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WB News Release: [10/20/2004]
Contact Name: Jane Norris or Peggy Abrahamson
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676 or x5052

National Women’s Leadership Summit Showcases Benefits of Partnerships, Mentoring

Summit Brings together Women Leaders from Across the Nation

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Labor's Women's Bureau, in partnership with WE Inc., hosted the National Women's Leadership Summit this week where about 350 women leaders and mentors from around the nation met here to discuss the benefits of partnerships and mentoring in building pathways to success for America's working women.

“Women continue to be the driving force behind the economy, and the Labor Department is pleased to work with our partners nationwide to help transform the goals of ‘Better Jobs, Better Earnings, and Better Living' into a reality,” said Women's Bureau Director Shinae Chun. “This conference presents a wonderful opportunity to share information about how to make our valuable programs even better and help women realize their dreams.”

Attendees discussed the successes and the lessons learned from a number of Women's Bureau initiatives they have participated in, including:

• GEM-SET (Girls E-Mentoring in Science, Engineering and Technology), a program to encourage girls to pursue careers in science, engineering and technology;
• GEM-Nursing (Group E-Mentoring in Nursing), a program to encourage young people to pursue careers in nursing and healthcare;
• Flex-Options for Women (Workplace Flexibility Options), an on-line mentoring program for business owners;
• Wi$e Up, a program to help educate young women about personal financial management.

The mission of the Women's Bureau is to promote profitable employment opportunities for women, to empower them by enhancing their skills and improving their working conditions and to provide employers with more alternatives to meet their labor needs. For further information about Women's Bureau programs and initiatives, please visit www.dol.gov/wb/welcome.html.

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