Video: Secretary Clinton's Remarks to Techwomen Conference

Remarks at Techwomen Conference

Press Statement

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

San Francisco, CA

February 13, 2012

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America’s high-tech leaders are at the heart of what makes this country great. Your products change the way we live, work, and play. Now, I’m asking for your help on a new diplomatic priority: mentoring women entrepreneurs who are ready to help transform their societies. This program helps women – in the United States and throughout the world – to create connections that inspire ideas and innovation.
Last year, the Department of State connected dozens of women from the Middle East and North Africa with mentors from U.S.-based technology companies to teach them valuable skills. Thanks to the generous support of these companies, TechWomen from Algiers to Amman saw firsthand how American women drive innovation as they mapped out a path to create opportunities in their own communities back home.
Now we’re expanding this network to more countries. This year, TechWomen will include women from Tunisia and Yemen. We also need more mentors from American tech companies – and that’s where all of you come in.
If you’re not already a TechWomen mentor, I hope you’ll consider signing up. You’ll have fun. You might learn something yourself. And you can help a woman who already has a great idea, but just needs that extra bit of guidance or encouragement, to launch a new app or start a new business. Ultimately, that could mean more jobs and more stable societies – and that’s good for all of us.
Thank you.