Washington, D.C., June 30, 2003 - MANA, A National Latina Organization (MANA) will participate for the first time this year in the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's Combined Federal Campaign. MANA applied this year to be a designated recipient for the Combined Federal Campaign and will participate as a national organization in the 2003 campaign.

The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) is the annual fund-raising drive conducted by the Federal government for federal employees each fall. Federal employees and military personnel raise millions of dollars through the CFC that benefits thousands of non-profit charities. Federal Employees designate their charitable donations to a list of participating organizations.

"This campaign is an excellent opportunity for Federal employees to support MANA in its mission to empower Latinas through community service, leadership development, and advocacy. The funds that are raised will go towards supporting our grassroots programs for Hispanic communities. MANA is very excited to be part of this excellent program of the Federal government," stated Alma Morales Riojas, President and CEO of MANA.

"Through our close relationships with organizations such as the National Association of Hispanic Federal Employees (NAHFE), Federally Employed Women (FEW), and National Image we expect this to be a successful campaign," Ms. Riojas said.

For more information on how to support MANA through the CFC, contact the National Office at (202) 833-0060 or by email at hermana2@aol.com. For more information on the Combined Federal Campaign, visit www.opm.gov/cfc.

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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 200 girls to Washington DC to a summer institute that includes a briefing at the White House and a visit to the girls' Congressional representatives.