Fourth Annual 'Pennsylvania Women Work!' Leadership Day Attended By Penn College Contingent
Published 04.14.2000
A group of Pennsylvania College of Technology staff, students, New Choices/New Options program participants and local supporters of the College's New Choices/New Options program traveled to Harrisburg recently for the Fourth Annual Pennsylvania Women Work! Leadership Day.
The 23-member Penn College contingent joined the nearly 300 people gathered in the state capital for a day of leadership-training support for career-development services benefiting single parents and displaced homemakers.
College staff attending included Josie Henning, assistant director of career services; and Patricia S. Gordon and Henrietta K. Hadley, coordinators of the New Choices/New Options career development programs offered at Penn College.
Local supporters accompanying them included Sara Dodge, who presents New Choices/New Options workshops, and Geri Loder, case manager for independent living at Ashler Manor, Muncy, who supports New Choices/New Options programming at that facility.
State Treasurer Barbara Hafer was the keynote speaker at an opening brunch, which was followed by a gathering on the steps of the Rotunda that included success stories and recognition of the legislators who have supported career-development services for single parents and displaced homemakers. Hadley sang the opening and closing songs at the ceremonies.
Pennsylvania Women Work! promotes economic equality for all women and self-sufficiency for single parents and displaced homemakers through skill-training, employment development and the Women's Vote Project.
Pennsylvania Women Work! Co-presidents Joyce Blackburn and Janice Himes said the event is unique in providing leadership training and an introduction to the legislative process.
Pennsylvania's 28 locally run New Choices/New Options programs emphasize the need for skilled technical workers in today's workforce. Funding for training is available for eligible program participants.
High-skill, high-wage career training is promoted as the way to self-sufficiency for displaced homemakers, single parents and others whose economic status changes due to a spouse's death, divorce or domestic violence. Statewide, the program served 4,500 people in 1998-99.