SAN FRANCISCO, California – The Honourable Helena Guergis today received one of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council's (WBENC) first two International Luminary Awards for her work with WEConnect Canada. The Awards were presented at WBENC's National Conference and Business Fair, being held in San Francisco, June 9 to 11, 2009.
"I am honoured and deeply humbled to accept this award on behalf of the many individuals and organizations involved in launching WEConnect Canada," said Minister Guergis. A second luminary award is also being presented to the Honourable Lorely Burt of the United Kingdom for her work with WEConnect UK. Ms. Burt is a Member of Parliament for the riding of Solihull in the West Midlands of England.
The recently launched WEConnect Canada chapter, a member of WEConnect International, is a non-profit organization that certifies firms that are at least 51 per cent women-owned and connects them with the growing corporate and public sector demand for diverse suppliers. The first 19 certified Canadian business women are on their first International Business Trade Mission in San Francisco this week.
"As Canada's first Minister to have sole responsibility for the status of women portfolio, I am proud that our Government recognizes the economic potential that women's full and equal participation represents for our country as whole," says Ms. Guergis.
"It is an absolute honour for me to be part of a Government that understands the importance of providing market access to global supply chains for Canadian business women. This is a significant commitment to their success. Our partnership with WEConnect underscores our belief in women and demonstrates yet another concrete action towards improving women's overall economic security and prosperity."
From November 23 to December 5, 2009, the Government of Canada will participate in an interactive Canadian Women Entrepreneurs' Mission to China and Hong Kong. It is designed to help women learn more about the world's most dynamic economy and discover first-hand the business potential of the Greater China area.
Founded in 1997, the WBENC is the United States' leading advocate of women-owned businesses as suppliers to U.S. multinational corporations, working to foster diversity in the world of commerce and eliminate marketplace barriers to women business owners.
WEConnect Canada promotes the international certification standard for women-owned businesses and develops new national certification organizations. WEConnect International is a corporate-led initiative of Quantum Leaps, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that promotes women's enterprise development globally.
Status of Women Canada is a federal government agency working to promote equality for women and their full participation of women in the economic, social and democratic life of Canada.
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Sherine Mansour
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State (Status of Women)
819-956-4000
Nanci-Jean Waugh
Director General, Communications and Strategic Planning
Status of Women Canada
613-995-7839
