A Challenging Year and on to the Next One! President – Diane Morris
It was a great finale to an economically challenging year. The TIAW Global Cities events in Toronto and Washington DC were first class, well organized and topical in their themes. Responsibilities were shouldered by a few to give pleasure to so many. Sincere thanks to Immediate Past President Stephanie MacKendrick and the team at Canadian Women in Communications, Regional Director Maura Griffin and former Board member, Margie Armen with Executive Director Maxine Westaway giving unfailing support.
Barbara Annis, the TIAW Lifetime Achievement Award winner, left the biggest impression on me. She is such a passionate advocate of the idea that women do think and behave differently from men and that these differences should be leveraged to improve productivity and accelerate women’s career advancement. TIAW exists to support the economic empowerment of women all over the world. Barbara Annis’s intellect, imagination and inspiring efforts have done so much to change perceptions and interpretations of women’s contributions to the workplace. She is a worthy successor to Haifa Al Kaylani, last year’s winner.
In its second year, the TIAW World of Difference 100 Awards was another resounding success. It is again with pride that we list the winners on our website ( weblink). Do please look for winners in your area and send them a note of congratulations. The caliber of nominations was excellent, expanding the number of countries from 15 to 23. Award winners have proudly displayed their certificates on their websites and in their Association newsletters.
Following our recent Annual General Meeting, there have been some changes to the TIAW Board with some retiring: Kathy Conway, Kate Laneve, Kim Knapp, Mary Louise Uhlig and Juanita Woodward. I would like to thank them for their contribution and dedication to the association. Taking their place are former Board members Erlina Edwards and Terri Gelberg whom we give a big welcome return, and Josephine Chong, Sherry Fotheringham, and Cristina Vicini who will bring new talent and experience.
It has been a pleasure working with all of you, and I look forward to my second year as President and leading the organization in 2010, TIAW’s 30th Anniversary.
