BLACK ENTERPRISE Announces Women of Power Legacy Award Winners

BLACK ENTERPRISE Announces Women of Power Legacy Award Winners

Ruby Dee, Ann Fudge, Nikki Giovanni, and Dorothy Height Recognized as Career Trailblazers

PALM SPRINGS, Calif., Feb. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Four legendary African American women were honored by BLACK ENTERPRISE at the 2008 Women of Power Summit Legacy Awards Dinner held Wednesday, Feb. 13 presented by Pepsi. The gala kicked off the third annual Women of Power Summit hosted by State Farm(R), a four-day executive leadership conference attended by more than 700 professional women of color. This year's honorees were acclaimed actress and activist Ruby Dee, corporate trailblazer Ann Fudge, best-selling poet Nikki Giovanni, and Civil Rights legend Dorothy Height.

(Photo:

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080215/NYF023 )

"The Women of Power Legacy Award recognizes African American women trailblazers whose achievements, influence, and power have helped to open doors of opportunity and success for women of color," said Barbara Graves, BLACK ENTERPRISE Senior Vice President and Board Member. "We're honored to celebrate this year's award winners, and are confident their accomplishments will continue to set the standard of success for women leaders."

Ruby Dee, legendary actress, activist, poet, playwright, and screenwriter is currently nominated for an Oscar(R) for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Mama Lucas in American Gangster. Dee's career has been nothing short of phenomenal. Upon accepting her award, she said, "Making important films about black life has been my passion. It's truly an honor to be recognized by BLACK ENTERPRISE for making the arts responsible, because that's what is important. I want to thank BLACK ENTERPRISE for making business responsible. That is the spirit of this Summit. I hope it permeates every aspect of our lives."

Ann Fudge, former Chair & CEO of Young & Rubicam Brands, became the first black woman to lead a multimillion-dollar advertising agency. Her rise through the ranks of corporate America established her as one of the most influential decision-making women in American business. Addressing the crowd of female professionals, Fudge remarked, "I look at all of you beautiful women and I think five, ten years ago, we wouldn't have assembled a group like you in corporate America. I'm so proud of your progress because you're why I stayed. You're why I stuck it out. I want to thank you for just being here and doing what you're doing."

Nikki Giovanni is a world-renowned poet, activist, author, distinguished professor, and writer. As one of the most widely read American poets, she prides herself on being "a black American, a daughter, a mother, and a professor of English" at Virginia Tech.

Dorothy Height, Chair and President Emerita of the National Council of Negro Women, received the final award of the evening, bringing the crowd to its feet with thunderous applause. For nearly half a century, she has given leadership to the struggle for equality. Upon accepting her award, Height, 96, struck a chord with the audience-many of whom she has inspired by personal example-by telling them to accept no limitations on their achievements.

Visit www.blackenterprise.com for exclusive news, video, and updates from the event.

The 2008 Women of Power Summit hosted by State Farm(R) is presented by OPEN from American Express, ExxonMobil, Frito-Lay, Mercedes-Benz, QTG, Pepsi, SONY, and Verizon. Platinum sponsors include Continental Airlines, EMC2, Fannie Mae, IBM, Intel, Macy's, and McDonald's. Corporate partners include Kodak, Monster.com, and Microsoft.

BLACK ENTERPRISE, your ultimate source for wealth creation, is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. Since 1970, be has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. Every month, BLACK ENTERPRISE magazine provides 3.9 million readers with information on entrepreneurship, careers, and financial management. A multimedia company, be also produces radio and television programming, business and lifestyle events, Web content, and digital media. BLACK ENTERPRISE is the definitive source of information for and about African American business markets and leaders, and the authority on black business news and trends.

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Photo: NewsCom:

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Source: BLACK ENTERPRISE

CONTACT: Andrew Wadium of Earl G. Graves Ltd., +1-212-886-9598,
wadiuma@blackenterprise.com, for BLACK ENTERPRISE

Web site:

http://www.blackenterprise.com/

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