Legal Momentum Hosts Equal Opportunity Awards Dinner

Honors Nordstrom Inc. and the Nordstrom Family and Ellen Dwyer of Crowell and Morning, LLP for Commitment to Diversity

New York (November 18, 2009) -

Legal Momentum, the nation's oldest legal advocacy organization dedicated to advancing the rights of women and girls, is proud to announce Nordstrom Inc., the Nordstrom Family and Ellen M. Dwyer as recipients of the 31st Annual Equal Opportunity Awards for enlightened corporate leadership on behalf of women and girls.

Legal Momentum's Equal Opportunity Awards celebrate enlightened corporate leadership on behalf of women and girls by paying tribute to corporations and individuals who are clearly setting the pace in the promotion of women, families and diversity.  The gala dinner is a tribute to the extraordinary men and women whose personal leadership in their respective fields has broken new ground for women in corporate America. This year's dinner will be held on November 18th, at the New York Sheraton Hotel and Towers.

Legal Momentum has named Nordstrom Inc. and the Nordstrom Family as the recipients of the Etta Froio Equal Opportunity Award, which celebrates individuals and the corporations they lead in the fashion and retailing community that have demonstrated a steadfast commitment to diversity and equal opportunity.

Since founding the business in 1901, the Nordstrom family has remained committed to diversity in its workforce, believing that it makes the company better and the communities they serve stronger. Women have been a key part of Nordstrom's workforce for many years. Today, 73% of their managers are women, and of the company's total employment, 72.1% are women.

Ellen M. Dwyer, Managing Partner of Crowell & Moring LLP is the 2009 recipient of the Champion of Diversity in Law Award, which recognizes individuals that have played a role in advancing diversity at their firms and throughout the legal profession. As a member of the Labor and Employment Group, Ms. Dwyer has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to diversity in law through her work representing employers in the full array of labor and employment matters. She has extensive experience in the employment class action litigation arena teaming effectively with public relations, diversity and statistical experts.  Ms. Dwyer has served as co-chair of the Private Sector Labor Law Committee of the DC Bar's Labor and Employment Law Section.

The 2009 Equal Opportunity Awards Dinner will begin with a 6:00 p.m. reception followed by a 7:00 p.m. dinner on November 18th at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers. Proceeds from the dinner will benefit Legal Momentum's public policy and legal work on behalf of victims of violence against women; women who face gender discrimination in employment, housing, and the courts; and the organization's nationwide efforts to promote the personal and economic security of all women and girls.

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. ###