April 22, 2008
Contact: Kamali Brooks, Public Relations Manager
215-893-9000 x130, kamali@soroptimist.org 

PHILADELPHIA, Pa.—The National Women’s History Museum (NWHM) today formally welcomed  Soroptimist International of the Americas as the 33rd organization to join its National Coalition. The Coalition’s major focus is to support the mission of the Museum and work with its leaders to acquire a site for a permanent Museum near or on the National Mall in Washington, DC. The NWHM National Coalition members, comprising leading women’s service, education and professional organizations, represent constituencies reaching over 8.6 million members.

The purposes of the NWHM National Coalition are to:

• Support the mission of the National Women’s History Museum 
• Support the efforts to acquire a permanent site on or near the National Mall in Washington, DC. 
• Engage in communication with the NWHM and the other organizations to increase the visibility and public awareness of their respective mission and activities
• Seek opportunities for cooperation and collaboration in programs, educational outreach and exhibitions.

Soroptimist, a 501(c)(3) organization, offers programs that improve social and economic conditions for women and girls. Programs include the Women’s Opportunity Awards, which provides cash grants for head-of-household women seeking to improve their lives with the help of additional education and training. Each year, more than $1 million is disbursed through this award-winning program. In recognition of the power of women and their dreams, Soroptimist also sponsors the Live Your Dream campaign. Visit the campaign's online home at: <www.liveyourdreamcampaign.org>. Visit Soroptimist’s main site at <www.soroptimist.org> to learn more about the organization and its work on behalf of the world’s women and girls.

NWHM National President Joan Wages hailed the support of Soroptimist and the other organizations in the work of the NWHM National Coalition:

“Historically, women’s organizations have banded together to effect change and progress at all levels of American life. We are privileged to have Soroptimist join the Coalition and welcome an organization with such a global reach that began here in our country. We have a new opportunity to share the achievements and contributions of American women and receive greater knowledge and understanding of women’s accomplishments worldwide.”

As of April 2008, the following organizations are officially NWHM National Coalition members:

• American Association of University Women
• American College of Nurse-Midwives
• American Society for Public Administration – Section for Women in Public Administration
• Association of Junior Leagues International
• Business and Professional Women/USA
• Delta Kappa Gamma International Society
• Federally Employed Women
• General Federation of Women’s Clubs
• Hadassah – The Women’s Zionist Organization of America
• League of Women Voters
• MANA – A National Latina Organization
• National Alliance for Partners in Equity
• National Association for Female Executives
• National Association of Women Business Owners
• National Association of Commissions for Women
• National Congress of Black Women
• National Council of Negro Women
• National Education Association
• National Federation of Black Women Business Owners
• National Federation of Press Women
• National Foundation of Women Legislators, Inc.
• National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
• Native American Women’s Business Council
• OWL
• Sewall-Belmont House and Museum
• Soroptimist International of the Americas
• Susan B. Anthony House
• Women in Aerospace
• Women in Defense
• Women in Film & Video
• Women In Military Service For America Memorial Foundation
• Women Presidents' Organization
• Women’s Business Enterprise National Council.

The National Women’s History Museum is a non-partisan, 501 (c )(3) non-profit, educational organization dedicated to restoring the historical contributions and achievements of women to America’s mainstream culture. More information is available on www.nwhm.org.