Wal-Mart Named Among Companies for Executive Women
BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. has been named one of the "2007 Top 35 Companies for Executive Women" by the National Association for Female Executives (NAFE), a division of the Working Mother Media based in New York City.
NAFE said it selected Wal-Mart and other named firms based upon their innovative programs that foster women's advancement to influential positions. They also examined the number of women within each company overall, in senior management, and on the board of directors. Only those companies with two or more women serving on the board were considered; Wal-Mart currently has three females serving on its 14-member board of directors.
"At Wal-Mart, we invest in all of our associates," said Charlyn Jarrells Porter, the retailer's s.v.p. and chief diversity officer, in a statement. "We are dedicated to enabling women to succeed in and outside the workplace. Whether it's offering industry-leading career training programs and creating opportunities for advancement or providing a network of support, we are committed to the women within our company."
Wal-Mart said that 61 percent of its associates are women, and 40 percent of the company's management is female.
The retailer offers leadership seminars intended specifically for women, and has created an Executive Women Caucus. The Executive Women Caucus provides a network for Wal-Mart's female executives by offering mentoring and discussion of issues facing women today. There are various committees and leadership positions within the caucus that actively engage participation by Wal-Mart's executive women.
The company also partners with more than 1,400 women-owned business suppliers and supports various organizations dedicated to women, including the Hispanic Women's Corporation, Network of Executive Women and the League of Black Women, among others.
Wal-Mart has received other accolades for its support of women, including the National Association of Women Lawyers 2006 President's Award for Diversity Initiatives, and LATINA Style Magazine's 2006 "50 Best Companies for Latinas."
NAFE said it selected Wal-Mart and other named firms based upon their innovative programs that foster women's advancement to influential positions. They also examined the number of women within each company overall, in senior management, and on the board of directors. Only those companies with two or more women serving on the board were considered; Wal-Mart currently has three females serving on its 14-member board of directors.
"At Wal-Mart, we invest in all of our associates," said Charlyn Jarrells Porter, the retailer's s.v.p. and chief diversity officer, in a statement. "We are dedicated to enabling women to succeed in and outside the workplace. Whether it's offering industry-leading career training programs and creating opportunities for advancement or providing a network of support, we are committed to the women within our company."
Wal-Mart said that 61 percent of its associates are women, and 40 percent of the company's management is female.
The retailer offers leadership seminars intended specifically for women, and has created an Executive Women Caucus. The Executive Women Caucus provides a network for Wal-Mart's female executives by offering mentoring and discussion of issues facing women today. There are various committees and leadership positions within the caucus that actively engage participation by Wal-Mart's executive women.
The company also partners with more than 1,400 women-owned business suppliers and supports various organizations dedicated to women, including the Hispanic Women's Corporation, Network of Executive Women and the League of Black Women, among others.
Wal-Mart has received other accolades for its support of women, including the National Association of Women Lawyers 2006 President's Award for Diversity Initiatives, and LATINA Style Magazine's 2006 "50 Best Companies for Latinas."