Conference focuses on Asian women's employment needs

Funding and community awareness of Asian women's employment needs were stressed at a recent conference in the International District.

Approximately seventy Asian/Pacific women, community leaders, government officials and service providers participated in the first Pacific Northwest Asian/Pacific Women's Employment Needs Conference. The conference, sponsored by the Department of Labor (DOL) and the Asian Pacific Women's Caucus, was held in late February at the International Terrace.

Gwen Wong, from the DOL's Women's Bureau, stated the Bureau advocates for conditions of women's roles in employment. She also stated that the bulk of Federal monies go to local agencies. People should look to state and local agencies for information, expertise, and money for projects on employment needs of Asian/Pacific women. Big monies are distributed to the state, county and cities which would be the prime sponsors, she said.

Wong said there is a need to encourage local,...