HOUSTON, May 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Governor Rick Perry and First Lady Anita
Perry announced today that Cherie Blair, a leading human rights attorney and
wife of former British Prime Minister
Tony Blair; Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell,
author of New York Times bestseller, "Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of
Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10"; and Meg Whitman,
former president and chief executive officer of eBay, will be part of the
keynote lineup for the ninth annual Texas Conference for Women. The
non-partisan Conference is slated for October 16, 2008 at the George R. Brown
Convention Center in Houston, and is expected to attract thousands of women
for a day of education, networking and fellowship.
"The Texas Conference for Women continues to attract top international
figures and leading experts who empower the women of Texas with inspiring
stories and practical tools to take on new challenges," said Texas First Lady
Anita Perry. "Cherie Blair, Marcus Luttrell and Meg Whitman are phenomenal
individuals with personal and professional insights that will enhance the
lives of women across the state."
Cherie Blair, a leading human rights attorney and a passionate advocate
for women's equality, balances her legal career with raising four children and
being the wife of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. In 1995, Blair was
appointed Queen's Counsel, a title reserved for the most senior attorneys in
England. Blair is active in numerous charitable organizations, including
Barnardo's, SCOPE, Breast Cancer Care and the Loomba Trust. Blair is an
ambassador for London 2012 and a member of UNICEF's Global Task Force on
Water.
Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell is the author of New York Times bestseller,
"Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost
Heroes of SEAL Team 10." Luttrell joined the U.S. Navy in March 1999 and
became a combat-trained SEAL in January 2002. After serving in Iraq for two
years, he was deployed to Afghanistan in the spring of 2005. In an
unparalleled motivational story of survival, Luttrell recounts the harrowing
journey of four Navy SEALs into the mountainous border of Afghanistan and
Pakistan on Operation Redwing. His book is also a moving tribute to his
friends and teammates who did not make it off the mountain. Luttrell went on
to complete a second tour of Iraq before retiring in the spring of 2007. He
was awarded the Navy Cross for combat heroism in 2006 by President George W.
Bush.
Meg Whitman stepped down as president and chief executive officer of eBay
in March 2008. For ten years, Whitman led the company to become an
unparalleled global ecommerce engine. Her expertise in brand building combined
with her consumer technology experience helped eBay evolve into a company that
continues to reshape online commerce, payments and communications around the
world. Time named Whitman one of the world's 100 most influential people in
2004 and 2005 and BusinessWeek has included her on its list of the 25 most
powerful business managers annually since 2000. Whitman also serves on the
Board of Directors of the eBay Foundation, Procter & Gamble and DreamWorks
Animation.
In addition to the keynote lineup, more than 75 internationally recognized
experts in business, health, personal development, media, the environment and
finance will lead seminars and workshops on the issues that affect women
today. Attendees will discover new communication skills, leadership strategies
and work/life balance tools that will enhance their professional and personal
growth as they begin the next chapter of their lives.
BP will serve as the Presenting Sponsor and Wachovia and HP are the
Co-Chair Sponsors of the Texas Conference for Women. Many other corporations
generously support the day-long event that enhances the lives of Texas women
through connection, education and inspiration. Registration is currently
available via the Conference Web site, http://www.txconferenceforwomen.org.
For more information on the ninth annual Texas Conference for Women visit
http://www.txconferenceforwomen.org or call (866) 375-1785.
Contacts: Shannon Gravitte, 407-443-4441 or sgravitte@pstrategies.com
Arden Anlian, 202-354-8282 or aanlian@pstrategies.com