NetworkNews | Network of Executive Women

MassConnections will hold its 10th Annual Connecting with the Consumer and Shopper Conference Feb. 15-17 in Long Beach, Calif. Among the many featured executives confirmed are Trudy Bourgeois, founder and CEO of the Center for Workforce Excellence and Wal-Mart's Glenn Habern, EVP of New Business, Kent Reeves, VP New Business, and Tony Pate, Food Service Merchandising/Marketing Manager. For more information contact MassConnections or visit their website.

Aldelano Packaging Corp. has received Procter & Gamble’s Minority Business Enterprise Supplier of the Year award. In presenting the award to Aldelano at P&G’s 11th Annual Supplier Diversity Awards luncheon in Cincinnati. Lisa Ott, a P&G supplier diversity manager and snacks and beverage purchasing manager, labels, said, “Aldelano has been a long-term supplier to P&G, and over the years, has truly demonstrated their flexibility, responsiveness and value.” The awards recognized P&G employees, and minority- and women-owned suppliers for their outstanding contributions in the area of supplier diversity during the past fiscal year. “Through their work, P&G’s spending with diverse suppliers in fiscal 2004-05 surpassed $1.5 billion,” according to Icy Williams, P&G’s director of corporate supplier diversity.

Women’s e-News has named top 21 women leaders for the 21st century. Among those honored: Anne Crews, Mary Kay's vice president of government relations, who has led her company to lobby Congress for passage of the Violence Against Women Act and commit $3 million to domestic violence shelters across the country. Carol Bernick, chair of the board of Alberto-Culver, who has blazed the way for female employees to have the option of balancing careers and families, including flextime and job share options. Cindy Hounsell, founder of the Washington-based Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement, is working to ensure that women of all ages and economic backgrounds have access to solid financial planning. Ellen Malcolm, founder of Emily’s List, manages the country's largest grassroots political network. Darlee Crockett is national co-chair of Planned Parenthood's Republicans for Choice. Anita P. DeFrantz, president of the Amateur Athletic Association, a 1976 Olympic bronze medalist and former IOC member, champions equal opportunity for women in sport. Anna Burger heads the newly formed Change to Win Federation of labor unions representing more than 5.4 million workers. HBO's Sheila Nevins uses her media leverage to ensure women are heard in her award-winning documentaries. Irene Trowell is the director of the U.S. Veteran’s Administration’s Center for Women Veterans and helps the agency respond to needs of female vets.

Tolerance.org has issued New Year’s resolutions for those who want to increase the peace in 2006. To become more tolerant, the organization recommends that you: 1. Admit a bias (if you don’t think you have one, count that). 2. Change your mind by trying to better understand the group or issue you’re biased about. 3. Mix things up by associating with new people. 4. Support tolerance, financially or by volunteering. 5. Mend a rift with someone you’ve been intolerant of and take steps toward a deeper, more meaningful relationship. 6. Redefine “funny” by vowing to speak up when someone tells racist, sexist or homophobic jokes. 7. Write a letter to someone who has made offensive or narrow-minded remarks. 8. Start a conversation in your company or community on the subject of tolerance. 9. Take on the establishment – if you see intolerant behavior, speak up. 10. Spend wisely by making sure your dollars reflect your ethics. 11. Match actions with thoughts. Examine your views, then ask if your daily activities match those views. 12. Learn more about tolerance. Ignorance is a mainstay of intolerance, the group says. They recommend that you choose an issue or a group about which you know little, then seek out people, books and materials that can help increase your understanding.