Partnering with the Center for Women and Work, Rutgers University, the Newark WIB sponsored a forum on Economic Recovery: What Women Need to Know to Compete in the Emerging Economy on May 25, 2010.   Essex County College graciously provided the venue, Siegler Hall.

More than 200 women that are unemployed and/or wondering how to navigate their way through these very harsh economic times attended the seminar to gain greater knowledge about how to re-enter the labor market. 
  
The forum was hosted by Mary Puryear, The Newark WIB Chair (Prudential Foundation).  Opening the program were personal greetings from Mildred Crump, Newark City Council President; Dr. Edythe Abdullah, President, Essex County College; and Grace Protos, Regional Director, U. S. Women’s Bureau, DOL – which participants found to be “motivational.”

Keynote Speaker, Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver, jumpstarted the seminar with an assessment of the current employment status in New Jersey and finished with words of inspiration. An extraordinary panel comprised of local business owners, elected officials, educators and service providers discussed the Availability of Resources for Economic Recovery, How to Use Social Media as a Tool for Employment, and How/Why to Keep Your Skill Set Relevant in the Emerging Economy.