Maitland BPW

3 August 2006

Source:  Maitland BPW Media Release

Maitland Attorney, Kellie Tranter, has commenced her two year term as President of Maitland Business & Professional Women.  She succeeded the outgoing President, Jennifer Leslie of Farrow Wyatt, at BPW's recent Annual General Meeting.  She opened her term with a challenge to participate and a call to action:

"BPW's main focus is on mentoring, leadership training and giving women responsibilities so that they can advance in their careers and become leaders in their fields.  Our members contribute to society by "helping women to help themselves".  Worldwide, BPW projects include vocational training, microfinancing, career guidance, helping women in crisis to regain economic independence, mentoring and speaking out on issues of importance.

BPW's strength lies in action more than words so we need to prioritise the issues that concern us and lobby for appropriate laws and policies at local, state and national levels.  Women are an important force:  for example, at last count in Maitland they formed 51% of the population.  One of the most important issues we face is a lack of data to help us understand the current status of women and how to overcome the obstacles that face them, as well as data on the real benefits, the social and financial return on investment, when gender issues are addressed.  A recent article in The Economist described women as the "world's most under utilised resource" and showed that getting more women into work is part of the solution to many economic woes, including shrinking populations, skills shortages and poverty.  Nobel Prize-winning economist Amartya Sen also has argued that nothing is more important for development today than the economic, political and social participation of women.  Another important goal should be teaching all children conflict resolution skills from a very early age, something that would have wide ranging personal, societal and international benefits.

BPW believes in partnerships and collaborations.  We are happy to work with other organisations with similar aims in order to achieve our common goals, and now is the time to get moving, with both State and Federal elections approaching."

To participate or for membership enquiries please contact Catherine Eather on (02) 49 33 0564 or email cath@kellietranterattorney.com.au