Business and Professional Women/USA Salutes and Honors Veterans This Holiday

Business and Professional Women/USA Salutes and Honors Veterans This Holiday
Membership Organization Supports Women Veterans Year-Round

Washington, DC, May 26, 2006- In honor of the Memorial Day and Armed Forces holidays, Business and Professional Women/USA (BPW/USA), re-affirms its commitment to women veterans through its national program, Women Joining Forces: Closing Ranks, Opening Doors. The program was created to support women veterans transitioning from military service into the civilian workplace and their lives.

Women Joining Forces (WJF) offers a full dues waiver for a 1-year introductory membership to women exiting military service in 2006 and discounted membership to other women veterans. A WJF Advisory Council consisting of women veterans and decision makers at agencies that serve veterans was created to help shape the program. On June 1st, the BPW/USA Career Center will launch as the first job board specifically created to highlight women and veteran friendly employers.

“BPW is uniquely positioned to assist women veterans with a national network that can offer leadership training, professional skill development and mentoring,” explains Roslyn Ridgeway, national president for BPW/USA.

BPW/USA is a multi-generational, bipartisan membership organization that fosters the success of workingwomen by providing career advancement resources, work life strategies and personal and professional connections.

Lifetime Television is BPW/USA’s media partner to promote WJF program. A link has been posted for women veterans on its Our Lifetime Commitment web site at www.lifetimetv.com/olc

“Business and Professional Women/USA is the only non-governmental agency offering assistance to transitioning women veterans,” says Deborah Frett, CEO of BPW/USA. “We saw a need and used the grassroots power of our organization to fill it.”

A special WJF salute will be part of BPW/USA’s 2006 National Conference in Dallas Texas from July 18-22. Visit www.bpwusa.org/nationalconference

For more information and statistics on women veterans, visit www.womenjoiningforces.org

Business and Professional Women/USA, founded in 1919, 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.

###