UNIVERSITY SATELLITE SITE FOR WORKING WOMEN'S SUMMIT

Southeast Missouri State University is one of 400 sites nationwide that will be involved in the National Working Women's Summit Thursday.

An estimated 20,000 women nationwide are expected to participate in the summit.

"Economic Equity: Equalities, Responsibilities and Rewards" is the theme for the interactive satellite broadcast that will be held June 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the University Center Missouriana Room at Southeast Missouri State University.

The satellite broadcast is co-sponsored by Southeast, the Greater Kansas City Federal Executive Board and the Missouri Women's Council. The event is free and open to the public.

Dr. Shirley Stennis-Williams, dean of the College of Education at Southeast Missouri State University, will present introductory and closing remarks. Dr. Bernice Coar-Cobb, Southeast associate professor of educational administration and counseling, is coordinating the broadcast here.

An additional 900,000 people are expected to view the broadcast through local cable access channels nationwide.

"Remaining on the cutting edge while trying to balance work and family is a real issue for most working women and women who want to work," said Labor Secretary Alexis M. Herman. "The purpose of this summit is to provide women with all the available options."

The summit will focus on a number of topics including transitioning from welfare to work, pensions, fair pay, lifelong learning, balancing work and family, health and safety, downsizing, affordable child care, job insecurity, handling increased stress and access to entrepreneurial development opportunities.

"The workforce of the future will be even more competitive for women," said Ida Castro, director of the Labor Department Women's Bureau. "The Bureau's goal is to make certain women have the tools they need to obtain and sustain not just any job -- but good paying jobs."