MEDIA CONTACTS:

                                 Laura Goode, New America Media /415.503.4170                                                                     

NEW AMERICA MEDIA RECEIVES $25,000 KELLOGG FOUNDATION

GRANT TO DISTRIBUTE HISTORIC RESEARCH DATA ON WOMEN IMMIGRANTS

NAM Poll Details Demographics, Challenges and Success of Women Immigrants to US

SAN FRANCISCO-New America Media (NAM) today received a $25,000 grant from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation to inform immigrant support organizations, as well as the general public, about extensive new research NAM has conducted on woman immigrants to the United States.

NAM, an organization of 2,500 ethnic media outlets, commissioned some of the most comprehensive polling ever done on woman immigrants. The respondents are women immigrants from around the world who answered questions such as why they came and the many challenges they face in the US.  Conducted by Bendixen & Associates, the poll also reveals surprising findings about the family structure, income levels and other aspects of the lives of women immigrants.

“We have compiled exciting new information about women immigrants,” said Sandy Close, NAM’s Executive Director.  “Our research will help immigrant support organizations and women’s groups assist female immigrants with their adjustments to life in the United States. We are grateful to the W. K. Kellogg Foundation for their grant, which will help us bring the research results to these organizations and the public, and ultimately help women immigrants enjoy a better life in the United States.”

Results of the poll will be discussed and released during an event at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, May 14.  At 8:45 A. M., a forum will be held to discuss key aspects of the poll.  Kathy Spillar, Executive Vice President, Feminist Majority Foundation, and Executive Editor, Ms. Magazine, will moderate the forum, which will include panelists Angela M. Kelley, Vice President for Immigration Policy, Center for American Progress; Silvia Henriquez, Executive Director, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health; Karen K. Narasaki, President and Executive Director, Asian American Justice Center; and Sara K. Gould, President and CEO, Ms. Foundation for Women.

Following the panel discussion, a news conference will be held at 10:30 A. M.  Ms. Close and Sergio Bendixen, who conducted the poll, will discuss the research results and answer questions from the media.

The Kellogg Foundation grant will allow NAM to produce a short video highlighting the poll results and how this new information about women immigrants can be used to help improve their quality of life.  The video will be produced as a computer file that will be distributed via email to groups and organizations around the country. The Kellogg grant will also allow NAM to conduct media outreach about the poll in eight US cities that have a high concentration of women immigrants.

The W. K. Kellogg Foundation was established in 1930. The philanthropy supports children, families and communities as they strengthen and create conditions that propel vulnerable children to achieve success as individuals and as contributors to the larger community and society. Grants are concentrated in the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the southern African countries of Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. For further information, please visit the Foundation’s website at www.wkkf.org.