SOROPTIMIST COMMENDS NEW WHITE HOUSE COUNCIL ON WOMEN AND GIRLS

March 19, 2009
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, commends President Barack Obama’s recent creation of the White House Council on Women and Girls.

“As an organization dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls, Soroptimist is delighted that President Obama is putting the issues of women and girls front and center and giving them a seat at the White House table,” said Soroptimist Executive Director Leigh Wintz.

“We know that areas such as equal pay, family leave, and child care—to name a few—are not just women’s issues. They are family issues. And economic issues. And societal issues. Making sure that women and girls are treated fairly in all matters of public policy, which is the mission of this council, is key to the overall health of the nation.”

President Obama noted that while women and girls make up half the nation’s population, women make up only 17 percent of the members of U.S. Congress and three percent of the heads of the top 500 corporations in the United States.

“The president is sending a clear message that equality for women is a priority for his administration. As an organization that’s been working on this issue for more almost 90 years, we applaud the new administration for taking this important step,” added Wintz.

Headquartered in Philadelphia, Pa., Soroptimist offers programs that improve the lives of women and girls through three distinct platforms: economic empowerment, elimination of violence, and gender equality. 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, more than $1 million is disbursed to deserving women through this award-winning program. Soroptimist, a 501(c)(3) organization that relies on charitable donations to support its programs, also sponsors the Live Your Dream campaign in recognition of the power of women and their dreams. Visit the campaign’s online home at: LiveYourDreamCampaign.org. For more information on Soroptimist, visit Soroptimist.org.

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