Mom Educates and Empowers; Working Mother Magazine Names 2002 'Working Mother of the Year'.

Business Editors & Lifestyle Writers

NEW YORK--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--April 23, 2002

Working Mother magazine today named Dr. Sharon Ames-Dennard as this year's "Working Mother of the Year."

The Tallahassee, FL-based mother of three was honored today at a special breakfast, sponsored by The Clorox Company, at the 21 Club in New York City. Also in attendance were WNBA President Val Ackerman and Model/Television Personality/Clothing Designer Emme.

"Each fall, our editors comb through hundreds of nominations for our popular Working Mother of the Year Award," explains Jill Kirschenbaum, editor-in-chief of Working Mother. "Sharon's dedication and commitment to children and to her community as a whole made her nomination practically leapt out of the pile." The magazine's May 2002 issue includes an inspiring profile of this extraordinary woman's achievements.

Raised in rural Virginia in a house with no running water, Sharon's life was changed forever at age six when her first-grade teacher invited her home for a weekend visit. That simple gesture taught Sharon about the difference adults can make in the lives of other people's children. "I like to think that my teacher saw something in me," Sharon says. "For her to take the time for a non-relative, that sent a powerful message to me." Today, Sharon's childhood experience continues to serve as inspiration for the many roles she plays in the community. As director of student counseling at Florida A&M University, she offers guidance to college students. As the founder and administrator of the Sakkara Youth Institute, which started as a summer program almost ten years ago and is now a year-round private school, she instills in children a sense of community and pride in their African-American roots.

"The average black child thinks her history began with slavery," Sharon says. "If you think you came from the lowest part of society, how is that going to affect you?" Sharon and her husband, Dana, also founded the Amen-Ra Bookshop and Gallery, the first and only African-centered bookstore in Tallahassee. She also organizes weekend and summer education programs for underprivileged children. The African proverb rings especially true for Sharon: It takes a village to raise a child. Sharon has been a pivotal force in creating that village both for her children, as well as those in her community.

Working Mother magazine, founded in 1979, reaches more than 3 million readers, and is the only national magazine written for career-committed mothers. It is part of Working Mother Media (WMM), which also owns the National Association for Female Executives (NAFE), Executive Female and the annual 100 Best Companies Congress. Recently, WMM established the 9/11 Working Mother Children's Fund, to aid organizations assisting children of working mothers lost in the September 11th tragedy and announced a new initiative, Best Companies for Women of Color.