Washington, D.C., March 21, 2003 - In 2003, the International ATHENA Conference marks its 10th anniversary by returning to the site of the Foundation's first conference, Washington, D.C. This year's event will be held May 8-10 at the historic Omni Shoreham Hotel.

The ATHENA Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating leadership opportunities for women. MANA, A National Latina Organization has partnered with the ATHENA Foundation for this conference and encourages members to register to attend this important three-day series.

The theme of the conference is Paths of Leadership. It will highlight and embrace the diversity of thought and action in the leadership arena. Speakers include: Sarah Weddington, winning attorney in Roe v. Wade and a nationally known expert on the topic of leadership; Marshall Goldsmith, a major developer of the Leader of the Future Process; Angeles Arrien, anthropologist, educator and author; and Dee Dee Myers, former White House Press Secretary. This year's ATHENA Conference will also include a variety of plenary sessions to move attendees along their respective paths of leadership.

A highlight of the conference will be the presentation of the International ATHENA Award to this year's recipient, Charlotte Beers, Under Secretary of State for Public Affairs and Public Diplomacy with the U.S. Department of State. Ms. Beers was the first person to serve as Chair of two top agencies - J. Walter Thompson Worldwide and Ogilvy & Mather. She is being recognized for her outstanding leadership in the public and private sectors.

The ATHENA Conference, an event that honors the increasing presence and power of women in professional and leadership positions, is an excellent opportunity to network and develop personally and professionally.

For more information about the 2003 International ATHENA Conference, to register or to purchase tickets for special events, please visit the ATHENA Foundation web site at www.athenafoundation.org. You may also contact Diane Dick, Special Events Coordinator, at ddick@athenafoundation.org or call (800) 548-8247.

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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