FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, February 8, 2012 Contact: Jessica Erickson, (608) 215-0468, [email protected] Dana Perino to Keynote 25th Annual WWIG Scholarship Recognition Banquet Dinner to Be Held Thursday, May 24 at the Monona Terrace in Madison MADISON – Wisconsin Women in Government (WWIG) announced today that Dana Perino, who served as the White th House Press Secretary to former President George W. Bush, will keynote the organization’s 25 Annual Scholarship Recognition Banquet on Thursday, May 24, 2012 at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison. th “We are proud to celebrate our 25 Anniversary this year, and thrilled to have Dana Perino as our keynote speaker,” said Kelli Thompson, WWIG President. “As only the second female press secretary in U.S. history, Dana Perino has blazed a path forward for women pursuing careers in public service. She is a true role model for women serving in government at all levels.” Individual banquet tickets are on sale now for $65 and can be purchased online at www.WiscWomenInGovernment.org. Those interested in attending can also call (608) 848-2321 for more information. Sponsorships are also available, and information on sponsorship levels and how to reserve your table can also be found at www.WiscWomenInGovernment.org. th This year’s 25 Anniversary banquet will highlight women involved with WWIG throughout the past 25 years, as well as recent undergraduate scholarship recipients. The event will begin with a networking reception featuring a silent auction and free photo booth from 5:30-7:00 p.m. The dinner, program and keynote address will run from 7:00-8:30 p.m. WWIG’s annual dinner is the premier bipartisan political event in Wisconsin, attended by more than 1,000 federal, state and local elected officials, business leaders, public servants, and political enthusiasts. Since 1987, WWIG has raised money to support and encourage women to choose a career in public service and to advance women in government. Media interested in attending should contact Jessica Erickson at 608-215-0468 or via email at [email protected] for media credentials. About Dana Perino Dana Perino served as White House Press Secretary to former President George W. Bush from 2007-2009. As only the second female press secretary in U.S. history (and the first female Republican) and one of the most widely-respected members of President Bush’s senior staff, she is an expert in crafting and communicating key messages under stressful conditions and a keen analyst of the latest political news. Perino is currently a Fox News contributor and co-host of The Five, the channel’s daily political news show. She is also the president of the strategic communications firm, Dana Perino and Company; the editorial director of Crown Forum, the imprint of Crown Publishing Group; and a frequent public speaker on how politics affects people outside the beltway. President Obama also nominated her to the Broadcasting Board of Governors in 2009. -MORE- After leaving the White House in 2009, Perino spent time volunteering at an HIV / AIDS treatment center in South Africa. She has developed a unique interest in the areas of women’s rights and maternal health, especially in Africa. In 2011, she collaborated with fellow Broadcasting Board of Governor Susan McCue to launch Congo Story, a website that shines light on the brutal realities of daily life for women in Africa. She is also the founder of Minute Mentoring, an organization focused on giving professional guidance to young women starting their careers. Additionally, she serves on the boards of Mothers Day Every Day, Running Start, ONE Campaign, and Pets2Vets. Perino spent more than seven years serving in the Bush Administration. Before she joined the White House, she was a spokesperson at the U.S. Department of Justice. She also worked in the White House doing communications work for the Council on Environmental Justice. Her political experience also includes working on Capitol Hill for Rep. Dan Schaefer (R-CO) and Rep. Scott McInnis (R-CO). Perino worked as a journalist before turning to politics, covering the State Assembly of Illinois for local CBS. She is also a former commentariat for The Washington Post, POLITICO, and National Review. Past Keynote Speakers 2011 – Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Maryland’s first woman Lieutenant Governor 2010 – Karen Hughes, former counselor to President George W. Bush 2009 – Donna Brazile, veteran Democratic political commentator and strategist 2008 – Jenna Bush, best-selling author & international child rights advocate 2007 – Elizabeth Edwards, accomplished attorney, best-selling author 2006 – Christine Todd Whitman, New Jersey’s first female Governor 2005 – Hillary Rodham Clinton, Former First Lady and U.S. Senator 2004 – Mary Matalin, former counselor to President Bush & Vice President Cheney 2003 – The Capitol Steps, musical political satire 2002 – Linda Wertheimer, award-winning broadcaster for National Public Radio 2001 – Catherine Crier, award-winning journalist for Court TV 2000 – Arianna Huffington, syndicated columnist and author 1999 – Pat Schroeder, former Colorado congresswoman 1998 – Ann Richards, former Governor of Texas 1997 – Lynne Cheney, former Chairwoman of the National Endowment for the Humanities and author 1996 – Dee Dee Myers, former press secretary for President Clinton 1995 – Jeane Kirkpatrick, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations 1994 – Ann Compton, award-winning journalist for ABC 1993 – Janet Steiger, former chairwoman of the Federal Trade Commission 1992 – Molly Ivins, award-winning syndicated columnist and best-selling author 1991 – Peggy Noonan, columnist for the Wall Street Journal, author, and former speechwriter to President Reagan 1990 – Ellen Goodman, syndicated columnist 1989 – Marie Davis Jackson 1988 – Donna Shalala, President of the University of Miami, former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and former Chancellor of UW-Madison ###