TIPPER GORE TO SPEAK AT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE
WASHINGTON, June 19, 1998 -- Tipper Gore, wife of Vice President Al Gore, will deliver a keynote address at the second International Conference on Women in Agriculture June 29, at the Omni Shoreham in Washington, D.C. The conference, which runs from June 28-July 2, is expected to draw more than 1,000 women from 40 countries.
"I'm pleased to have the opportunity to speak to women who are so often the backbone of their communities," Mrs. Gore said. "Rural women play such an important role in not only making sure we all have a safe and secure food supply, but in all facets of rural life. We can return the favor by working to lower the barriers they face, and provide the support systems they need."
Other keynote speakers at the Conference, being sponsored by the President's Interagency Council on Women, include: Canada's Secretary of State for Agriculture Gilbert Normand; Spain's Director of the Women's Institute, Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, Concepcion Dancausa Trevino; Mexico's Senator Beatriz Paredes; Uganda's Princess Nylinga; Argentina's Under Secretary Women's Affairs Teresa Sola; Sissel Ikaas, Director of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization; The First Lady of El Salvador, Elizabeth Aguirre de Calderon; U.S. Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman; and U.S. Agriculture Under Secretary and Conference chair Jill Long Thompson.
The conference will focus on practical solutions and strategies that women can take back to their communities. Participants will share success stories, hear from experts, and develop networks that will help them tackle the challenges facing the agricultural community. Among the topics that will be addressed: Women Managing Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture, Insurance Purchasing Groups for Rural Women, Ethics of Modern Agriculture, Alternative Marketing Options, and Women Farmers and the Global Economy.
"We are honored that Mrs. Gore will be speaking to delegates," said Long Thompson, conference chair. "Her insights will certainly help make this an outstanding conference."
Additional information about the conference is available at: ICWA, or by calling (202) 720-4581.
Contact:
Jim Brownlee,
(202) 720-2091
Editors Note: The media credentials form is for you to return to Brian Engelhart: fax, (202) 544-1450; phone, (202) 544-1441.