a computer lab. Unfortunately though, many of them cannot afford their own computers. That’s why providing these women with laptops is such a powerful way to help them succeed.”

Soroptimist first started awarding laptops to recipients in 2009 as a way to make it easier for the women to complete their school assignments.

LaShun Washington, a Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Award recipient from Holiday Isles, Florida, received one of the laptops. She attends St. Petersburg College and is working toward a degree in business administration. “These days, you need a computer for everything. Having my own personal computer at home is a godsend,” said Washington. “The laptop helps me with my studies and helps my daughter with her homework. It’s a huge improvement in our lives.”
 
 “On behalf of Soroptimist and women and girls around the world, we thank Jackson Hewitt for this generous donation. Now Soroptimist will be able to help even more women achieve their educational goals and reclaim their dreams of a better life for themselves and their families,” said Fisher.

Headquartered in Philadelphia, Pa., Soroptimist offers programs that improve the lives of women and girls through social and economic empowerment. Its major program, the Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Awards, provides cash grants for women seeking to improve their lives with the help of additional education and training. Each year, about $1.5 million is disbursed to deserving women through this award-winning program. Soroptimist is a 501(c)(3) organization that relies on charitable donations to support its programs. For more information, visit Soroptimist.org.

About Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.
Based in Parsippany, N.J., Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. (NYSE: JTX) is an industry leading provider of full service individual federal and state income tax preparation, with franchised and company-owned office locations throughout the United States.  Jackson Hewitt Tax Service® also offers an online tax preparation product at www.jacksonhewittonline.com.  For more information, or to locate the nearest Jackson Hewitt®, visit www.jacksonhewitt.comor call 1-800-234-1040.  Jackson Hewitt can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.