Women Trailblazers Panel March 6

Akron, Ohio, Feb. 6, 2008 — Reflecting upon the contributions of women trailblazers and discussing their visions for the future, a distinguished group of female leaders will participate in a "Women Trailblazers" panel discussion at The University of Akron on March 6 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Martin University Center.

The panel discussion will highlight the accomplishments of notable, diverse female leaders from around the country who have achieved remarkable success in their respective fields.

Panelists include:

Brigadier Gen. Dana H. Born is dean of the faculty for the U.S. Air Force Academy, where she commands a 700-member mission element and oversees the annual design and instruction of more than 500 undergraduate courses for 4,000 cadets in 32 academic disciplines. She also directs the operation of five support staff agencies and faculty resources involving more than $250 million.

Caprice Bragg is the vice president of gift planning and donor relations for the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. She leads a development team that helps donors realize their philanthropic dreams. Prior to joining the foundation, she practiced law at KeyCorp and Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP.

Betty Martinez Lowery serves as the senior manager of minority business development for the Walt Disney Co., where she provides leadership in establishing and developing key partnerships with minority organizations as well as the Hispanic/Latino, Native-American and Women markets. She has more than 20 years of experience in human and public relations, with an emphasis on cross-cultural communication.

Debra Adams Simmons is the Cleveland Plain Dealer's managing editor. Before joining the Plain Dealer, Simmons spent four years as vice president and editor of the Akron Beacon Journal. Prior to the Beacon Journal, she worked at the Detroit Free Press, the Virginian-Pilot, the Hartford Courant and Syracuse Herald-Journal.

Dr. Elizabeth Stroble was named The University of Akron's Senior Vice President and Provost and Chief Operating Officer in June 2003. Prior to that appointment, she served as dean and professor in UA's College of Education. Her higher education career has included faculty and administrative assignments at the University of Louisville and Northern Arizona University.

Bernett Williams serves as president and CEO of the Akron Urban League. She has spent most of her professional career in the non-profit sector, and began her career with the American Red Cross. She has received numerous awards for her community involvement, including the YWCA Women of Achievement Award and the Ohio Black Women's Leadership Caucus Incredible Women Making a Difference Award.

Candace Campbell Jackson, J.D., vice president and chief of staff at The University of Akron, will serve as moderator. Kaleidoscope magazine listed her in its "40-40 Club Class of 2006." Crain's Cleveland Business selected her for the magazine's Class of 2005 "Forty Under 40" that features "up-and-comers from Northeast Ohio."

The event is free and open to the public, but reservations are requested. To make reservations, or for more information, call 330-972-6446 or e-mail omd@uakron.edu.

The panel will be held in conjunction with Women's History Month activities, and will be hosted by the university's Office of Multicultural Development and co-sponsored by the Women's Studies Program, Archives of the History of American Psychology, College of Business Administration and College of Fine and Applied Arts.

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