International Women's Day 2006 Luncheon

21st Century Woman: dignity and Diversity

The city of Phoenix, Phoenix Women's Commission and the International Women's Day Steering Committee host an annual celebration of International Women's Day that commemorates the continuing struggle of women to improve their lives and raises money for scholarships for women to continue their education. With the direction of 2006 IWD Honorary Chair Ioanna T. Morfessis, Ph.D., president of OI.INC, the 15th Anniversary Leadership Committee, comprised of 29 local influential female business executives, led this year's fundraising efforts. Proceeds from this year's celebration funded $66,500 in scholarships to 10 local colleges and universities.

Annually, a $2,500 fellowship is awarded to the Arizona State University School of Public Affairs in memory of Mary Ann Huerta Jenkins, a city employee and ASU graduate.

This year marked the 15th annual International Women's Day Luncheon. We were proud to host keynote speaker Chin-Ning Chu, president, Strategic Learning Institute and author.



Chin-Ning Chu, 2006
keynote speaker
 Chin-Ning Chu is a business and political consultant, Eastern philosopher, accomplished fashion designer and filmmaker. She is a descendant of a pauper who became the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

Chu's life experiences have been her main personal tutor. Beside being an outstanding author and speaker, she promotes strategic thinking as the core competency among leaders of government and corporations worldwide.

She collaborated with Discovery Television and the U.S. Library of Congress on the production of their Great Books Series: Sun Tzu's Art of War. Chu is president of Asian Marketing Consultants Inc. and chairperson of NeuroScience Industries Inc. "Chin-Ning" means "Journey to Peace" or "Path to Peace." This year's more than 1,400 attendees were inspired by her message.

Since 1995, more than $481,000 has been raised for scholarships that were awarded to 10 local colleges benefiting 519 women.

Presenting sponsors included 3TV Arizona's Family, ARAMARK, city of Phoenix and Prensa Hispana. Gold sponsors included Arizona Public Service, Arizona Woman and Helios Education Foundation. Silver sponsors included Arizona Informant, The Business Journal, IO.Inc, Nixon Peabody LLP and the Phoenix Mercury. Bronze sponsors were Compass Bank, Laurie Beth Jones Inc., Maricopa Community Colleges, The Plaza Companies and US Airways.

The 2007 event will be on March 6 at the Phoenix Convention Center. For sponsorship opportunities, contact the city of Phoenix Equal Opportunity Department at 602-261-8242/voice or 602-534-1557/TTY.

Last Modified on 12/17/2008 09:24:06