WASHINGTON (March 19, 2007) -- Corporate Voices for Working Families and Working Mother Media today announced they will join forces to award U.S. Senators and members of the U.S. House of Representatives with the “Best of Congress” in recognition of their leadership in improving the quality of life for working families. The award will be given every two years beginning in September 2008 and the winning Members of Congress will be profiled in that month’s issue of Working Mother magazine.
Reviewed each federal election cycle, the award criteria will be developed by a bi-partisan steering committed co-chaired by former IBM Vice President of Global Diversity, Ted Childs and former Massachusetts Governor Jane Swift. The “best of Congress” will be based on member voting record during the current session of Congress in addition to an assessment of individual efforts to advance policies that support working families during the past two years.
“80% of America’s families have both parents working and for the last two decades, American corporations have made significant investments in supporting the challenges of working families. But businesses know that to have a sustained impact, public policy in support of working families is equally important to ensure a level playing field for all of America’s workers. America needs policymakers to partner with business to implement long-term solutions,” said Donna Klein, President and CEO of Corporate Voices for Working Families. “The Best of Congress will recognize members of Congress who have made a concerted effort to enact or support policies that provide solutions to the dual challenges that America’s working families face.”
“Working Mother has always advocated family-friendly workplaces: for more than 20 years, we have been honoring those employers whose policies allow working parents to find work-life balance,” said Carol Evans, CEO, Working Mother Media. “But as proud as we are of these companies, we also realize there is only so much they can do in leading by example. For change to be immediate and significant, we need our elected officials to fight for family-friendly legislation on the federal level. The ‘Best of Congress’ initiative is an outstanding way to celebrate those who are fighting for working parents.”
The “Best of Congress” will officially be presented to winning Members of Congress at an award dinner in September 2008.
About Corporate Voices for Working Families
Corporate Voices for Working Families is the leading national business membership organization representing the private sector voice in the dialogue on public policy issues related to working families. As an independent 501(c) 3, Corporate Voices facilitates research and provides solutions to legislators and business on Early Childhood Education and After School Care, Family Economic Stability, Worker Flexibility, the future of the Mature Workforce, and Youth Transitions. Collectively our 53 partner companies employ more than 4 million individuals throughout all fifty states, with annual net revenues of $1 trillion.
About Working Mother
Founded in 1979, Working Mother magazine reaches 3 million readers and is the only national magazine for career-committed mothers. Its 21-year signature initiative, Working Mother 100 Best Companies, is the most important benchmark for work/life practices in corporate America. Working Mother is published by Working Mother Media, which was founded by Evans in 2001. WMM includes the National Association for Female Executives (NAFE), NAFE Magazine, the annual WorkLife Congress, as well as, the Multicultural Women’s Conference and Town Halls in the U.S., Canada and Brazil. Working Mother Media’s mission is: To Serve Women Boldly.
