Be a part of the Buycott

Subject: She Stops Shopping to Conquer - October 19, 2004


If women shut their purses and didn't shop for a day, would the economy
suffer? The idea gets tested on Oct. 19 by 85 Broads, a networking group
founded in
1999 by Janet Hanson, who worked for Goldman Sachs-headquartered at 85
Broad
St.


Business Week has learned that 85 Broads is asking its 4,000-plus members
in
450 companies, colleges, and B-schools not to spend that day. Hanson says
the
"buycott" will show the gap between women's purchasing power and their
underrepresentation in boardrooms and executive suites. Members plan to
spread the
word to friends and to women on college campuses. Women control $3.3
trillion in
yearly consumer spending, 44% of national spending- a sum that isn't just
symbolic.


According to Business Week, the U.S. economy has become increasingly
female-driven...

Did you know that women in the U.S.:

1) Control $3.3 TRILLION in annual consumer spending?

2) Make 62% of all car purchases?

3) Take more than 50% of all business trips?

4) Control over 50% of the personal wealth in this country?


UNFORTUNATELY, WOMEN'S PURCHASING POWER STILL HASN'T TRANSLATED INTO

ECONOMIC POWER.


According to Catalyst, only 6 CEO's in the Fortune 500 are women, 12.4% are
board directors, and 5.2% are among the top earners in the country.


On TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19th, we invite you to leave your checkbook and credit
cards at home as a symbolic gesture that we no longer "buy" the glacial
pace of
change for working women in America. Instead of shopping, go for a walk in
the
park, write a letter to a friend, enjoy a museum, or help someone in need.


PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND TELL YOUR FRIENDS