Recently in the PR and Media Category

From Special Guest Blogger Susan Wilson Solovic (SBTV):

Are you tired, but have problems sleeping?  Do you suffer pain in your muscles but can't figure out what the problem is?  You may be suffering from Fibromyalgia.  Fibromyalgia is estimated to impact about five percent of the U.S. adult population.  Even with millions of people impacted, diagnosis is not easy because of the complex nature of the condition.  It is estimated to take an average of five years for a person living with Fibromyalgia to get an accurate diagnosis.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition affecting the muscles and joints.  The pain is often accompanied by sleep disorders and chronic fatigue.  I can best compare it to symptoms of the flu, when your entire body aches and the hurt won't stop no matter what you do to try and get comfort.  I know the symptoms well because I am among the estimated 6 million people in the U.S. living with Fibromyalgia.

If you look at me, or my travel schedule, you would probably never guess I face a medical challenge everyday.  However, the debilitating effects of Fibromyalgia is something all of us as business owners, employers, co-workers, friends and family members need to be more aware of in order to keep FM patients from dropping out of the workforce or isolating themselves from society.  That's why SBTV.com is producing a Fibromyalgia Awareness series consisting of video programs, podcasts, blogs , and articles. 

"Child abuse survivors take on a government to protect girls from rape and abuse in Zimbabwe." That is the premise of WIPP member Michealene Cristini Risley's new documentary currently in production- Tapestries of Hope. 

Tapestries of Hope is a story of 2 child abuse survivors who fight to expose the myth in Zimbabwe that if HIV/AIDS infected men have sex with a virgin, they will be cured of their disease.  This film will awaken the world to a horrific issue that can no longer be ignored. 

Their goal is to raise enough money to complete the film by August 2008. Please take a moment to visit the website and consider donating so this important film can be made!

It is the 20th anniversary of the passage of the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 (HR 5050).  The anniversary celebrates legislation that sought to create a more equitable environment for women entrepreneurs. HR 5050 gave women business owners' increased access to credit, expanded data collection on women-owned businesses by the Census Bureau, established the Women's Business Center program  and created the National Women's Business Council.
 
The passage of HR 5050 led to an increase in women-owned businesses as well as the launch of several advocacy organizations including WIPP. We have made great strides since the passage of the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 but there is much work yet to be done. We will update you on several celebratory events - the Past, the Present and the Future, over the next several weeks.

February 28th, Enterprising Women Magazine celebrated the 2008 Enterprising Women of the Year Award program at Disney World's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.    What an incredible event it was with more than 80 women receiving awards.   12 WIPP members celebrated their award with friends and families at the Gala Awards Ceremony:   In the category of $1 -$5 million:   Patty Briguglio, MMI Associates; Laurie Sprouse, Ultimate Ventures;  Lisa Dolan, Securit; and Kara Trott, Quantum Health, Inc.  In the $5 million to $10 million category, were Cheryl Amyx, Amyx, Inc; and Francine Manilow, Manilow Suites, Inc.   In the $10 million to $25 million category were Rebecca Herwick, Global Products, Inc; and Linda Magnusson-Rosario, of InSys Consulting Services, Inc.   In the over $25 million catagory were Kathy Bennett, Bennett Packaging of KC, Inc; Pamela O'Rourke, Icon Information Consultants, LP; and Gail Warrior-Lawrence, of The Warrior Group, Inc. Congratulations to our WIPP members - and all the wonderful women - you are an inspiration to all of us!

This is the sixth year that the magazine has recognized outstanding women business owners, and leaders from top organizations and notables across the country, were present to celebrate their achievements and success.  These women are leaders in their communities, state and nationally as well.    We are so proud of them.   Monica Smiley, Publisher and CEO of Enterprising Women Magazine is, herself, an extraordinary leader - for she recognizes our achievements throughout the year in her publication and she excels in bringing all women together to collaborate and to celebrate.   Thank you, Monica!
 

WIPP and AWRT are pleased to announce more than 10 screenings of the documentary "14 Women" throughout the country during the months of March and April.
 
"14 Women" is a candid and inspirational film that follows 14 female senators in the 109th U.S. Congress.  Screenings of the bi-partisan documentary film will be held at select high schools, as well as community and business organizations, including Girls Incorporated, local Girl Scouts, the Women's Foundation of Arkansas and the Wal-Mart Home Office.  The film was sponsored by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., a longtime AWRT and WIPP supporter and partner. WIPP members Jennifer Bisceglie, Roslyn Blake, Daisy Gallagher, and Kathryn Mahoney will participate in selected screenings to speak on women's leadership and the importance of being involved in the political process. 
  
The "14 Women" screenings will take place in Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles; Philadelphia; Atlanta; Austin, Texas; Bentonville, Ark.; Little Rock, Ark.;, San Francisco; and Nashville, Tenn.  The film's director, Mary Lambert, or the film's producers, Sharon Oreck or Nicole Boxer will attend the screenings to answer questions regarding the documentary and to discuss the importance of female participation in the political system. To learn more about "14 Women" or to obtain additional information on the screenings, please visit www.14womenthemovie.com.