You can take action as a shareholder to help increase the number of women serving on public company boards. ION shows you how.

The Picture

In 2006, women held only 16% of the board positions in the 200 largest public companies in America. (Spencer Stuart 2006 Board Diversity Report)

Consider some facts from the eight regions represented by ION's member groups:

• The highest percentage of women directors on Fortune 500 boards was 20.5% (Massachusetts).
• The highest percentage of women directors in all companies researched by the eight ION members was 13.8% (Chicago).
• More than half the companies in some areas had no women directors.
• A high of only 8% of the companies in several ION areas had 25% or more women directors.

In 2006 more than two-thirds of the companies in all eight geographic areas had no women among their most highly compensated executives.

ION Wants to Change This Picture and YOU Can Help!

Put Your Mouth Where Your Money Is: Use your position as a shareholder to increase the number of women in leadership at the companies in which you invest your dollars. Studies show that increased diversity among corporate leaders is linked to improved governance practices and financial success. Simply stated, it is good for business.

The following pages tell you how you can make a difference by exercising your proxy and letting those in a position to change the composition of corporate leadership know that you care enough about this issue to take action.

• If you are ready to act, follow the steps listed here.
• To gain a greater understanding of ways by which individual shareholders can make a difference and how to get the information you need about the companies in which you own stock, click here.
• Click here to acquaint yourself with the reasons why diversity at the top is important.

Where Are The Women was initially conceived and developed by Women On the Job, a nonprofit organization located in Port Washington, NY. Women On the Job has granted ION permission to use the name.