20TH NATIONAL HISPANIC WOMEN'S CONFERENCE - SPECIAL GUESTS CRISTINA SARALEGUI AND MYRKA DELLANOS

This year's special guest speaker at the corporate luncheon on Friday, September 16, is Cristina Saralegui, host of Univision's "El Show de Cristina." She is a 30-year veteran journalist recognized as the most influential role model for today's Hispanic woman.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will present the special guest appearance of Myrka Dellanos who returns to television soon on a new Univision national show. For over a decade she has been the number one U.S.-born, bilingual broadcast journalist in Spanish television. Special guests also include Jessica Mendoza, U.S. Olympic Gold Softball player, Anne Marie Tallman, President of the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund and Youth Keynote Speaker Ret. Colonel, Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch. During this luncheon, Raul Yzaguirre, past president of the National Council of La Raza, would also be presented a special recognition award.

"Latina Power: Legacies in Leadership is this year's theme and celebrates our 20th anniversary and recognizes Latina leaders who have paved the way for all of us, we are extremely excited about hosting 400 high school youth this year," says Sonja Mazon-Rubalcava, chairwoman conference. "This is the place to be for your source of inspiration, empowerment, and wealth building, both personally and professionally", she said. The conference will highlight influential Latinas who will share their stories of success, an exhibitor pavilion to promote products and services. There will also be a series of workshops and presenters on education, financial planning, parenting, voter outreach, careers, literature and more.

The conference kicks off with a Youth Leadership Conference targeting about 400 area school students. Letters were distributed statewide to select high schools with an invitation for Latina students to attend the conference. According to Rebeca Ronstadt, youth conference coordinator, "We have received an incredible response this year and we are looking forward to providing our young Latinas with the tools and resources they need to learn about college scholarship opportunities, financial planning and career outlook."

Linda Mazon Gutierrez, president of the Hispanic Women's Corporation, is bringing in the best presenters from across the country to celebrate the largest gathering of Latinas across the country. "Providing attendees and high school seniors the top line of nationally recognized speakers in best practices for business, law, education, health, and wealth-building seminars shows the strength this national conference delivers to Latina women" said Mazon Gutierrez and added that "The message we send to corporations, government and non-profits is that it is not enough to open the doors for Latinas. It is expected that political leaders and corporate CEO's mentor and create pathways toward personal and financial success if we are to escape being paid the lowest wages on the earning spectrum. Expanding math, science and entrepreneurial programs in the elementary schools is the beginning toward increasing earning and purchasing power for a lifetime. The investment is great."

This year; over 20 scholarships will be awarded to students ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 to attend Arizona State University. Incoming freshmen who apply for the HWC tuition waiver must have a 3.0 grade point average. Sophomores, juniors and seniors or transferring students also must have a cumulative 3.0 average. This year's scholarship winners will focus on engineering, health and sciences and will be recognized during Friday's corporate luncheon. Five scholarships will be awarded at the University of Arizona in partnership with Canyon Ranch Resort.

The conference also will host a Latina Art Exhibit, Fashion Show and all-day Resume Review Station. Other workshops include: financial management, education, political empowerment, business, health, domestic violence prevention and leadership skills, goal setting, entrepreneurial opportunities, parenting, and time management. There is even a salsa workshop!

Key sponsors for the conference include: APS, Bank of America, Arvizu Advertising & Promotions, Arizona Department of Health Services, Bashas' Food City, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Canyon Ranch Resort, General Motors, Maricopa County Community College District, Qwest, Prensa Hispana, State Compensation Fund, State Farm Insurance Co., Univision, Wells Fargo and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.



The Hispanic Women's Corporation was founded in 1981 and is a model organization, recognized as a 501 © (3) non-profit corporation know for being a proactive leader in the development of Hispanic women. HWC empowers women through its commitment to the culture by promoting higher education, community involvement, professional advancement and leadership development for the improvement of Latinas' cultural quality of life. For more information on HWC or to register for the conference, please visit www.hispanicwomen.org