SMITHFIELD – Geraldine Ferraro, the former New York congresswoman who ran for vice president 24 years ago, brought media attention to the Women’s Summit 2008 at Bryant University with her keynote speech today.
Both at the podium and in an impromptu interview after her speech, Ferraro declined to discuss her controversial remarks about Democratic presidential candidate Barak Obama. “I am not going to be talking about what you’ve seen on TV,” she said, drawing an audible sigh from the 975 women and men gathered for the 11th annual summit at Bryant.
How the Fastest Growing and Most Innovative Companies Utilize Technology for Their Success
As the Managing Director of RIHub, Rhode Island’s Innovation Hub, I have the privilege of…
Learn More
A supporter of Hillary Rodham Clinton, Ferraro created a stir this week when she was quoted as saying that fellow Democrat Barak Obama would not be where he is in the race for president if he were not black.
The remark led to her resignation from the Clinton fundraising committee. After her speach, however, the 72-year-old Ferraro told reporters that she will continue to work for and help raise money for Clinton on an unofficial basis. “I will support Hillary and I will raise money for her. She’s my friend and I want her to win.”
Ferraro told the sold-out audience of mostly women that she firmly believes women can make a real difference in government, and noted she has been an advocate for women since 1974.
Women belong in the top echelons of politics, academia and business, she said. “You name the field, I believe we need more women in leadership.”
Touching on other current political topics in her speech, Ferraro predicted that a way will be found to include the voters of Florida and Michigan in the Democratic primary. Results in the two states have been put on hold due to questions about the primary’s validity there. But Ferraro said either new elections will be held in those states or the party’s credentials committee will find a way to resolve the dispute over delegates.
Ferraro also told reporters that, if Obama wins the nomination, she will support him.
A second keynote speaker was Michelle Peluso, 36, president and CEO of Travelocity, now the sixth-largest travel agency worldwide due in large part to her efforts. She recalled she took a pay cut when she went to Travelocity in 2002 for a job no one else wanted “because the company was in such a hole.” She was named CEO in 2003.
The daughter and granddaughter of entrepreneurs, she urged women who want to become leaders to find work that they love to do, to work hard at it, to “be a champion for your team” and never to fear taking risks.
“Sitting on the sidelines is not the way you want to spend your life,” Peluso said. She donated part of today’s speaking fee to charity.
The event also featured comments by Bank Rhode Island President and CEO Merrill W. Sherman, who was honored today as the 2008 Bryant University New England Businesswoman of the Year. (READ MORE)
The Women’s Summit 2008 at Bryant University – produced by The Women’s Summit Commitee – was sponsored by Fidelity Investments and The Amica Cos., with additional support from Amgen; BankRI; Hinkley, Allen & Snyeder LLP; National Grid; Navigant Credit Union; PricewaterhouseCoopers, Sensata Technologies; Textron; the Citizens Bank Foundation; GTECH; Hampton Inn & Suites; Ikon Office Solutions; Lefkowitz, Garfinkel, Champi & DeRienzo PC; Right Management; Sperian; and Colonial Printing. Providence Business News was the media sponsor. To learn more, visit wsummit.bryant.edu.
I’m curious why her comment about Justice Thomas and affirmative action being the only reason he got into law school wasn’t mentioned – this was certainly a show stopper comment. If anything she embellished on her divisive remarks.
Congratulations to Katie Machtley and her team for another fantastic Women’s Summit event. Truly inspirational! This is a not-to-be-missed event for women in business. It is no wonder it sells out every year.