For Immediate Release:
Monday, February 1, 2010

Contact: Amanda Wurst
614 644-0957/614 558-8120
Amanda.Wurst@governor.ohio.gov

Governor, First Lady Announce
Momentum 2010: Ohio Women’s Summit on March 8
White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett to
Keynote Event on International Women’s Day

Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and First Lady Frances Strickland today announced Momentum 2010: Ohio Women’s Summit, a statewide event to discuss and promote the status of Ohio women and girls in the areas of economics, education, and health.

“Women have made tremendous strides in recent decades and have become successful leaders in education, politics, athletics, business and other professional disciplines. However, much remains to be done to achieve gender equity in Ohio and across the globe,” Governor Strickland said. “Momentum 2010 will provide an opportunity for Ohioans to engage with each other and discuss ways to advance the status of women and girls across the state.”

The Governor’s Office for Women’s Initiatives and Outreach and First Lady Strickland are hosting the forum on March 8, International Women’s Day, at the Vern Riffe Center in Columbus.

“I look forward to a day of celebrating Ohio women and their accomplishments, as well as taking a closer look at how we can further strengthen the power of women in today’s society,” said First Lady Strickland.

Momentum 2010 will be a forum for women to network, come together on women’s policy priorities, and celebrate International Women’s Day.

A statewide Young Women’s Summit for girls ages 12-18 is also being planned at the Columbus School for Girls on Sunday, March 7.

Registration for both events is available at www.ohiowomen2010.org.

Momentum 2010 will consist of a series of workshops, panel discussions and speakers. The event will address topics ranging from access to higher education, women and leadership, violence against women, and the advancement of women in science, technology, engineering and math careers.  The summit will help women with strategies to lead healthy, safe and financially-stable lives, as well as enhance collaboration among women and women’s organizations.

Participants will also have the opportunity to network with women members of Governor’s Strickland’s Cabinet.

A diverse range of speakers will participate in Momentum 2010, including Governor Strickland, First Lady Frances Strickland, Pulitzer Prize winner and Cleveland Plain Dealer columnist Connie Schultz, philanthropist Mavis Leno, and diversity and inclusion expert Audra Bohannon.

Valerie Jarrett, White House senior advisor and assistant to President Barack Obama for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement, will serve as the keynote speaker for the event. Jarrett also serves as chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls.

Jarrett, a leader in the business, government and non-profit communities, served as President/CEO, as well as executive vice president, of the Habitat Company prior to joining the White House. She also served Chicago city government in several roles, including deputy chief of staff for Mayor Richard Daley. Jarrett also held membership on several corporate and non-profit boards prior to joining the Obama administration.

She received a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University in 1978 and a law degree from the University of Michigan in 1981.

A full list of confirmed speakers, as well as the summit, can be found atwww.ohiowomen2010.org. Additional speakers may be added in the coming days.

Momentum 2010 seeks to engage diverse groups of Ohio women, including those of different ages, regions, race/ethnicity, and those with disabilities. Nearly 300 individuals have joined the Momentum 2010 host committee and nearly 60 groups have signed on as supporting organizations.

Related Momentum 2010 events will focus on incarcerated women and girls and take place at the Franklin Pre-Release Center and Scioto Juvenile Correctional Facility in March.

Complete details and registration information can be found at www.ohiowomen2010.org. The cost of registration for the Women’s Summit is $25 through February 4, and $45February 5 and later.  The flat registration fee for the Young Women’s Summit is $5.

Momentum 2010 is a timely opportunity to discuss women’s issues because:
·         Momentum 2010 will be taking place at the same time as the United Nations global conference on women.
·         2010 marks the 90th year since women in the United States gained the right to vote.
·         2010 marks the 100th anniversary since the formal creation of International Women’s Day in 1910. (The first official celebration was 1911).
·         March is National Women’s History Month.

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