February 23, 2009

MEDIA CONTACT: Thai Phi Stone
tpstone@gwu.edu; (202) 994-6424

IN TIMES OF CHANGE, WOMEN STEP UP AND TAKE CHARGE
APRIL 3, 2009

GW's Mount Vernon Campus to Host Annual Women's Leadership Conference

EVENT:

Michelle Rhee, chancellor of D.C. Public Schools, joins a group of talented and successful women at the 2009 Women's Leadership Conference: Stepping Up for Change to discuss important issues facing women today. Topics to be addressed include taking charge of your own success, effective communications and writing skills, negotiating self-worth, and gaining personal and career opportunities from professional, nonprofit, and social organizations. Hosted by The George Washington University's Mount Vernon Campus, the conference is a celebration of women in leadership roles.

WHEN:

Friday, April, 3, 2009; 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
The George Washington University
Mount Vernon Campus
2100 Foxhall Road, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20007

The Vern Express, a free shuttle service connecting the Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses, offers departures from each campus every five to 10 minutes weekdays and every 15 minutes on weekends. The Vern Express schedule is available online at http://gwired.gwu.edu/mvcl/Express/schedule.

AGENDA:

Keynote: 9 - 10:15 a.m. (Eckles Memorial Library Auditorium)
Terri Crisp, animal advocate and author of Out of Harms Way and Emergency Animal Rescue Stories

Professional Development Sessions: 10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. (Academic Building)
- "Financial Literacy for Women in a Time of Change," presented by Candi Kaplan, B.A. '70, and Sarah Kaplan of Kaplan Financial Group
- "Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone," presented by Diane DePalma, counselor

Luncheon: 12:15 - 2 p.m. (Post Hall)
Address by Michelle Rhee, chancellor of D.C. Public Schools

Coffeehouse and Panel Discussion: 2:15 - 3:45 p.m. (Post Hall)
Laura Taddeucci Downs, B.A. '92, M.A. '95, president-elect of The GW Alumni Association, will moderate a panel titled "Stepping Up for Change: Personal Stories." Participating in the panel are Theresea "Memphis" Holland, MVC B.A. '88, principal at Holland Development Group; Cynthia "Cissy" Frye Wilson, MVS '68, MVC AA '70, former mayor of Granbury, Texas; and Gillian McHale, B.A. '08, a secondary school English teacher.

COST:

Registration cost is $50 and $10 for GW students. Registration is available online at www.gwired.gwu.edu/wlc/registration/2009 or by contacting the Office of Academic Affairs at GW's Mount Vernon Campus at (202) 242-6697 or wlp@gwu.edu.

RSVP:

The event is open to members of the media. Media interested in attending should contact Thai Phi Stone at (202) 994-6424 or tpstone@gwu.edu.

BACKGROUND:

Held each spring, the Elizabeth Somers Leadership Center and the Women's Leadership Conference bring together an intergenerational audience of professional women, many of whom are alumni and students, to discuss the personal and professional challenges facing women in the 21st century.

The 2009 Women's Leadership Conference is presented by The George Washington Alumni Association, Office of the Associate Vice President and Dean of Freshmen, and the Elizabeth Somers Center.

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