CHANTILLY, Va. – The Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT) Foundation reminded the industry that completed PAR Initiative surveys are due Friday, May 26. 2006 marks the 4th year the WICT Foundation has conducted the PAR Initiative.

The PAR Initiative is the WICT Foundation’s advocacy initiative to both measure and support the advancement of women in the cable and telecommunications industry against the following standards: Pay Equity where women are paid equal to men at every level; Advancement opportunities where women are represented in equal numbers to men at every level; and Resources for work/life where companies' work/life support practices enable the ongoing advancement of women at all levels.
 
WICT will present the Forerunner Accolades to the Best Operator for Women in Cable and the Best Programmer for Women in Cable as determined by the results of the WICT Foundation’s PAR Initiative. Additionally, WICT will release the Best Companies for Women in Cable lists.  Cox Communications received the 2005 Forerunner Accolade for Best Operator and Discovery Communications received the 2005 Forerunner Accolade for Best Programmer for Women in Cable. More information on the PAR Initiative can be found at www.wict.org.

The 2006 Accolades will be presented at the 22nd Annual WICT Foundation Benefit Gala on November 15, 2006, in Washington D.C.  The WICT Foundation Benefit Gala is presented by the 2006 WICT Leadership Circle: Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., MTV Networks and BET Networks, Comcast, Cox Communications, Time Warner Cable, and Charter Communications.
 
About WICT
For over twenty-five years, WICT has partnered with cable and telecommunications leaders to provide leadership programs and services, and create professional advancement opportunities for women. With over 5,000 members, Women in Cable Telecommunications is the oldest and largest professional association serving women in the cable telecommunications industry. WICT develops women leaders who transform our industry through highly regarded professional events, educational programming and networking opportunities. WICT has 20 local chapters and satellites across the country. For more information, visit www.wict.org.

The WICT Foundation serves as a catalyst for industry change through research, development, advocacy and education.  Its current effort, the PAR Initiative, measures and supports the advancement of industry women against the following standards:  Pay Equity, Advancement Opportunities and Resources for Work/Life Support.  Groundbreaking programs such as the PAR Initiative, and other WICT Foundation research on issues such as work/life balance and the business case for gender diversity, have inspired industry-wide advancements for women.  The Foundation’s development efforts are responsible for some of WICT's most innovative programs, particularly the Betsy Magness Leadership Institute.