(PHILADELPHIA) -- WOMENS WAY will host the 3rd Annual Women & Influence Conference: Past, Present and Future on Saturday, November 12, 2005, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Community College of Philadelphia’s Winnet Student Life Building, 1700 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia. Women & Influence is a FREE half-day conference consisting of stimulating plenary sessions, interactive discussions, and a keynote address by leading women’s activist Martha Burk. 

Panel presenters from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds will lead interactive, educational discussions focusing on women’s status, concerns, and contributions in the past, present, and future. Each conference participant will be invited to participate in a dynamic group conversation during the lunch hour to discuss issues affecting women today and identify ways to advance women’s role in society for tomorrow. The overall goal of this conference is to challenge women to participate actively in a variety of community and workplace settings in order to accelerate the pace of progress for themselves and all women.

The Women & Influence Conference is an important annual public forum that allows more than 300 women to come together to address issues concerning women on a local and national level. The conference focuses on the lack of representation of women in key leadership roles in our region and aims to increase public awareness of women’s issues while providing a venue for women to network with one another.  “WOMENS WAY is proud to continue this lively, productive discussion of women’s leadership,” said Melissa Weiler Gerber, Executive Director of WOMENS WAY.  “It is critical to look at where we came from and how the past influences power dynamics today, but even more important to search for the alliances and strategies that will move us forward at a faster clip tomorrow.”WOMENS WAY extends sincere thanks to its Presenting Sponsor, Citizens Bank, for generously underwriting the 2005 Women & Influence Conference. Special thanks to The Women’s Center at the Community College of Philadelphia for partnering with WOMENS WAY and making available its facilities.

This year’s keynote address will be provided by Martha Burk, Ph.D. Dr. Burk currently serves as Chair of the National Council of Women's Organizations (NCWO), a network of more than 200 national women's groups collectively representing ten million women. Dr. Burk led the NCWO effort to open the Augusta National Golf Club to women, and remains at the forefront of the debate on women's progress in corporate America. In addition, Dr. Burk is Co-Founder and President of the Center for Advancement of Public Policy in Washington D.C., a syndicated columnist, political psychologist, women’s equity expert, and was named one of Ms. Magazine’s 2003 “Women of the Year.”

“We are so pleased to once again partner with WOMENS WAY to host this annual conference,” said Pamela A. Crawley, Senior Vice President and Director of Public Affairs for Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania. “This event is a fantastic opportunity to engage women of all ages in an interactive dialogue about our progress and our future as leaders.”    

WOMENS WAY, the nation’s oldest and largest women’s fund raising federation, raises money and public awareness to fight for and achieve women's equality, safety, self-sufficiency and reproductive freedom through women-centered funding, advocacy and education.

WOMENS WAY invites you to step up the pace of women’s progress by joining WOMENS WAY and scores of interesting and influential women of all ages at the 3^rd Annual Women & Influence Conference. Registrations for the conference are now being accepted by calling WOMENS WAY at 215-985-3322 or visiting www.womensway.org.  Early registration is strongly recommended as space is limited for this FREE event. Lunch will be provided.