WHEW!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 26, 2001

From: Women Helping and Empowering Women! Inc.
Contact: Tracey Crockett, Founder/President/CEO
Phone: (864) 591-3010
E-mail: T.Crockett@women-empowering-women.org.
URL: http://www.women-empowering-women.org

WHEW!

Tracey Crockett knows what it takes for women to make history. The secret is empowerment, and the more the better.

Thats why she formed Women Helping & Empowering Women! Inc. (WHEW!), a nonprofit organization that focuses on overcoming the issues facing women that prevent them from realizing their fullest potential in their personal and professional lives.

Crockett founded the organization after a turning point in her own life when she realized that she and other women needed an outlet to help reclaim their sense of self. From there, WHEW!s mission was born.

WHEW! is a membership-based group with the mission of teaching women how to nurture themselves -- mind, body and soul -- without feeling guilty for doing so.

To celebrate Womens History Month, WHEW! is launching a full-scale nationwide effort to get the word out about what the organization has to offer. The goal is to form chapters of women throughout the country that support, encourage, uplift and empower one another in every facet of their lives, regardless of race, culture, educational level, beliefs, background and socioeconomic status.

"Its easy to say were going to do things or even go out and get the necessary skills to be successful," Crockett said. "However, if we arent happy with who we are, including where we are and where we see ourselves going, we're going to hit a pothole and derail!"

WHEW! is dedicated to helping women relax, rejuvenate, and release so that they can gracefully reclaim their sense of self as they create the life they've envisioned through motivation, interactive tools, life improvement resources, education, leadership, networking support and recognition.

Through various programs such as monthly dinner meetings, "Ive Got The Power" retreats, monthly outings and journal writing, WHEW! seeks to help its members reach their full potential.

Empowerment is a group effort at WHEW!, and the organizations Web site, located at www.women-empowering-women.org, is central to that mission.

The site is a gathering place and jumping-off point to resources and "reaching out" activities that bring members together. It includes event schedules, program descriptions and an interactive discussion board where WHEW! members can bounce ideas off one another. Members also receive a copy of Empowered!, the organizations bimonthly newsletter.

WHEW! pilot chapters are currently centered in Spartanburg and Greenville, S.C. The organizations goal is to have a chapter in every major city of South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia by 2004. From there, organizers plan to take their efforts nationwide with the help of women who sometimes need a WHEW! break.

A holistic approach sets WHEW! apart from the crowd, Crockett said.
"Our organization and Web site are different because we don't just focus on one facet of a woman's life," she said. "We focus on each facet of her life to ensure that she has an opportunity to work on improving each area that may affect how she perceives herself and how she interacts in society."

Membership is open to all women 23 years or older with a high school diploma or GED and a sincere desire to improve the quality of life for themselves and their family. Student memberships are also available for full-time college students aged 18 to 22.

For more information about WHEW! or its programs and resources, telephone Crockett at (864) 574-7898 or (864) 591-3010 or e-mail her at T.Crockett@women-empowering-women.org.

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