HARRISBURG, PA /diversitybusiness.com/ Pa. Gov. Mark Schweiker and six Pennsylvania business journals today announced the winners of the seventh annual Best 50 Women in Business awards.

The awards recognize the significant contributions women make to Pennsylvania's economic- and community-development. The Schweiker Administration will honor this year's 50 winners during an awards reception on Monday, May 20, at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center.

"As business leaders, entrepreneurs and community role models, women are inventing the future in Pennsylvania," Gov. Schweiker said. "Women are helping our Commonwealth distinguish itself as a center of innovation and technology development. There are more than 2.7 million women currently employed in Pennsylvania. Approximately 203,000 of those women are owners of companies, collectively generating $34 billion in revenues. Women are demonstrating the vision and hard work that creates jobs, builds communities and invigorates our economy."

An independent panel of judges selected the 50 winners from 167 eligible nominations based on biographic information, professional and personal accomplishments, community involvement, and advocacy for women in business.

To qualify, a nominee had to meet the following criteria:

• Must be a female resident of Pennsylvania, or be employed in the state;
• May be self-nominated or nominated by another person;
• Must be an owner, partner, president, chief executive officer, board chair, senior executive management level or a woman with significant authority for decision-making in a for-profit business or company;
• Cannot be a member of the judges' panel or a member of a judge's immediate family; and
• May not represent a non-profit organization, be an elected official, a member of the judiciary or a political appointee.

"Our award winners are business achievers who are generously giving back to others as community leaders and visionaries," said David A. Schankweiler, publisher of the Central Penn Business Journal. "Their outstanding contributions contribute greatly to Pennsylvania's economic future and, on behalf of our state's business journals, we are proud to honor Pennsylvania's 2002 Best 50 Women in Business."

Winners will be highlighted in a special supplement at the end of May, which will be included in six of the state's business journals: Central Penn Business Journal; Eastern Pennsylvania Business Journal; Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal; Pennsylvania Business Central; Philadelphia Business Journal; and Pittsburgh Business Times.

A list of the 2002 Best 50 Women in Business can be found at http://www.state.pa.us.