July 1, 2002

MECKLENBURG COUNTY WOMEN’S COMMISSION TO HOST NATIONAL CONVENTION
NACW Convention at Ballantyne Resort July 16 - 21

Charlotte, NC – Women and advocates for women’s issues will converge on Mecklenburg County this month for the national convention of the National Association of Commissions for Women. The convention will be held July 16 – 21, 2002, at the Ballantyne Resort in Charlotte.

Women and advocates for women’s issues will converge on Mecklenburg County this month for the national convention of the The convention will be held July 16 – 21, 2002, at the Ballantyne Resort in Charlotte.

It’s the 33 ^rd annual NACW convention, and the theme for 2002 is "Changes, Chances, Choices: Retooling for the 21 ^st Century." This is the first time the Mecklenburg County Women’s Commission has hosted the national convention. Springs Industries, Inc. of Fort Mill, SC, is the primary local sponsor. Corporate sponsors are BellSouth, Duke Energy, Verizon and SBC.

The convention will consist of a variety of workshops and seminars. Workshop topics include:

• Workforce equity
• Women’s health
• Teen issues
• Women in science and technology
• Leadership
• Abortion and reproductive rights
• Domestic violence

Speakers will include Crandall Bowles, President/CEO of Springs Industries, Inc. and Erskine Bowles, U.S. Senate candidate and former White House Chief of Staff. Both are scheduled to address the convention at the President’s Reception. Other speakers will include members of the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners, Charlotte City Council, and the North Carolina General Assembly.

The full schedule of events and workshops can be obtained by checking the Web sites www.co.mecklenburg.nc.us/cowom or www.nacw.org