National Association of Women Business Owners Los Angeles Chapter Announces 17th Annual Hall of...

Business Editors

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 14, 2003

Access Hollywood's Shaun Robinson to MC Event, "Spirit of Success: Celebrating the Spirit of Entrepreneurship," Which Promises to Attract

Prominent Business Owners and Dignitaries from Across the

The National Association of Women Business Owners, Los Angeles Chapter (NAWBO-LA), a premier business organization with a diverse membership, will hold its flagship event, the Annual Hall of Fame Luncheon, on Friday, March 14, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Themed "Spirit of Success: Celebrating the Spirit of Entrepreneurship," the event is one of the largest, most anticipated business events in Los Angeles, with 1500 business leaders, media, dignitaries and celebrities in attendance to recognize top achievers among women entrepreneurs and corporate leaders who have advanced the status of entrepreneurial women and contributed to the community.

"The NAWBO-LA Hall of Fame Luncheon is a great opportunity to celebrate excellence in entrepreneurship and leadership among women," said Renee Fraser, Ph.D., NAWBO-LA president and president/CEO of Fraser Communications, which is the largest woman-owned advertising agency in California. "Our honorees represent the 'best of the best' in Los Angeles and provide inspiration to others. They are all women who demonstrate character as leaders, commitment to the community, and they establish a culture of collaboration and achievement -- which are the values of our NAWBO members."

As the leading membership organization devoted to women entrepreneurs, NAWBO-LA provides a rich environment which encourages members to achieve their greatest potential. NAWBO-LA has grown into an influential organization, drawing support and involvement from such prominent speakers as Laura Chick, Controller for the City of Los Angeles, and California Governor Gray Davis, who spoke at the NAWBO-LA 2002 Hall of Fame Luncheon. NAWBO-LA has played an active role in public policy development, serving to reinforce the economic power and potential of women business owners.

Honorees of the Year include:

-- Honorable Laura Chick, Los Angeles City Controller -- Civic Leader of the Year Award

-- Alice Walker Duff, Ph.D., Crystal Stairs, Inc., and Karen Hill-Scott, Ed.D., Karen Hill-Scott & Company -- Inspirations of the Year Award

-- Bobbi Becker, Metropolitan Water District -- Advocate of the Year Award

-- Maria de Lourdes Sobrino, Lulu's Desserts -- Employer of the Year Award

-- City of Los Angeles Department of Water & Power and Dr. B.J Hawkins, OFS, Supply Chain Management Specialists -- Building Business Through Relationships Award

-- Liz Heller, Buzz Tone -- Rising Star of the Year Award

Hall of Fame Honorees include:

-- Rebecca Barrantes, The Sierra Group

-- Teri M. Bialosky, Print Technology

-- Dr. Noreen Green, Los Angeles Jewish Symphony

-- Cynthia Butler Hayden, Minorities in Business Magazine

-- Sally Forster Jones, Coldwell Banker

-- Margot Kyd, Sempra Energy

-- Joan Miles, Construction Program Group

-- Melinda Moore, THEY

-- Katherine F. Murray, Union Bank of California

The role and impact of women business owners has grown tremendously over the years. As of 2002, there are an estimated 213,759 majority-owned, privately held women-owned firms in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area, accounting for 28% of all privately held firms in the metropolitan area. Women-owned firms in Los Angeles-Long Beach employ almost 364,000 people and generate nearly $52.2 billion in sales.

"We are proud to have such an impressive and accomplished group of women being honored this year," said Cynthia McClain-Hill, NAWBO-LA president-elect, 2003 Hall of Fame Luncheon Chair, and managing partner of McClain-Hill Associates. "The continued growth of female entrepreneurship in vastly diverse industries underscores the critical contributions that women are making to our global economy."

Sponsoring this year's NAWBO-LA Hall of Fame luncheon are numerous international corporations, including American Honda Motor Company, Union Bank, Avery Dennison, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Metropolitan Transit Authority, Raytheon, Southern California Edison, Wells Fargo, Boeing, Disney, Verizon, Metropolitan Water District, Northrop/TRW, Pac Advantage, Univision, and many more.

About NAWBO-LA

The Los Angeles Chapter (NAWBO-LA), a 501c6 non-profit, is one of the largest, most dynamic chapters in the country, with nearly 500 current members. Corporate sponsors include Honda, WellPoint, Edison, Union Bank of California, and Sempra Energy. The NAWBO LA Enterprise Institute, a charitable non-profit (501c3) created by NAWBO-LA, focuses on entrepreneurial education for women and each year holds NAWBO-University, which is an educational conference. Together, the NAWBO-LA Chapter and the NAWBO-LA Enterprise Institute provide a seamless array of business enhancements, including educational programs and resources, advocacy, procurement opportunities and visibility programs for women entrepreneurs, to benefit NAWBO-LA members and the public.

Regional membership meetings are held monthly throughout Los Angeles County to serve local participants' needs. NAWBO-LA also holds general networking meetings for all members and the public throughout the year at its downtown location.

For tickets, please contact NAWBO-LA at (213) 622-3200. More information can be obtained by visiting the website: www.nawbola.org