Miami, Florida ---- Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, senior member of the Florida Congressional Delegation, will take part in a press conference, hosted by the Women’s Fund of Miami-Dade County, this upcoming Friday, April 18th to highlight the importance of the “Global Resources and Opportunities for Women to Thrive” (The Growth Act) legislation and urge the House and the Senate to approve it.  The Congresswoman will then attend the Women’s Fund Annual Luncheon, titled “Power of the Purse Part II” along with 1,100 other prominent women from Miami-Dade County.

 

If approved by Congress, “The Growth Act” would:

Promote women’s ability to start and grow businesses.

Enhance women’s land and property rights.

Increase women’s access to higher quality employment.

Ensure that the benefits of global trade reach poor women.

Create a $40 million incentive fund at USAID to encourage US economic opportunity projects in developing countries that incorporate women’s needs.

 

Ros-Lehtinen has been a leading force in the House advocating for “The Growth Act” and along with organizations, such as Women Thrive Worldwide, and Women’s fund, she is urging other Members of Congress to lend their support to this important legislative project.

 

The Congresswoman will also give the welcoming remarks at the luncheon hosted by the Women’s Fund and introduce Ms. Ritu Sharma Fox, Co Founder and President of Women Thrive Worldwide and also the luncheon’s Keynote Speaker.

 

WHO: Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Ritu Sharma Fox, Co Founder and President of Women Thrive Worldwide; Claudia Kitchens, Executive Director of the Women’s Fund, Luz Gomez, Senior Director of ACCION USA, Monica Cepero of PBS & J as well as hundreds of prominent and influential women from South Florida.

 

WHEN:            Friday, April 18th, 2008 at 10:30 AM-Press conference, and at 11:00 AM the Annual Luncheon.

 

WHERE:          Hilton Miami Downtown (formerly the Omni), located at 1601 Biscayne Blvd, Ballroom level, Miami.

 

Said Ros-Lehtinen: “I am so pleased to be able to participate in this important meeting of women who wake up every morning knowing they can make a true difference in peoples’ lives. The Women’s Fund should be congratulated for lobbying on behalf of ‘The Growth Act’ and for having the foresight to prioritize this legislation that can have a profound and lasting positive impact on women across the globe and here at home as well.”