U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce Announces Southern Illinois Women's Economic Summit on September 30, 2015

Effingham, IL, August 25, 2015 (Newswire.com) - ​​​Sally Rutledge-Ott, regional director for the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce | Illinois, including the Chicago Suburbs, and Eastern Iowa, is proud to announce the upcoming Southern Illinois Women's Economic Summit. This event, co-hosted by the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce and the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce, will take place at the Thelma Keller Convention Center in Effingham, Illinois on September 30, 2015 ( http://www.uswcc.org/ilsummit ). At the Women's Economic Summit attendees will hear from keynote speakers about the economic impact of women in business in Illinois, learn about new initiatives to assist the continued development of diversity in purchasing, and take part in a discussion about the priorities that women need to advance economic growth.

“Women are an important economic force in America,” says regional director Sally Rutledge-Ott. “For more than two decades, women have lead the growth in America's Gross Domestic Product, driven the creation of new businesses and jobs and moved into leadership roles, providing financially for our children and families. But, even with our sizable contributions to the American economy, there is much left to do to support our economic opportunities, independence, security, values and family well-being.”

"In Illinois, women make up 61% of the labor force, with 39% in professional or managerial fields and 30.5% of all Illinois businesses are owned by a woman. However, 14% of women in the state live below the poverty line. Illinois can do better. Illinois must do better for the women business owners and voters."

Sally Rutledge-Ott, Regional Director - U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce | Illinois & Eastern Iowa

“In Illinois, women make up 61% of the labor force, with 39% in professional or managerial fields and 30.5% of all Illinois businesses are owned by a woman. However, 14% of women in the state live below the poverty line. I believe that is completely unacceptable,” Rutledge-Ott states. “Illinois can do better. Illinois must do better for the women business owners and voters. This economic summit brings everyone to our table to learn the many resources available to our women-led economy.”

Norma Lansing, President & CEO, IOM, ACE, of the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce also expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming summit. “The Effingham County Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to be co-hosting the Southern Illinois Women’s Economic Summit in September,” says Lansing. “Southern Illinois has a strong women-led workforce and this opportunity brings them further assistance and resources to continue their development.”

Speakers will include: Margot Dorfman, CEO of the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce; Sally Rutledge-Ott, Regional Director of the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce for Central Illinois, the Chicago Suburbs, and Eastern Iowa, and the President of Ottsie; Valerie Ross, the manager of the Small Business Administration in Springfield, Il.; Jim Schultz, the Director of the Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity; Mike Sullivan, Director of Outreach at the Small Business Development Center.

The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce (USWCC) is the leading advocate for women on economic and leadership issues. As the economic leader for women, the USWCC creates opportunities, drives progress, advocates, and provides tools and solutions to support the economic growth of women across America. The USWCC ( http://www.uswcc.org/ ) is a not-for-profit 501(c)6 organization founded in 2001 with over 500,000 members; its headquarters offices are located in Washington, D.C. Contact the USWCC at 888-418-7922.