Rapper/actress
Queen Latifah was on hand yesterday (June 7) to welcome the arrival of the first
annual National Women’s Day on Capital Hill in Washington, D.C.
Latifah, along
with the YWCA USA, Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) and VF Intimates’
Curvation(R) brand, acknowledged the day, which helps raise awareness for, and
celebrate the positive impact of confidence in women’s personal and professional
lives.
In addition to
the Day, Latifah, Maloney and YWCA USA CEO Peggy Sanchez Mills held a press
conference to launch the Curvation Project Confidence YWCA Educational Outreach
Program, a multi-faceted program designed to give women the tools and information
needed to build their personal confidence and self-esteem.
The national program,
which targets women over age 18, will be held at YWCA’s across the country.
"I’m so proud
to be here today to celebrate National Women’s Confidence Day and the launch
of the Curvation Project Confidence YWCA Educational Outreach Program because
I have always felt strongly about empowering women," said Latifah, the
spokesperson, inspiration and creative advisor to the Curvation brand. "I’m
living proof that with confidence and by believing in yourself, you can accomplish
any goal. So, in honor of National Women’s Confidence Day, I’m encouraging all
women to take the first step — no matter how big or small — to making their
dreams a reality."
The Curvation program
will be made up of several components, including focus groups in five major
U.S. markets; an online survey of women’s beliefs, attitudes and practices pertaining
to confidence and self-esteem and the development of a 9-month curriculum and
"How-To" Kit based on findings from the research and focus groups.
The information
will be made available to 16,000 employees and volunteers in nearly 300 local
YWCA’s via intranet.
