Legal Momentum Celebrates 40th Anniversary, Honors Groundbreaking Women Executives at Aiming High Awards Luncheon

New York (May 4, 2010) -

Legal Momentum, the women's legal defense fund, announces the recipients of its 2010 Aiming High Awards recognizing remarkable women whose personal leadership has broken new ground for women in business. Now in its 40th year of advancing the rights of women and girls, Legal Momentum has hosted the Aiming High Awards for 10 years to highlight the accomplishments of women and the benefits of pro-diversity policies in the nation's most successful companies.

Irasema Garza, president of Legal Momentum, says, "Women now comprise half of the nation's workforce, which represents a seismic shift in our society.  The 2010 Aiming High Award recipients are pioneers and powerhouses, demonstrating the positive impact of women's leadership in the workplace. Each one has been an engine for the success of multiple companies over their careers, driving home the critical point that working women are a fundamental asset to American businesses, communities, and the overall economic health of the nation."

The recipients will be honored at the Aiming High, A Celebration of the Power of Women, a luncheon on May 5th at the Grand Hilton in New York. The fundraiser, which brings together more than 700 advocates, professionals and supporters of women's rights, garners over $1 million dollars in unrestricted funding for Legal Momentum's work to promote women's economic and personal security. 

The 2010 recipients include:

  • Bridget M. Healy, executive vice president and chief legal officer, ING Insurance Americas, has critical international perspective and a resume that spans three continents.  She oversees the legal and compliance functions for ING Insurance Americas in the United States, Mexico and Latin America, in addition to the external affairs function for ING Insurance Americas in the United States. Previously, Bridget was senior vice president and group general counsel at The Travelers Companies, Inc. and vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary for Becton Dickinson and Company.  Prior to that post, she practiced law in the United States and Europe for nine years.
  • Ellen Oran Kaden,  Senior Vice President–Law and Government Affairs for Campbell Soup Company,  has been a leader within the company since 1998. Prior to joining Campbell, Ms. Kaden's career encompassed academia as well as private practice.  After serving on the faculty of Columbia University School of Law, Ms. Kaden joined Cravath, Swaine & Moore, before becoming the Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of CBS Inc.  
  • Deborah McWhinney, CEO of the newly created Citi Personal Wealth Management (CPWM) organization, has long been one of the most respected women in the field of private investment. From 2001 to 2007, Ms. McWhinney was president of Schwab Institutional, a division of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., where she helped independent investment advisors grow their businesses.  In between Schwab and Citi, Ms. McWhinney returned to her native home, Missoula, Montana and led the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation.
  • Vicki O'Meara, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal and Compliance Officer of Pitney Bowes Inc., is an accomplished veteran of both the private and public sector. Ms O'Meara is responsible for the legal affairs and also leads the Government and Postal Affairs group, Intellectual Property, Environmental Health and Safety, Corporate Governance, Global Ethics, and the Office of the Corporate Secretary.  Prior to joining Pitney Bowes, Ms. O'Meara served in several federal government positions including Assistant Attorney General, Environment and Natural Resources Division for the U. S. Department of Justice.

Legal Momentum, formerly NOW Legal Defense Fund, debuted the Aiming High Awards in 2001 to recognize pioneering women, with the understanding that the success of the honorees – women who have made a significant impact in a wide array of industries-- brings the promise that women's voices, views, and talents are becoming a permanent part of our nation's corporate culture.

Aiming High, A Celebration of the Power of Women will begin at 11:30 on May 5th in the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton New York. Sponsorship and ticket information is available at www.legalmomentum.org/aiminghigh.      

About Legal Momentum: About Legal Momentum: Founded in 1970, Legal Momentum, the women's legal defense and education fund, is dedicated to advancing the rights and personal and economic security of all women and girls. www.legalmomentum.org

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