Take the Lead Challenge Event, Feb. 14

The Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC) Chapter of the American Association of Women in Community Colleges (AAWCC) will be hosting the launch of a new initiative that commits to women holding fair share of leadership positions by 2025, February 19, 2014. People all over the country can tune in on February 19, 2014, 5 pm PST to see Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook and author of Lean In, headline at Take the Lead. This new initiative, which prepares, develops, inspires, and propels women to take their fair share of leadership positions by 2025, launches live at Arizona State University. However, SWOCC’s AAWCC Chapter plans to host two Livestream viewings that are open to the public in: 1) Tioga Hall, Rm 505 on the Coos Bay Campus; 2) Krieger Community Rm on the Curry Campus in Brookings. The program is sponsored by Take The Lead in partnership with Arizona State University. “In the 1920s women marched for the vote; in the 1960s we marched for equality. Now we are mobilizing for parity,” said Gloria Feldt, women’s advocate and New York Times bestselling author who is Co-Founder and President of Take The Lead. Feldt noted that women represent half the population, earn nearly 60% of college degrees, and occupy 47% of the workforce yet hold only 18% of top leadership positions across all sectors, 16.9% of corporate board seats, and 8.1% of the top earner slots. Amy Litzenberger, former investment banker, is Co-Founder and Chairperson of Take The Lead. The launch event features Karen Finney, host of MSNBC Disrupt, who will moderate the panel on Women, Media and Leadership (co-sponsored by the Women’s Media Center and ASU Cronkite School of Journalism) along with Erica Gonzalez, Editor-in-Chief of El Diario/La Prensa, Pat Mitchell, president of the Paley Center for Media. ASU President Michael Crow, Carla Harris, Managing Director Morgan Stanley, and the Hon. Barbara Barrett, former Ambassador to Finland, complete the program. “We want women and men all over the country to hold Take The Lead Challenge parties that evening and invite their friends to be part of our launch through Livestream,” said Feldt. “It’s free and it’s easy.” Take The Lead expects to reach 1 million virtual attendees through online, Livestream. For information about Take The Lead, the Challenge event, on-line Livestream, how to create your own event, or get tickets go to www.taketheleadwomen.com. If you would like to join one of SWOCC’s Livestream viewings, please RSVP with your location preference and contact information to Cari Friesen, SWOCC AAWCC Chapter President at cfriesen@socc.edu or 541-888-7218. Please see the attached flyer provided for distribution.