Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER) to Honor Six American Heroes For Their Leadership in Helping to Secure the Economic Future of Women, Including Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI)

The following is the list of recipients: Senator Susan Collins (R-ME); Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI); Representative Earl Pomeroy (D-ND); The PNC Financial Services Group CEO James Rohr; El Hispanic News Owner Clara Padilla Andrew; Chris Hart-Wright, Executive Director of STRIVE DC.

"In tough economic times like these, older women in this country need heroes like the men and women we are honoring tonight more than ever", said WISER Chairman Jeffrey Lewis, President of the Heinz Family Philanthropies. "From Social Security to saving for retirement, women unfortunately still face tremendous stresses and barriers. We must do everything in our power to get their stories told and to change laws which hold them back. The leaders that WISER is honoring this year with our HERO Awards have given voice to those who are often forgotten by society."

The 2008 WISER HEROES include twoUnited States Senators, one Congressman, one Corporate CEO, the owner of one of the most important Hispanic Newspapers in the country and a community activist working to bring financial independence to older women and men inWashington, D.C.

United States Senator Susan Collins (R-ME),United States Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI), U.S. Representative Earl Pomeroy (D-ND), Chairman and CEO of The PNC Financial Services Group James Rohr, Owner and Publisher of El Hispanic News inOregon, Clare Padilla Andrews, and Chris Hart-Wright, Executive Director of STRIVE DC, will all be given awards tonight.

"Senator Herb Kohl has been one of the most effective and compassionate chairman of the Senate Aging Committee since the late Senator John Heinz," said WISER Chairman Jeffrey Lewis. "He has brought abusive and fraudulent practices to light when it comes to the economic security of older Americans and has been a leader in cracking down on those who prey on seniors. Senator Kohl also has been one of the most vocal advocates for reforming the Medicare Prescription Drug benefit, calling on the Administration to negotiate for lower drug costs and to close the 'donut hole' in coverage that is leaving many older Americans with unexpectedly high drug costs."

In addition to their yearly Hero Awards, WISER joined with the Heinz Family Philanthropies in 2007 to publish a free E-Book called "What Women Need to Know About Retirement", which the Wall Street Journal recently called "a valuable resource about retirement living and a solid overview of finances and health care in later life." You can download the 78-page book for free at www.womensretirement.org and the hearing can also be seen live on the Senate Aging Committee's web site.

WISER was founded in 1996 with a direct grant from Teresa Heinz and the Heinz Family Philanthropies. WISER is the nation's only non-profit organization wholly devoted to providing women with the crucial skills and information they need to improve their economic circumstances and plan for a financially sound retirement. WISER reaches tens of thousands of women through its workshops, seminars, newsletters, reports, fact sheets, consumer guides and website giving them the skills and confidence they need to start early and plan smart for their future.

www.wiserwomen.org

SOURCE Women?s Institute for a Secure Retirement

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