March 2006

Dear IWF Members:

International Women's Day is celebrated worldwide on March 8 and in the United States is observed as part of Women's History Month. On March 7 of this year, the IWF was invited to participate in International Women's Day ceremonies at the White House as guests of President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush.

Along with Deedee Corradini, a member of the Utah Forum and director of the IWF Leadership Foundation, and IWF CEO Lillie Richardella, I was pleased to represent the IWF at this observance. Among the invitees were women parliamentarians from Afghanistan and women leaders from Iraq . It was wonderful to be among them and women leaders from other nations to celebrate the contributions—and sacrifices—women everywhere are making on behalf of their communities and societies. And it reaffirmed my belief in what I call “The Gift of the IWF”— the richness of the countries, cultures, languages, and mores the IWF embraces; the ability the IWF gives us to transcend boundaries of state and nation and share our knowledge, ideas, life experiences, and hopes and dreams for a better future; the voice IWF gives to women worldwide.

International Women's Day followed the February winter meetings of the IWF and IWF Leadership Foundation boards of directors in Rome . Marina Vaccari, president of both IWF Italy and the IWF Presidents' Council, and members of IWF Italy gave us the warmest of welcomes to Rome . We also were honored to meet with Her Excellency Hanna Suchocka, former Prime Minister of Poland and Ambassador to the Holy See, at her lovely residence for a wide-ranging conversation and reception.

IWF director, The Honorable Jennifer Dorn (Washington, DC), who recently was appointed by President Bush and confirmed by the United States Senate as the U.S. Alternate Executive Director of the World Bank, was required to resign from outside boards that encompass an international focus. We extend to Jenna our heartfelt thanks for the years of service and lift she brought to IWF, and we wish her continued success in her key post at the World Bank. IWF is proud to welcome Ludmila Shvetsova, First Deputy Mayor, Government of Moscow and President of IWF Russia to the IWF board who I appointed to fill the remaining term.

In late January, I was in Los Angeles at the invitation of the Trusteeship (Southern California Forum) for their annual meeting and celebration honoring outgoing President Marti Hammer and incoming President Diane Wittenberg. At a luncheon preceding the annual meeting dinner, I had the opportunity to meet with several members of the Trusteeship and exchange ideas about the IWF. How we more effectively can use technology to communicate across the IWF, its member forums, and the 3,800 women leaders worldwide who comprise the IWF emerged as a key challenge.

The IWF website is one of our chief means of communication. I value highly your comments and suggestions. And I would like to hear what you think about our website and what ideas you have for how we can make it even better. I also welcome your thoughts about how we can use technology broadly defined to strengthen the IWF. You can reach me at gcook@iwforum.org .

I look forward to seeing you in Madrid for the IWF Global Cornerstone from May 17 to 20. Already, more than 200 of you are coming to take part in a conference on “ Bridging the Leadership Gap: Empowering Families, Business & Civil Society. ” Twenty-two countries will be represented, a number we expect to grow as registration continues. Also with us will be alumni from the IWF Leadership Foundation's Fellows Program and young leaders. I am grateful to IWF Spain, its president Ines Gomis, and its members for hosting what promises to be a memorable Cornerstone in a truly magnificent city. If you haven't yet registered, there still is time!

Planning also is well under way for the 2006 IWF World Leadership Conference and Gala in Seattle from September 26 to 29, hosted by Washington State Forum members, their president Deborah Bevier, and conference co-chair Sally Jewell. Mark your calendars, and stay tuned for details I promise will draw you to Seattle —a city that is an exemplar of innovation and counts Canada and Asia among its neighbors.

Warm regards,

Gay Cook

IWF President