Myrna Lardizabal De Vera Honored Nationally as a Filipina of Distinction in the USA

San Francisco, CA, October 3, 2009 – The Filipina Women’s Network (FWN) has selected Myrna Lardizabal De Vera, Vice-Chair, City of Hercules Planning Commission, as one of the 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the U.S., “Policymakers & Visionaries” category.

The 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the U.S. Award™ honors Filipina women who are changing the face of power in America and who have reached status for outstanding work in their respective fields and who are recognized for their leadership and achievements in the U.S. workplace and communities.

“The 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the U.S. are dynamic leaders who are influential in their respective fields and local communities. These role models are powerful examples of women doing extraordinary work who will inspire our youth and future leaders,” said Lieutenant Colonel Shirley Saoit Raguindin of the Arizona National Guard and chair of the FWN 100 Nationwide Search and Selection Committee. “The awardees are asked to womentor a protégée so we can double the number of Filipina leaders by 2012. They were selected from nominations submitted from across the United States.”

“The selection process included personal interviews of the qualified nominees based on six categories and selection criteria conducted by a team of 2007 FWN 100 Awardees. In the spirit of collaboration, the scores were tabulated with the help of members of the Filipino American Association of Certified Public Accountants,” said Elena Mangahas, board chair of the Filipina Women’s Network.

The 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the U.S. Awards™ is a working recognition award, a key initiative of Pinay Power 2012. Pinay Power 2012 is a dream with a meaningful purpose: double the number of Filipina women leaders by 2012.

“The awardees will participate in the Womentoring Pinay Circles, which will be launched at the 6th Filipina Leadership Summit in Berkeley, California,” said Marily Mondejar, president of the Filipina Women’s Network. “The Pinay Circles aim to provide professional and personal development of women leaders, exposing them to critical public and private sector issues affecting Filipina women and enhancing their competitive knowledge from state, national and global perspectives. It connects Filipina leaders from across the U.S. with each other and with decision-makers, thinkers and practitioners and promotes creativity and innovation through the sharing of ideas and best practices. The Pinay Circle members are empowered to contribute more fully to the communities and companies in which they live and work.”

Pinay Power 2012 began in 2006 with a dream to inspire, inform, and advance Filipina women leaders who would influence the Filipino American community’s future. It provides a critical pathway for successful women who care about advancement, achievement, and significance. These women are not only talking about change, but plan to be part of making it happen.

For additional details concerning Pinay Power 2012 and to attend the Filipina Leadership Summit, call (415) 278-9410 or go to www.FilipinaWomensNetwork.org. For additional details concerning Myrna Lardizabal De Vera, contact Lorna Dietz at RadiantView@gmail.com or (415) 508-5326.

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Filipina Women’s Network’s 6th Filipina Leadership Summit, Oct. 30-Nov. 1, 2009

About Filipina Women’s Network (FWN)
FWN is the non-profit association for women of Philippine ancestry based in the United States. FWN’s mission is to advance Filipina women in the U.S. workplace through programs and activities that enhance public perceptions of Filipina women’s capacities to lead, change biases against Filipina women’s leadership abilities, and build the Filipina community’s pipeline of qualified leaders, to increase the odds that some will rise to the president position in all sectors. More info: Call 415.278.9410 or email filipina@ffwn.org. http://www.filipinawomensnetwork.org

About the 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the U.S. Awards™
The Filipina Women’s Network’s FWN 100 awards program is part of a larger game plan called “Pinay Power 2012″ – a dream with a meaningful purpose – to double the number of Filipina women leaders by 2012. The prestigious recognition is a working award – the winners are asked to womentor a protégée. Both leaders are invited to return to the Filipina Leadership Summit in 2012.

About the Filipina Leadership Summit
Filipina Women’s Network’s annual Filipina Leadership Summit is the leading national forum of its kind. Filipina professionals – decision makers in leading industries – gather to learn the latest developments for multicultural professionals in the U.S. workplace and make the connections that will advance their businesses and professional careers.

Now in its sixth year, FWN holds its annual Filipina Leadership Summit in October in observance of Filipino American History Month. The 2009 summit is held from October 30 to November 1, 2009 at the Claremont Hotel in Berkeley, California. More info: www.FilipinaWomensNetwork.org/summit09

The Filipina Summit is the definitive gathering of Filipina women to celebrate the advancement and contributions of Filipina Americans to U.S. society. It is a time of remembrance, reflection, and motivation to renew efforts towards research, examination, and promulgation of Filipina American history and culture. FWN provides the content, credibility and community to help women of Philippine ancestry succeed in their businesses and careers.