IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 18, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Continuing the effort to recognize female leaders in Orange County, the Association for Women in Technology, Southern California (AWT), will hold its third Women's Technology Leadership Forum at the Hyatt Regency in Irvine, Calif. on Thursday, September 25 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. AWT's Leadership Forum, a quarterly event, provides an ongoing platform for women throughout Southern California's technology industry to share their experiences.
This quarter's forum, sponsored by BDS Marketing, Bock Communications and Compuware, will include a unique panel presentation featuring three successful, high-ranking women in the local technology field:
-- Leslie House, Vice President of Kids Business Unit for Knowledge
Adventure, a subsidiary of Vivendi Universal
-- Burnetta Tate, Vice President of Sales Operations, West Area for
Verizon Wireless
-- Debra Richardson, the Ted and Janice Smith Family Foundation
Professor and Interim Dean, School of Information and Computer
Science, University of California, Irvine
The women will share stories of the challenge, choice, change and commitment issues they have faced in their careers.
"AWT's Women's Technology Leadership Forum provides an opportunity for successful women to offer guidance and advice to our members and guests regarding issues facing women and the various career paths available in technology including entrepreneurship," said Cynthia Cotteta, president of AWT. "We also strive to recognize charitable programs that seek to enhance the lives of people in our community through the use of technology."
This quarter's event will assist two local charity drives. AWT is supporting the Verizon Wireless HopeLine(sm) program by holding a wireless phone recycling drive at the Tech Forum. HopeLine program puts wireless products and services to work to benefit the community. The program primarily focuses on the prevention of domestic violence and increasing community awareness of this national epidemic. HopeLine's national phone recycling program collects previously owned wireless handsets to be refurbished, recycled and/or sold for the benefit of domestic violence victims and advocacy groups. AWT encourages attendees to bring used wireless phones and accessories to the event.
AWT is also sponsoring a Working Wardrobes(r) clothing/accessories drive at the quarterly event. Working Wardrobes, a non-profit, nonsectarian organization based in Orange County, assists survivors of domestic violence and other adults in crisis to reclaim self esteem and re-enter the workforce. The organization serves people from community colleges, CalWorks, social service agencies, and 55 shelters and programs throughout Orange County. AWT encourages Technology Leadership Forum attendees to bring, on a hanger, quality men's and women's casual and professional clothing, accessories, shoes and belts. Working Wardrobes will also accept used office equipment such as fax machines and Pentium 3 or 4 computers. Equipment donations can be arranged at the event.
AWT's Women's Technology Leadership Forum is open to the public, welcomes both women and men, and will take place at the Hyatt Regency Irvine, 17900 Jamboree Road, Irvine, Calif. 92614. The cost of the forum is as follows: $10 for AWT members who register online, $15 for AWT members at the door, $20 for guests who register online, and $25 for guests at the door. In addition, members from the Orange County Chapters of the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs (FWE) and the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) may attend at the AWT member rate. Registration and payment is available online at http://www.mollyguard.com/event/7933730. For more information about the Women's Technology Leadership Forum, please contact Joanne Smith at joanne@awtsocal.org.
About the Association for Women in Technology
The Association for Women in Technology, Southern California is a local non-profit organization dedicated to serving the advancement of women and girls in all fields of technology. As a dynamic organization for learning, entrepreneurship and mentorship opportunities, AWT bridges the gap between industry, education and community institutions and continues to strengthen the fabric of the Southern California technology region. The organization holds meetings and events on a regular basis, attracting women in every area of technology, from those just entering the field to senior level management and technology innovators. To learn more about AWT, please visit the group's website at www.awtsocal.org.