Text Box: July 2007

Text Box: What you’ll find... Text Box:   Making Women Visible Dinner 2007   Our New Website   Women Owned Business Database   NEW Program Graduation   Women in the Trades Network 2007   10th Anniversary Celebration of the Women Veterans Memorial   Coming in our next edition…. Meet Our New Commissioners

Text Box:       Text Box: Making Women Visible Dinner 2007….A Success! Text Box: On June 21, 2007, the PCSW hosted its annual Making Women Visible Dinner at the Officer’s Club in Hartford. We were joined by a room full of  leaders and advocates from throughout the state. Together we celebrated the successes of the legislative session and discussed areas that still need our hard work. The PCSW also released its preliminary 2007 Legislative Report and announced the release of its new website. Features of our redesigned site are outlined below.   Thank you to those who joined us for dinner and made the event a success!   View additional pictures of the event on our website. Text Box: Announcing PCSW’s New Website Text Box: The PCSW has worked hard over the past year to improve its website to make it even more informative of the work we do on behalf of women in Connecticut. We invite you to visit our site and explore!   When you visit, keep an eye out for these great new features:   · Improved navigation   · Frequently Asked Questions about discrimination   · A photo gallery of our recent events   · Add our meetings and events directly to your Outlook calendar   · PCSW meeting agendas and minutes   · Request a speaker or trainer online for your next meeting or event   · Add yourself to our mailing list   Help Us…..We are looking for a few volunteers to use our website for a month, then give us feedback as to its usefulness and ease of navigation. If you would like to help out, email Barbara Potopowitz.   We hope to see you soon!

Text Box: The PCSW began the Women in the Trades Network in 2006 as a means for women with a career or developing a career in the building and construction trades to meet, receive information from the PCSW on equality efforts and issues, and support future women in the trades. The gathering this April featured Jean de Smet, a master electrician and candidate for Lieutenant Governor for the Green Party in the 2006 state elections. The gatherings have focused on equality issues for women in finding employment and advancement, improving retention, compliance, and working conditions, and building a career in the trades.  The Women In The Trades are also informed of area conferences for tradeswomen and job postings in the trades and non-traditional occupations.     Text Box: Women in the Trades Network 2007 Text Box: 10th Anniversary Celebration of Women Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. this November Text Box: In March of this year we collaborated with the State of Connecticut Department of Veterans’ Affairs to help host the 2nd annual Women in the Armed Services Day at the Veteran’s headquarters in Rocky Hill.  Over 200 women participated in the day which included a panel discussion with women in the military who have been on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan.  They shared personal stories of women at war.  Opening remarks were given by General Wilma Vaught, Founder of the National Women Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.    This year is the 10th anniversary of the dedication of the Women’s Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery.  A celebration will be held November 1 - 4, 2007 and a bus trip to Washington, D.C. is being planned by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.  For more information, visit the Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ website.    

Text Box: Are you, or do you know of a woman owned business looking for more exposure for your business? Would you like to do business with a woman owned business but don’t know where to find one?   The PCSW is putting together a directory of women business owners which will list your name, the name of your business, your contact information and what you do.  We will publish this in print and on our website for all to use when they are looking to buy or utilize services.  This is not a certification program, just a service to women business owners and people who want to do business with them.   If you would like to be a part of this, email Christa Homola and she will email you the request for information needed.

Text Box: Are You a Woman Owned Business? Or Are You Looking to Do Business with a Woman Business Owner? Text Box: Nontraditional Employment for Women Training Program Graduation Text Box: On May 16, 2007, PCSW’s Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW) Training Program held a graduation ceremony for its 2007 graduating class. The awards ceremony was held at the Legislative Office Building and featured guest speakers Comptroller Nancy Wyman, DOL Commissioner Patricia H. Mayfield, Apprenticeship Program Manager Jack Guerrera from the DOL, Training Director Rick Munroe of Ironworkers Local 15 and Chief Operating Officer Alex Johnson of Capital Workforce Partners. The ceremony was followed by a dinner for the graduates and their families at the Officer’s Club in the State Armory.   The 2007 NEW Graduates are: Yolanda Amos - New Britain; Onieka Chambers - Hartford; Theresa Holloway - Vernon; Judy Lashua - Kensington; Reneé Murawski - Bristol; Nancy Murillo- West Hartford; Barbara Ocasio - Hartford; Rachael Otero - Hartford; Rosana Rosado - Hartford; Nicole Ruffino - Middletown; Carolena Stephens - Hartford; Rosa Vargas - Hartford; Marilyn Velez - Hartford; and Stephanie Womack - Windsor.   The NEW training program is designed to prepare women to enter the building and construction trades as apprentices. The program has graduated almost 200 women into non-traditional careers since 1999.  The NEW program is the only all female pre-apprenticeship program in the State and any cities or towns interested in offering it locally should contact Doreen Fredette.