President's Message

International Women’s Day

Last year over 65,000 visited the International Women’s Day website  www.internationalwomensday.com on 8 March alone. It is a feast of information about the events taking place around the world. A very important day in our calendar, the TIAW micro program was officially launched on this day ten years ago. Since that time TIAW has raised funds for  over 100 banks in Africa, Asia, Central and South America.

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TIAW Celebrates its 30^th 
October 25, 2010 in Toronto, Canada

Let The Nominations Begin for 2010 World of Difference 100 Awards!

On October 25, 2010, The International Alliance for Women celebrates its 30^th Anniversary at 2010 World of Difference 100 Awards Gala in Toronto, Canada. At this special evening Gala event, TIAW will celebrate and honor women from all corners of the globe who have made all the difference in the world.

If there is an unsung heroine in your sphere of influence who has worked tirelessly for the betterment of women, nominate her today, so that she may be recognized publicly at the event. Click here to access the nomination form. Act early because nominations close on Monday, May 31^st. <More>

  Chile Devastated by the Seventh Strongest Earthquake in Recorded History

The seventh strongest earthquake in recorded history, an 8.8 magnitude, struck Chile off the coast of the Maule Region on February 27, 2010. The earthquake was so powerful that it is believed that it may have shortened the length of the day by 1.26 microseconds and moved the earth's axis of rotation by 3 inches.

Once again, we ask you to show that TIAW spirit of generosity by making a donation. To assist Chile in a meaningful way, our intention is to fund business loans during the recovery as we have done in other natural disasters, but given the current chaos, we may have to make an exception and use the funds instead for relief rather than loans.  <To make a contribution>  Select Chile Earthquake Fund.

WHAT WILL 2010 BE FOR YOU?
Dreams or Excuses?

TIAW presented its first entrepreneurial webinar for 2010 on February 11, 2010 with Mary Cantando as the featured speaker.  An entrepreneurial executive since 1989, Mary is a recognized authority on women’s business initiatives. Mary also serves as a facilitator for the Women Presidents’ Organization, sits on the advisory board of Enterprising Women magazine and serves on the National Forum of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. Mary is the author of the Women’s Advantage Shared Wisdom Calendar - 365 innovative ideas on strategy, teambuilding, marketing, and finance, garnered from women around the globe who are successfully growing their own businesses. <More>

LILIA C. NAVARRETE
VP Membership

On Wednesday, February 25th, in Pasadena, California, TIAW VP Membership, Lilia Navarrete spoke to a delegation of multinational women leaders from around the world including Afghanistan, Iraq, Singapore, Namibia, Jordan, Morocco, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, the Republican Republic, Armenia, Lebanon, Macedonia, Oman,  Lithuania, Palestinian Territories, Mozambique and Nigeria, under the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, International Visitor Leadership Program and accompanied by three representatives of the U.S. State Department. <More>

Innovation – Business Survival or Bust
By Diana Abruzzi

Creating a Culture of Innovation within your company is one of the keys to surviving the current financial crisis. Experience has shown us that successful entrepreneurs will focus on improving an existing idea rather than inventing a new one. Not only is this cheaper and quicker, but it leverages from an existing proven market, which is being smart and risk adverse.

For example, Virgin Airlines did not invent the airplane they were just more creative and innovative in how they provided the service.

So how can women-owned Small/Medium Enterprises (SMEs) develop new innovations and grow, leveraging off new opportunities and markets to transition themselves to that next stage? <More>

Retreat, Refresh, Reconnect – The recipe for success at Safety Harbor
By Stephanie MacKendrick,
Past President, TIAW

Making connections that are deep and lasting is one of the great pleasures and key benefits of being involved in any organization.  So it’s not surprising that one of TIAW’s most treasured events is the annual “Old Girls” weekend retreat.  That’s when past members of the TIAW Board, current board members and others who just want to be part of the TIAW experience gather each January for a weekend in the quaint old-Florida town of Safety Harbor.  It’s a few days to spend strolling the town past centuries-old, live oak trees, sitting by the pool, enjoying the spa or doing day trips to the many interesting places within reach.  There is no agenda, no deliverables and the only organized aspect is communal dinners where whoever wants to join is free to come along. <More>

TIAW to Host Symposium on The Economic Empowerment of Women
In The City Of London

On Tuesday, 20th April 2010, The International Alliance for Women will be co-hosting an extraordinary event with City Women’s Network at the Chicago Booth Business School in London. The European campus of the University of Chicago’s pre-eminent business school is also an event sponsor.