Business and Professional Women/USA (BPW/USA) is saluting the selection of Governor Sarah Palin as the first woman Vice Presidential nominee for the Republican Party.

While her nomination puts a much needed spotlight on the challenges faced by many working women as they seek to balance work and caregiving responsibilities, BPW/USA officials say they expect the press and the public to focus on her positions on issues rather than her ability to do the job because of gender or motherhood.

BPW/USA believes that greater attention to work/life policies is needed so that working women and men do not have to choose between their responsibilities as employees and their responsibilities to their families. BPW/USA is committed to ensuring access for all workers to paid sick days, expanding existing rights to time off for family and medical needs and implementing new policies guaranteeing the right to request flexibility and equal pay.

BPW/USA advocates for successful and equitable workplaces. Successful workplaces are those that offer flexible options to all employees including those with families. Workplace flexibility began in response to a perceived need to “accommodate” working mothers. Now, businesses have found that successful flex programs meet bottom line needs as well.

“Governor Palin must speak to the issues that impact working women and their families. As a working mother, we hope she will be a strong advocate for work-life policies such as paid sick leave, FMLA and flex time,” said BPW/USA CEO Deborah L. Frett. “The ultimate working mother is one who has the support and resources to be a successful care giver and an employee without penalty.”

Founded in 1919, BPW/USA is a multi-generational, nonpartisan membership organization with a mission to achieve equity for all women in the workplace through advocacy, education, and information. Established as the first organization to focus on issues of working women, BPW/USA is historically a leader in grassroots activism, policy influence and advocacy for millions of working women.