On October 25, 1997, the Irish Institute welcomed 18 women business executives from Northern Ireland and southern Ireland for a two week program.  The executives partcipitated in a series of lectures from BC faculty and special guests, and visits to local industries which are characteristics of Irish Institute Programs.

The Women's Executive Business Program is aimed at executives who hold senior management positions or oversee small business in a variety of industries, including communications, catering, education, sales, publications, travel, health, and beauty.  Besides improving their business and organizational skills, and establishing ties with the local business community, participants can gain an inshight into professional support systems for women executives in the US, and explore ideas for further strengthening the position of women in the workplace.

During their two-week stay, the executives heard lectures from Carroll Graduate School of Management Dean Hassell McClellan and CSOM faculity members on such subjects as marketing strategy, legal issues, information technology, leadership skills, balancing career and family, and organizational management.

The participants made site visits to the Small Business Administration, US Export Assistance Center, massachusetts Export Center and several companies and women's business groups.  They also traveled to Washington, DC, where they had an opportunity to meet with representatives of the National Association of Women Business Owners and Women in Governmental Relations, among other activites.

"This was a wonderful opportunity to step back, and in a different environment, to analyze our business and careers," said Fran Murrin, managing director of With Taste Banqueting Services of Dublin.

US AMBASSADOR JEAN KENNEDY SMITH MEETS WITH WEP I

Eighteen female Business executives met with US Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith on 1 October, 1997, before they set off to the US as part of a unique Boston College Women’s Executive Program.

From Antrim, Cork, Dublin, Down, Fermanagh, Mayo, and Waterford, the executives hold senior management positions or oversee small business and are seeking to improve their business and organizational skills.  The executives represent a variety of industries in Northern and Southern Ireland, including communications, catering, education, sales, publications, travel, health, and beauty.

US Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith said that each participant works in a business sector that is significantly more developed in the US than on the island of Ireland.  "They will get an overview of professional support systems for women executives in the US as well as numerous opportunities to meet and network with their American peers through site visits, lectures, and social events," she said.  "I have no doubt that the round table discussions with members of professional women’s groups in the New England area will help explore and develop characteristics that facilitate the promotion of women in the workplace."

NORMA SMURFIT TALKS TO WEP I

Norma Smurfit, the founder and chairperson of First Step, gave a congratulatory and motivational speech to the eighteen female business executive graduates of the Boston College Women’s Executive Program.

First Step, developed in 1990, is a non-profit organization with approved charitable status.  The organization has prominent Irish business community leaders to harness the goodwill of the private sector to help individuals find their talents.  Since 1990, First Step has funded more than 130 projects at a cost of 1.1 million dollars and created more than 350 jobs in Ireland.