Cherie Blair endorses Women in Africa

"I am delighted to be able to endorse the goals of your conference, which so clearly match those of my Cherie Blair Foundation for Women in helping women across the world to realise their potential by promoting and supporting their economic independence.

"Women with economic security and independence have much greater control over the lives of themselves and their children. It also, importantly, gives women a more influential voice in their communities and wider society to tackle injustice and discrimination," she concludes.

The conference is organised by Women in Finance, 85 Broads, a US-based network for women executives and ACCA, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.

Speaker lineup:

• Herta von Stiegel who will present her documentary 'the Mountain Within', an inspiring tale of the climb she led up Kilimanjaro with 28 disabled people;
  
• Marijo Bos, board member of European Professional Women's Network and specialist in multi-cultural leadership
  
• Sharron McPherson, chairperson of Women's Enterprise Development Initiative
  
• Lynda Smith, head of Refirement, a South African organisation that taps into and encourages the use of baby boomers' talent
  
• Kim Meredith - local author of Work Diva: How To Climb The Corporate Ladder Without Selling Your Soul,
  
• Charlotte Middleton - internationally recognised consultant on sustainable development and co-author of Special Issue on Corporate Citizenship in Africa.

The patron of Women in Finance, Edith Venter, will also address the conference and Gwen Watkins will chair it.

Tickets at R2500 are available from Colleen Larsen and payment terms and discounts for women's associations are offered. The price includes the networking dinner on Tuesday, 20 April 2010.

Email Colleen Larsen on or book online at www.soafrica.com/events/WIA/registration.htm or phone Gwen Watkins on +27 (0) 83 390 5686.