Georgia Women's Institute Names Charter Board of Directors,
Announces Conference on Leadership and Public Service

Atlanta, GA – (July 26, 2007) - The newly formed Georgia Women’s Institute (GWI) recently held its inaugural board meeting, welcomed its Charter Board of Directors  and announced  its first GWI Conference on Leadership and Public Service. 

Titled “An Invitation to Lead,” the conference is a one-day event that enables attendees to review the need for leadership, learn about the unique qualities of leadership style found in women, develop strategies for becoming actively involved in the home, the community, business and public service.  The conference addresses women who are already active in the home and community and those who are thinking about getting involved in public service as a member of the city council, school board or other elected office.

Co-sponsored by The Plunkett Lecture Service for Public Service, The Georgia Commission on Women and The Murphy Center for Public Service, the conference will take place at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, GA on Saturday, August 18, 2007 from 8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at a cost of $79 that includes lunch.  To register, call 678.839.6611 or register on-line at www.uwgce.com.

Dr. Betty Siegel, President Emeritus, Kennesaw State University and founder of the Siegel Institute of Leadership, Ethics and Character, will address the conference as the luncheon keynote speaker.  An internationally-known inspirational speaker, Dr. Siegel is one of the 50 Most Influential Women in Georgia.

The conference will focus on encouraging women to become leaders and public servants and will feature training and education forums.  The kick-off for this event is a celebratory dinner the evening of August 17th in honor of the GWI Board.   The Honorable Carol Hunstein, Presiding Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court, will give the keynote address and the GWI Board will present Leadership Awards on behalf of the organization.

The Georgia Women’s Institute held its first meeting in May 2007 and announced the following members of its Charter Board of Directors: Luz Borrerro, Betty Rose Bowers, Nancy Hall, Donna Howell, Nancy Hall, Susan Hitchcock, Julianna McConnell, Myra McElhaney, Diane Rogers, Lucinda Sullivan, Deana Womack, and Lani Wong.

Incorporated on Women’s Equality Day, August 26, 2006, the GWI is a nonprofit corporation created by the Founding Board and Executive Committee including Nellie Duke, Board Chair and President; Dr. Mary Lou Frank, Vice President; Linda Muir, Secretary; and Linda Torrence, Treasurer.  Credited with developing the initial concept of the GWI, Mrs. Duke, also Chair of the Georgia Commission on Women, spearheaded the effort to recruit women leaders from across the state to join the board.

The purpose of the Institute is to bring women together, to provide for non-partisan advocacy, leadership and a voice for women, to hold conferences, seminars and training in support of women’s issues, and to provide recognition of women’s accomplishments across the State of Georgia. 

At its first meeting, the Charter Board members approved the appointment of an Advisory Board and eight Regional Councils. Both groups will assist the GWI Board in reaching its mission statewide. 

For additional information, contact:
Susan B. Hitchcock
PR & Communications Committee
Georgia Women’s Institute
770-270-1723
404-775-4507