New York Women's Forum Bestows Ten Over-35-Year-Old Women With Vital Education Grants to New York Colleges

September 11th Ceremony Caps Colloquium of Visionary Women on 'What Will it Mean to be Human?'

NEW YORK, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Ten, extraordinary over-35-year-old women will receive education grants to sixNew York City colleges and a boost to better lives for themselves and their families at the New York Women's Forum Second Colloquium on September 11, 2008.

The New York Women's Forum Education Fund provides financial lifelines to women who in the face of abuse, poverty or disability, are advancing their education careers, caring for their families and advocating for veterans, abuse victims, disabled children, and the environment.

"Our courageous Women's Forum Fellows demonstrate the transformative power of education on a woman's life and its profound benefits to her family and community," said Rita B. Crotty, Executive Director of the New York Women's Forum.

The awards ceremony will follow the Women's Forum Second Colloquium of senior women from science, medicine, business, law and the media on "Visions for the Future: What Will it Mean to Be Human?"

The Colloquium will address how Artificial Intelligence, robotics, and genealogy are converging to redefine our society and the ethics that bind it. Moderated by Carol Hymowitz, it will feature:

    --  Dr. Cynthia Breazeal, Founder and Director, Personal Robotics Group, MIT
    --  Judith E. Glaser, CEO, Benchmark Communications
    --  Amy Harmon, Correspondent, New York Times, Pulitzer Prize, "The DNA
        Age"
    --  Margo L. Jefferson, Professor, Columbia University, Pulitzer Prize
    --  Marney Morris, CEO,  Animatrix
    --  Dara Richardson-Heron, M.D., CEO, Komen Greater NYC
    --  Ann Sarnoff, President, Dow Jones Ventures
    --  Ellen Schall, Dean, NYU Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public
        Service
    --  Edie Weiner, Futurist, President, Weiner, Edrich, Brown, Inc.
    --  Alice Young, Partner & Chair of Asia Pacific Practice, Kaye Scholer
        LLP

The panels will take place 3:30 - 5:30 pm, followed by The Education Fund Awards at 5:30 and Reception, 6:30 - 7:30 pm, at The Graduate Center / CUNY, 365 Fifth Avenue at 34th Street, Proshansky Auditorium, Concourse Level. To attend or gain information, contact Lynthia Romney, (914) 238-2145; romneycom@aol.com

The Women's Forum Fellows are sponsored by Circle Financial Group, Denihan Hospitality Group, Lulu C. Wang, MetLife and Wal-Mart and the members of the Forum. They are:

Casandra Kelting, College Of Staten Island, is pursuing a career as an advocate for victims of abuse. With plans to study for a Masters in Public Administration, she volunteers at the New York Foundling Hospital and works for a State Senator in theBronx, helping to rewrite an Assembly Bill extending legal protection for all victims of domestic violence.

Judy Canestrelli, Lehman College, was a child of circus performers, moving frequently and missing out on a formal education. But volunteering as an art teacher at a camp for high-risk inspired her to return to school and pursue a career as a teacher. An anthropology, biology, and chemistry major, Canestrelli's goal is to someday teach science in theNew York City public school system.

Denihan Hospitality Group Fellow Melinda Cornwell, Hunter College, changed the direction of her life after being diagnosed with a benign but chronic eye condition. She pursued a degree in Early Childhood Special Education with an emphasis on autism spectrum disorders, was recently accepted as a scholar in the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Program and is a member of the prestigious Thomas Hunter Honors Program. She plans to pursue a PhD to further research, develop interventions for, and advocate in support of families affected by autism.

Wanda Vargas, Lehman College, was fascinated with earthquakes, volcanoes, glaciers, and oceans as a child, but family difficulties forced her to care for herself at an early age precluding college. Today she is pursuing a degree in marine geophysics and recently completed an expedition toAntarctica.

Circle Financial Group Fellow Andrea Balbas, Queens College, grew up in a trailer straddling the San Andreas Fault inCalifornia. Eleven years old before she had a bed to sleep in, Andrea often went days without eating but found sanctuary in the natural geologic beauty surrounding her. Today she has a 3.98 GPA, interned at the NASA Academy Goddard Program, and has been accepted to the MSPhd initiative.

Lulu C. Wang Fellow Rebecca Backman, Brooklyn College/Touro College, the firstborn of an underprivileged family of seven, moved frequently as a child to avoid eviction notices. With a commitment of stability to her own children, today she is earning a degree in accounting, and intends to volunteer financial guidance and tax services to poor families.

Susan Holmes, College Of Staten Island, has built a career for the past 20 years working at the VA Medical Center. Her childhood dream of becoming a registered nurse has been repeatedly interrupted due to several tragic events including domestic abuse and widowhood. Remarried, she is enrolled in college at night and works in the job she loves, helping our nation's veterans. Susan has recently been accepted in the St. Vincent's Hospital's Nursing Program inStaten Island.

Alisa Berger, LaGuardia Community College/Queens College, is passionate about the importance of a good primary school foundation for children with differences. Alicia's journey toward her dream of becoming a first grade teacher has been long and difficult, but her devotion to children has kept her focused.

MetLife Fellow Mindy Burton, Queens College, was told in high school that she was not "college material." Today as sole full time provider for her family, she has returned to college with a passion for English literature and a goal to teach children with learning disabilities.

The Colloquium is produced by Amy Dorn Kopelan, President, Bedlam Entertainment Inc. and Co-Creator, The Guru Nation.

The Women's Forum is a community where preeminentNew York women leaders of diverse achievement come together to make a difference for each other and to take an active, leadership role in matters of importance to them. http://www.wfnewyork.org

SOURCE New York Women?s Forum

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