Davos: Women’s Forum for the Economy and Society

Here is an excerpt about the Women’s Forum for the Economy and Society from the NY Times.

“It is no coincidence that the Women’s Forum for the Economy and Society in many ways echoes the World Economic Forum in Davos, the famous and still male-dominated gathering in the Swiss Alps.

When the women’s forum founder, the French businesswoman Aude Zieseniss de Thuin, 59, sought to go to Davos a few years ago but failed to get an invitation (or a response to her request), she decided to set up a separate networking hub for women. This year, leaders including Melanne Verveer, the U.S. ambassador-at-large for global women issues, and Anne Lauvergeon, chief executive officer of the nuclear company Areva, rubbed shoulders with women activists from Afghanistan, Burma and Iraq.”

CLICK HERE to read the full article.

The NAWBO chapter of Indiana Honors Women!

INDIANAPOLIS, IND. – The Indianapolis chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO-Indianapolis) will honor women business owners and their advocates at its sixth annual awards and holiday luncheon, Celebrating Women presented by American Family Insurance.

The 2009 luncheon is Wednesday, December 16, at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown, 350 W. Maryland Street, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with one hour of networking beforehand. NAWBO-Indy presenting the 2009 Visionary Awards – Avatar of the Year, Indianapolis Choice, NAWBO-Indy Member of the Year and Woman Business Owner of the Year – to those who have made significant impact on the success of women business owners during 2009.

CLICK HERE for more information!

Featured Business Owner: Gazelle Simmons

I would like to introduce you to Gazelle Simmons, a strong independent woman business owner.  She is a true entrepreneur,  both a virtual assistant and an accomplished author!

Since 1998, Gazelle has been a Virtual Assistant specializing in data entry, presentations, word processing, database management, editing, proofreading, mass mailings, thesis and manuscript processing as well as other clerical services.

Coming from the corporate world with over ten years of experience as an Administrative/Executive Assistant, she has the skills and knowledge necessary to accomplish many tasks.  This experience prepared her to work unsupervised on projects, assignments and daily tasks as well as working until the project is completed.

Her clients have been and continue to be small business owners, independent contractors, website owners, financial advisors, photographers, realtors, writers as well as individuals looking for administrative assistance.

Connect with Gazelle online at Woman Owned, Ryze http://www.ryze.com/go/gazellems, LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/gazellems, Twitter http://twitter.com/gazellems, Facebook http://www.facebook.com/gazelle.simmons,  Soflow, Marzar, Plaxo, and Meetups.com.

Gazelle is also working with a health and wellness company that has been in business for the last 24 years that made over $889 million dollars in 2008. They provide plenty of things we need for daily use such as over 350 products for your home and family-wellness products just for kids, a complete line of superior skin care and cosmetics, natural bath and body solutions, even higher-value pharmaceuticals (no side effects). All are carefully crafted with high standards of quality and performance, and with the safety, health, and wellness of your family in mind.

Recently becoming an author of the e-book “What is a VA and how you can become one?” You can view a free preview of this book at http://vatools.frugaladnetwork.com/index.php/book-preview .  She also wrote a novel “That which does not kill us makes us stronger” (TWDNK) is filled with triumph and tragedy with the heroine of this saga overcoming abuse, depression, adultery, single motherhood and Hurricane Katrina as she keeps the faith with her true warrior’s heart.  Come see how one woman survived it all to continue to rejoice on the other side.

TWDNK will make you weep, laugh, shout for joy and remember why life is so precious.  You can preview this e-book at http://gazelle.simmons.googlepages.com/twdnkpreview

Call Gazelle at 678-423-3187, email at help@admnsrvcs.com or view her website at http://www.admnsrvcs.com for more information. Open Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm, EST.  “My tagline says it all.  “Let me help you grow your business! – Gazelle Simmons.

The SBA and Count Me In are Working Together to Support Women

Two great resources, the SBA (Small Business Association) and Count Me In ( a Womens Economic Program) have joined together to offer education, training and counseling.

Just like Investing In Women, they know of the power collaboration has to grow a business.

From Earth Times.org:

“The alliance between SBA and CMI will help to strengthen and expand small business development opportunities, particularly those to women entrepreneurs. The alliance is intended to promote collaboration on the development of resources and information to benefit the needs of the small business community, and of women-owned small businesses. SBA and CMI will develop a joint podcast on business start-up and financing, as well as a Web chat on small business issues affecting women entrepreneurs.”  CLICK HERE To Read the Full Article

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This Blog is Supporting “Dress For Success”

If you scroll down to the right side of your screen, you will see a widget that says “Help Me Support – Dress for Success” .  When you click on that, you will raise funds for this wonderful organization.  There is no cost to you, just a minute of your time!

The Mission of Dress for Success is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. http://www.dressforsuccess.org/

Women! Put Yourselves First!

It’s not the fifties anymore, women do not have to put their husbands and childrens lives before theirs!  Just ask our First Lady Michelle Obama!  The below excerpt is from the Associated Press, CLICK HERE FOR ARTICLE

“Throughout my life, I’ve learned to make choices that make me happy and make sense for me. Even my husband is happier when I’m happy,” Mrs. Obama said in her first interview with the women’s health monthly. “So I have freed myself to put me on the priority list and say, yes, I can make choices that make me happy, and it will ripple and benefit my kids, my husband and my physical health.”

“That’s hard for women to own. We’re not taught to do that,” she added. “It’s a lesson that I want to teach my girls.”

So the next time you are freaking out because dinner isn’t ready, your hubbies in a bad mood, and your kid’s late for soccer practice……. slow way down and make sure you are not creating more stress for YOURSELF!

A Woman Can Do Anything!

Want proof of that?  All you have to do is keep your eyes open and follow your passion!

DJ Jones rides her motorcycle across 50 States to raise awareness and money for heart disease prevention and awareness; curing Pediatric Cancer; and funding scholarships for survivors of pediatric cancer.

She just completed a fundraising ride to Alaska and back to New Mexico. With the support of many people she raised $1000(wow!)  for the Heart Hospital of New Mexico Foundation and to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation!!

Follow her and be inspired at

http://poseyfoundation.blogspot.com/

Women and Girls are in the News

Here are some interesting articles about women and girls around the world.

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Pamela Shifman, director of initiatives for women and girls at the NoVo Foundation, lays it out plainly, saying that there’s “a growing body of evidence, that when half the population is oppressed and not able to participate in society, it hurts not only girls and women, it hurts everyone.”  CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

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“And the other thing that happens is a young women who gets a fair job with a decent wage will invest 90 per cent of that in her family and children, compared to just 30 or 40 per cent for men, I’m afraid.

“What that results in is her children will almost certainly be well educated and live outside of poverty.”

But Mr Wishart says it is hard for girls and women in developing countries to get an education and then employment. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

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ISSUE: In Peru there is not an educational program about HIV/AIDS for women living with the virus. The absence of self esteem and integral knowledge about sexuality can take to an acceleration of the disease. PROJECT: We designed a program to empower and to elevate their esteem personal and have a better life quality. The principal themes are: self esteem, empower, couple harmony and AIDS and women. Our principal objective is empower women through education in humankind and sexuality…. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

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“The Wyoming Women’s Business Center will continue to ensure that every woman who owns a small business in Wyoming – or any woman who dreams of owning one – has access to the tools they need for their business to be a success,” Barrasso said…. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

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Brought to you by Investing In Women, iiWomen.com, Free Business Resources and Micro Grants

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The Multi National Developement of Women in Technology gets $30,000 from Lockhead Martin

The Multinational Development of Women In Technology (MDIT) is a global non-profit encouraging girls and women to pursue careers in technology.

With this $30,000 grant,  MDWIT will continue to expand globally, supporting local and international programs.

“The application will allow MDWIT to establish a repository of global knowledge to manage and share information. In addition, the system will provide personalized content and social media tools to facilitate two-way communication between MDWIT’s constituents, sponsors, members and partners.”

CLICK HERE to LEARN MORE ABOUT MDWIT.

Women’s Foundation of Southern Arizona

The Women’s Foundation of Southern Arizona was founded in 1992 on the principle that when women thrive, the whole community benefits. Since its inception the WFSA has invested more than $1.2 million in organizations that help women overcome social, political and economic inequities. The Foundation has also been a driving force in political change and advocacy for all women and girls.

The WFSA has awarded grants to several organizations that support women such as the following.

BioLink is  an organization that supports and inspires young girls to pursue education and careers in science.

Youth on Their Own is an organization that assists homeless teenage who are pregnant and mothers  with life planning.

Foundation staff and board members are pleased to discuss giving and volunteer opportunities. Visit the Support Women page to see how you can get involved.

For more information on the Women’s Foundation for Southern Arizona  CLICK HERE!