Washington, D.C., February 20, 2003 - MANA de Hidalgo County, a chapter of MANA, A National Latina Organization (MANA) and U.S. Congressman Rubén Hinojosa are hosting an exciting women's conference on Saturday March 1, 2003 in McAllen, Texas.

Over 200 participants have registered to attend the one-day conference entitled "Empowering Today's Woman: A Day of Personal and Professional Development". The goal of the conference is to help empower women through participation in various workshops that will address issues pertaining to health and wellness, financial responsibility, civic leadership and community engagement, education, and career opportunities.

Keynote speakers will be the Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchison, U.S. Senator and 2001 HerMANA Award recipient, the Honorable Rubén Hinojosa, U.S. Representative, and Alma Morales Riojas, President and CEO of MANA, A National Latina Organization. Participants will include MANA Board Members, MANA de Hidalgo Members, and women leaders members of the surrounding communities.

In addition to the workshops, conference participants in small focus groups will have the opportunity to share their concerns, views, and expertise on critical issues facing women today. Focus group data will be collected from these groups and summarized in a report that will be presented to the Senator and the Congressman as they continue to advocate for women and more specifically for Latinas in the community.

Ms. Riojas, President and CEO of MANA, is pleased to have the opportunity to participate in this important conference in Hidalgo County. MANA de Hidalgo County was chartered in January of 2002 and has grown quickly to reflect the needs of the community.

"I would like to commend Dr. Glendelia M. Zavala, MANA de Hidalgo County's Board President, for her outstanding work in planning this conference and in initiating many other valuable programs for Latinas in the Rio Grande Valley. I also applaud both Senator Hutchison and Congressman Hinojosa for their support of MANA's community programs," stated Ms. Riojas.

Interested individuals may register for remaining conference slots by contacting Dr. Glendelia M. Zavala at (956) 463-1711 or by email at MANAdeHidalgo@aol.com.

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MANA, A National Latina Organization, is a nonprofit, advocacy organization headquartered in the nation's capital, Washington, D. C. With chapters across the country, it is the oldest National Latina membership organization in the United States. MANA, whose mission is to empower Latinas through leadership development, community service, and advocacy, envisions a national community of informed Latina activists working to improve the quality of life for all Hispanics. MANA also has the only national young Latina's mentoring program for girls 11 to 17, "HERMANITAS®" which brings over 100 girls to Washington DC to a summer institute that includes a briefing at the White House and a visit to the girls' Congressional representatives Information on MANA can be obtained at the web site: www.hermana.org or send an e-mail to hermana2@aol.com