PBWC Youth Leadership Program Conference 2000
As in past years, PBWC hosted over 500 young women at the 2000 conference. We
thank all of our sponsors for their support and everyone who participated in this
extremely successful event. It just keeps getting better!
Letters of Appreciation
Dear PBWC,
On May 4, 2000, 17 Latina, 1 African-American, 2 Asian students, 6 teachers, and 1 school
principal attended the Professional BusinessWomen of California Conference at the San Jose
Convention Center. The students, teachers and principal were from Andrew Hill High School,
Overfelt High School and Mathson Middle School, respectively. To highlight the event, 8 of
the Andrew Hill High School students were offered summer jobs. Apparently, the workshop
presenters and exhibitors were so impressed with them that they interviewed them, right on
the spot! One student will work at Genentech, as a summer intern; another will use her
bilingual skills at State Farm Insurance Company. Two of the eight students won Palm
Pilots which they used (showed-off) at school everyday.
On behalf of Adelante Mujer Hispana of Silicon Valley, please accept our heartfelt thanks.
Without the PBWC’s generosity, our students would not have had this opportunity.
Important experiences such as this are simply out of their reach.
In deepest appreciation,
Betty Martinez
Adelante Mujer Hispana of Silicon Valley
Workforce Silicon Valley
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Dear PBWC,
Thank you so much for providing me the opportunity to participate in the Professional
BusinessWomen of California Conference for the second year in a row. I appreciate the fact
that you are contributing to helping young women get ahead in life. My mentor Mrs. Maureen
Kelly Zuk and I enjoyed the opportunity to share the inspirational day together. In the
words of Ms. Pat Mitchell you are “dropping down the ladder for the women behind you.”
As I sat listening to the keynote speakers, I was supplied with mind-boggling statistics.
I could hardly believe that women were so behind in technology. I knew that we were not as
much into technology as men were, but I was shocked to know that so many young girls
suffered from self-doubt and low-self esteem. As the speakers described some of these
girls with self-doubt and low-self esteem, the characteristics fitted some of my friends.
I made an agreement with myself that I would tell my friends about all the stuff that I
learned at this conference.
The exhibit halls are a wonderful experience and a great opportunity to try to network to
get internships and scholarships. Once I stepped into the exhibit hall, I had an
exhilarating feeling go right through me. I looked around and I saw so many career
options, some I had never even heard of before, but they sounded so exciting. I thought
the only million dollar making careers were becoming a doctor or an engineer. But after
this conference my mind discovered dynamic possibilities of careers.
The seminar sessions were truly awesome. I was able to get a more detailed structure of
the career I was interested in. It was amazing to be around so many successful women that
were helping other women “up the ladder” of success. All of a sudden I didn’t
feel so alone anymore. From the conference I learned that I have a right to get up and
chase my dream and become something that I’ve always wanted to be. I can pursue
technology and perhaps become a president of a company. I will be successful because I am
a determined and focused woman. I want to thank the women who made this conference
possible and who gave me the scholarship to attend. This wonderful day gave me another
opportunity to continue to design my future and sharpen my tools for a changing world.
Sincerely,
Roop Kalkat – Piedmont Hills High School
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Dear PBWC,
Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to attend the PBWC conference. I had
such an invaluable experience! I look forward to attending the 2001 conference. Your
organization did such a great job.
Every good wish,
Lavinia
Foothill College