Following last year's pioneering gathering of 300 women leaders from around the world—from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Liberian powerhouse Leymah Gbowee—Tina Brown, editor in chief of The Daily Beast and HP Chief Marketing Officer Michael Mendenhall have announced the second annual Women in the World Summit. The event will take place in New York City from March 10th to 12th, 2011.
Joining Tina Brown as co-hosts are Diane von Furstenberg, Meryl Streep, and Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg, along with partners Women for Women International, Vital Voices Global Partnership and founding event co-sponsor HP.
Participants already confirmed to attend include former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Ingrid Betancourt, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Ashley Judd, Ambassador Charlene Barshefsky, Leymah Gbowee, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Firoozeh Dumas, Andrea Mitchell, Michelle Rhee, Ambassador Melanne Verveer, Malika Saada Saar, and acclaimed Chinese journalist Huang Hung.
The Daily Beast's 2011 Women in the World Summit will continue the international dialogue of last year's celebrated event, which was opened by Secretary Clinton. Activists from Afghanistan, Africa, China, Europe, India, and the U.S. offered powerful stories and inspiring solutions to global challenges affecting women and girls including sex trafficking, child marriage, and thwarted access to education. The March 2011 summit will focus on the success stories of women who have risen above these challenges, innovative executives who are revolutionizing global business culture and courageous women leaders whose pioneering energy is the hallmark of the 21st century.
"Women are the mothers of invention and this summit will bring together the inspirational people and ideas generating remarkable success stories all over the world," said Tina Brown of the upcoming summit.
HP's Michael Mendenhall said, "Last year's Women in the World Summit brought together some of the most brilliant, influential and diverse women leaders from around the world. We are thrilled to continue our collaboration with The Daily Beast."
Meryl Streep said, "The incredible series of talks and encounters (at the 2010 summit) was the most exciting, encouraging meeting on these subjects that I've ever had the privilege to attend."
• Complete Coverage of Women in the WorldAdded Sheryl Sandberg, "In today's era of increased connectedness, we have the responsibility to work together to improve the lives of women—and men—everywhere. There are heroes all over the world who inspire us with their triumphs over adversity."
On the second night of the Women in the World Summit Diane von Furstenberg will once again host the DVF Awards recognizing outstanding female leaders from around the world. "I am forever impressed by the strength of women, but channeling that strength is crucial. Getting together and inspiring one another is the most valuable thing we can do for the future."
