GRDC News - April 2005
 

Women's History Month Event sponsored by Women's Network at Bausch & Lomb

The Women’s Network of Bausch & Lomb (WN@BL) sponsored “Discovery Within Bausch & Lomb”  in celebration of Women’s History Month.  The program featured musical performances by Bausch & Lomb employees and family members and a motivational speech by Ernest L. Hicks.

Angela Panzarella, Vice President, Global Vision Care, introduced the event speaking to the theme of Women’s History Month for 2005, Women Change America.  Angela reminds us: “Learning and remembering the stories of women’s success…give us a perspective that challenges our assumptions about the role of women in society.  Celebrating women role models in our history also expands our understanding of what is possible for women to accomplish in the future.”

Angela emphasized the value of diversity as she encouraged “B&L to understand its consumers, to be a better partner with our customers, to recruit and retain talented employees, it is vitally important that we appreciate and understand the role of women in society:  How our are lives are changing, what we value, and what we can accomplish."

“Consider, first, that women are the predominate audience for our products.  That has always been true of contact lenses.  And, given the longer life expectancy of women, women are also the primary market for B&L’s growing portfolio of products that treat age-related eye conditions.”

“Consider, as well, that women make up an increasingly important segment of our professional customer base.  For example, ten years ago, about thirty percent of optometry students were women. Today, women represent more than seventy percent of optometry students. The proportion of men to women entering the profession has reversed.“

“And finally, consider the importance of women in the labor pool.  Women are more likely than men to finish high school, and since 1982, women have outpaced men in receiving baccalaureate degrees.   Today, no company can be successful in the marketplace unless it is successful in recruiting and retaining the talented, well-educated women in the workforce.”

Dominic Ruscio, Director R&D, presided as Master of Ceremonies.  He kept the audience entertained with his humor and grace.  The musical performances provided an opportunity for all to appreciate the talents of the performers:

The audience was then inspired by Ernest L Hicks, Manager, Xerox Corporate Diversity Office.  His speech entitled “Seven Key Characteristics of Winners and Five Keys to Health & Wealth” encouraged the audience to work towards success in life by taking the time to learn who we are and address areas of balance, vision, purpose, focus.  The keys to wealth and happiness emphasized learning to handle frustration, rejection, pressure and complacency as well as the importance of learning how to give & receive.  During his dynamic presentation he used humor to remind us that while these ideas are not new, revisiting them is valuable to renew our focus and strengthen our attitudes leading to success, Li-chun Tsou, Sr Scientist, Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Development, and president of WN@BL organized this event to provide an opportunity for all employees to “Come to know your colleagues”.  The Women’s Network invited management to attend and participate as recognition of the value in establishing a personal connection among employees.  The mission of The Women’s Network is to support and enhance the growth, leadership development and retention of women employees at Bausch & Lomb.  All employees are invited to participate in WN@BL and WN@BL sponsored activities.