POTSDAM -- Educators are invited to connect their students, campus communities and alumni to Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Nov. 19 at Clarkson.

“Empowering women worldwide and investing in their futures helps to drive and promote economic vitality and security locally and globally,” says Wendy Diamond, founder of WED. “Twenty-first century leadership skills, such as cooperation, communication, and sharing are more commonly associated with women. We want to celebrate the unwavering positives that women entrepreneurs bring to the global economy as well as inspire and support future generations of women.”

Women's Entrepreneurship Day Education Program Chair Kelly Chezum is part of a team of educators encouraging more colleges and universities to hold WED events on their campuses. Through this network, the group wants to bring attention to the contributions of women entrepreneurs and encourage participation by alumni and student delegates at WED’s signature gathering at the United Nations in New York City on Thursday, Nov. 19, with entrepreneurs from around the world.

"Institutions are being asked to host activities on their own campus that connect students and alumni with experienced women entrepreneurs and potentially find mentors. The important piece is creating awareness of women in business and women running their own business ventures," said Chezum. "For all of us, whenever you can see yourself in someone who is five to ten years later in their career, it's an exciting opportunity to think of your own career progression in ways you might not have thought of already."

Speakers and honorees at the United Nations event include:

· Marina Abramovic – performance artist

· Leslie Blodgett – creator, bareMinerals and CEO of Bare Escentuals

· Caroline Donahue – chief marketing and sales officer, Intuit

· Vicki Escarra –CEO, Opportunity International

· Adena Friedman – president, Global Capital Access, Technology and Insights, NASDAQ

· Andrea Jung – president and CEO, Grameen America; former CEO, Avon Products; board member Apple, General Electric

· Leona Lewis – Grammy nominee, musical artist, songwriter

· Heidi Messer – co-founder, Collective and Linkshare

· Craig Newmark – founder, Craigslist and Craigconnects

· Alysia Reiner – Award-winning actress, “Orange is the New Black”

· Andrew Serwer, editor-in-chief, Yahoo Finance

· Vivienne Tam, Internationally Renowned Fashion Designer

Clarkson is sending nine students to join other student delegates at the United Nations from Babson College, Brown University, Fordham, Yale University, Hunter College, New York University and Illinois State University, among many others who have made a commitment to attend. The United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship and Legacy Out Loud have also joined the Education Program Network.

"This is Clarkson’s second year of being represented at Women's Entrepreneurship Day at the United Nations. It was truly transformative experience for the past participants and opened new networks and connections to personal and professional goals," said Chezum.

Anyone from the education community who would like to financially support a student from their institution or alma mater to attend the United Nations event on Nov. 19 can receive a 25 percent ticket price discount.

As part of the WED celebration, more than 144 Women's Entrepreneurship Day ambassadors will launch local initiatives across the globe. Ambassadors representing countries across Asia, Europe, North America, Central America, the Caribbean, South America, the Middle East and Africa will host local activities in celebration of entrepreneurship.

To learn more about Women's Entrepreneurship Day and how to participate, visit http://womenseday.org.

Educators who want to learn more and join the Education Program network can contact Kelly Chezum at kchezum@clarkson.edu or visit http://womenseday.org/education-program.