Workingwomen Advocates Speak Out on Capitol Hill

Workingwomen Advocates Speak Out on Capitol Hill
BPW/USA Hosts Its Annual Policy & Action Conference

Washington, DC, January 31, 2006 — This Thursday, February 2nd, over 200 members and supporters of Business and Professional Women/ USA (BPW/USA) will visit Capitol Hill to lobby on behalf of the organization’s national legislative platform. This lobby day kicks off the 2006 BPW/USA Policy & Action Conference: Changing Policies That Impact Workplaces, scheduled February 2-3, 2006.

The three bills for which BPW/USA is lobbying are Johanna’s Law, The Healthy Families Act and the Retirement Security for Life Act. The lobby day includes advocacy training, an expert panel discussion about the three bills and a luncheon on Capitol Hill. Following the luncheon, conference attendees will visit the offices of their Members of Congress. The expert panelists to discuss the three bills are Cindy Hounsell, Executive Director of WISER, Sheryl Silver, Founder and President of Alliance for Women’s Cancer Awareness and Holly Fechner, Policy Director and Chief Labor & Pensions Counsel for the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee.

Roslyn Ridgeway, National President for BPW/USA is energized by the annual policy conference. “We are looking forward to hearing from the dynamic leaders and presenters who signify the importance and empowerment of women in the marketplace,” said Ridgeway.

Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) will address conference attendees during a luncheon preceding the lobby visits. The lobby day will close with a BPW/PAC event featuring pollsters Celinda Lake and Kellyanne Conway, authors of the book, “What Women Really Want”, which was featured on the Today Show.

BPW/USA CEO Deborah Frett characterizes the conference as a catalyst for women to become change agents. “The Policy & Action Conference allows our membership and working women to present a unified front to elected leaders and policymakers on the issues that impact women nationwide,” explains Frett.

“This year we offered an online tool, the Advocacy Classroom created by Advocacy Associates, to prepare conference attendees for their lobby visits,” commented Ridgeway concurring with Frett’s assessment. “This tool easily and clearly outlined the legislation as well as how to lobby on Capitol Hill. It empowered users.”

A special research and education day will be held on Friday, February 3rd featuring employers and organizations that are re-shaping and re-thinking workplaces as a result of policy. Participants have a selection of workshops to attend and the option to receive continuing education units.

The 2006 BPW/USA Policy & Action Conference will be held at the Wyndham Washington Hotel, 1400 M Street, NW in Washington, DC.

Founded in 1919, Business and Professional Women/USA promotes equity for all women in the workplace through advocacy, education and information. With 1,300 Local Organizations across the country and members in every congressional district, BPW/USA is the leading advocate for millions of workingwomen on work-life effectiveness and workplace equity issues. BPW Local Organizations provide members with professional development programs, networking, participation in grassroots activism and scholarship opportunities.

For more information, go to www.bpwusa.org