Virtual Conference to Engage Scientific Thought Leaders on the Future of Women in Chemistry

Hosted by Dow, 60 Speakers will Provide 60 Perspectives in 60 Minutes Promoting the Sciences as an Ideal Career Path for Women

MIDLAND, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE:DOW) today announced it will bring together recognized thought leaders to offer their unique perspectives on women advancing the field of chemistry – as well as other sciences – during “The Future of Women in Chemistry and Science.”

“This virtual conference allows many of the key female leaders in the field of chemistry the chance to tell their stories and to share their personal insights into the ways that women are innovating everywhere.”

Covering topics from mentoring young women and fostering executive leadership to gender differences, the hour-long virtual conference will address the issue of how stakeholders can work together to expand women’s leadership in chemistry and the sciences. As the conference host, Dow seeks to leverage its leadership in the chemical sciences to advance public understanding and appreciation of chemistry during 2011, which the United Nations designated the International Year of Chemistry (IYC).

“The International Year of Chemistry provides an exciting opportunity to share the scientific passion, energy and creativity of the women who are delivering innovative solutions for the world’s greatest challenges,” said Theresa Kotanchek, Vice President of Sustainable Technologies at Dow. “This virtual conference allows many of the key female leaders in the field of chemistry the chance to tell their stories and to share their personal insights into the ways that women are innovating everywhere.”

The virtual conference will take place on Tuesday, March 1, at 11 a.m. ET and is available to anyone – at no cost – at http://futurewecreate.com.

Participants will hear a variety of personal vignettes – offered by women who are leaders in the fields of chemistry and other sciences, business, and women's studies – that give a historical account of science from past, to present, to future. Featured speakers include Mariette DiChristina, the executive editor of Scientific American; Dr. Connie Chow, executive director of the Science Club for Girls; and Linda Rosen, CEO of Change the Equation. Conference participants will also have the opportunity to interact with featured speakers and other participants via digital and social media channels, adding their voices to the overall dialogue on how to advance the profession. Follow Future We Create on Facebook and Twitter to participate.

The conference runs on the first day of Women’s History Month and in the year of the 100^th anniversary of the awarding of the Nobel Prize in chemistry to Madame Marie Curie. Additional information on this first virtual conference – including pictures, bios, and social media channels for all the speakers – is available online.

Subsequent virtual conferences will take place throughout 2011 as part of Dow’s commitment to help encourage interest in chemistry among young people and to generate enthusiasm for the creative future of the science during IYC. Future topics will address sustainable chemistry, innovation, STEM education and other topics.

About Dow

Dow (NYSE: Dow) combines the power of science and technology with the “Human Element” to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world’s most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow’s diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses deliver a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2010, Dow had annual sales of $53.7 billion and employed approximately 50,000 people worldwide. The Company’s more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 188 sites in 35 countries across the globe. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.