The Global Connections for Women Foundation – GC4W Atlanta Working Mom Business Expo receives a “Proclamation” and the “Key to the City of Atlanta” from Mayor Kasim Reed of Atlanta and the Atlanta City Council.
Ms. Candance Bryd, the Chief of Staff of the Honorable Mayor of Atlanta, Mayor Kasim Reed. She gave the opening remarks on behalf of Mayor Reed at the GC4W Atlanta Working Mom Business Expo;
“Good morning. It’s my tremendous pleasure to welcome you to the City of Atlanta on behalf of Mayor Kasim Reed. Mayor Reed couldn’t be here today because of a prior engagement, but he sends his regards and warm wishes for a great event.”
“I speak for Mayor Reed when I tell you that here in the City of Atlanta, we have created a culture of empowering women to be successful in their professional and their family lives.”
“I believe, as does Mayor Reed, that women should not need to choose between their careers and their families. We should not have to sacrifice leadership and achievement for our children, spouses or other family members.”
“In fact, those two things should never have to be in conflict, and that is why Mayor Reed has lead by example. This July, the City of Atlanta became the first municipal government in our region to offer paid family leave for city employees. Every City employees is now eligible to receive six weeks of paid time for primary caregivers, and two weeks of paid time for a non-caregivers.”
“Mayor Reed has also called on Congress to pass the Healthy Families Act, which would give every worker in America the ability to earn paid sick time. And he had made his administration a reflection of his belief that workspaces operate better when there are women in leadership roles.” This is why his cabinet is made up of smart, competent, effective women leaders.”
“Mayor Reed is a father, and I can tell you that one of the things that are important to him is making sure that when his young daughter grows up, she won’t have doors closed to her because of her Gender. So in the City of Atlanta a program to support women entrepreneurs.”
“The Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative provides an ecosystem of resources and support to nurture those entrepreneurs and help grow their businesses. We’ve partnered with Goldman Sachs through its 10,000 Small Business program, to provide loan capital to those companies because we know that access to capital is a major barrier to their success.”
” I am so proud to stand before this incredible group of strong, successful women toady. Knowing that you’re here, working, learning and exchanging contacts and resources that will ultimately help make you all more successful is a tremendous thing to be a part of”
“I hope you enjoy and make the most of your time in Atlanta, and that you come back again to do business here. We appreciate all that you’re doing. Thank you.”
We appreciate the support of the Honorary Mayor of the City of Atlanta and the Atlanta City Council.
With a room was filled with powerful voices and uniformity of intention, where the focus was uplifting working mothers and young entrepreneurs – a cornerstone to the next chapter of the world’s most powerful women in business.
