2008 GLOBAL MARATHON FOR, BY AND ABOUT WOMEN IN ENGINEERING
24 Hours of Virtual Online Programming “Follows the Sun” Around the Globe

The fourth annual “Global Marathon For, By and About Women in Engineering,” providing information and insight for women worldwide on careers in engineering and technology, will “follow the sun” and the business day around the globe from Noon EDT Wednesday, March 26 to Noon EDT Thursday, March 27.

The 2008 Global Marathon at www.eweek.org features six continuous four-hour blocks of virtual online programming, kicking off in North America and proceeding westward through five additional regions – Mexico/Latin America, China, India, Africa/Middle East, and UK/Europe before returning to North America for closing ceremonies. Each region’s corporate sponsor is developing programming and engaging audience specific to the concerns of women in engineering and technology their part of the world:

• North America – chaired by Verizon Business from Basking Ridge, New Jersey: Wednesday, March 26, 12 Noon – 4 PM EDT
• Mexico and South America – chaired by DuPont from Mexico City: Wednesday, March 26, 4 PM – 8 PM EDT (Mexico City/Federal District time: 2 PM – 6 PM)
• China – chaired by the Chinese Institute of Engineers-USA (CIE-USA) and IBM from Beijing: Wednesday, March 26, 8 PM – 12 Midnight EDT (Beijing time: Thursday, March 27, 8 AM – 12 Noon)
• India – chaired by Motorola from Bangalore, India: Thursday, March 27, 1 AM – 5 AM EDT (Bangalore time: Thursday, March 27, 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM)
• Africa/Middle East – chaired by IBM: Thursday, March 27, 4 AM – 8 AM EDT
• UK/Europe – chaired by BP from London: Thursday, March 27, 8 AM – 11:30 AM EDT (London time: Thursday, March 27, 12 Noon – 3:30 PM)
• North America – closing ceremonies chaired by Verizon Business from Basking Ridge, New Jersey: Thursday, March 27, 11:30 AM – 12:00 Noon EDT

The 24-hour marathon of Webcasts, Internet chats and teleconferences will connect an international community of women in engineering, technology and other professions with expertise in a variety of disciplines on the benefits and wide ranging possibilities of careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Each presenter will lead a 30- to 60-minute presentation with postings and questions from participants worldwide. All sessions and presentations will be archived for future access.

The Global Marathon, coinciding with Women’s History Month, is a project of the National Engineers Week Foundation and Verizon Business, with support from Motorola Foundation and the Bechtel Group Foundation. Honorary Chairperson for the Global Marathon is Judy Spitz, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Verizon Business.

“Simply put, the Global Marathon is a two-way communication forum,” said Spitz. “Not only does it give young women the opportunity to hear about career opportunities in engineering and technology, it gives women already in those careers a way to share their stories, encourage other women to consider a future in engineering and technology and to create a vision for these young women that they may not yet have for themselves.”

Verizon Business kicks off the Global Marathon with a live Webcast and in-person audience from Basking Ridge, New Jersey, including a panel discussion and live links to women worldwide, encouraging high school and college women to imagine their future.

“Attracting women into engineering and technology careers and advancing women into leadership positions is a challenge everywhere, especially in India and throughout Asia,” said Deepa Singhal from Motorola in Bangalore, India. “The Global Marathon is the perfect opportunity for us to help women make an impact, especially in telecommunications and wireless software development, while maintaining a balance between work and life.”

The Global Marathon is a project of the National Engineers Week Foundation and Verizon Business, with support from Motorola Foundation and the Bechtel Group Foundation, and is an extension of Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, sponsored by Agilent Technologies, Inc., Motorola Foundation, and the S.D. Bechtel Jr. Foundation.

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About the National Engineers Week Foundation
The Engineers Week coalition comprises more than 75 engineering, professional, and technical societies and more than 50 corporations and government agencies. Founded by the National Society of Professional Engineers, the coalition is dedicated to sustaining and growing a dynamic engineering profession by ensuring a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce, increasing understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers among young students, and promoting pre-college literacy in math and science. Among the oldest of America’s professional outreach efforts, the coalition also raises public understanding and appreciation of engineering contributions to society through year-round innovative programming and celebration. Co-chairs of Engineers Week 2008, February 17-23, are the Chinese Institute of Engineers-USA (CIE-USA) and IBM.

About Verizon Business
Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ), is a leading provider of advanced communications and information technology (IT) solutions to large business and government customers worldwide. Combining unsurpassed global network reach with advanced technology and professional service capabilities, Verizon Business delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world. For more information, visit www.verizonbusiness.com/.