The Paducah Sun from Paducah, Kentucky • 80

Hcawa' Hit Ml mJSLmt mMmm The Int Significant Inroads In delations Women have been particularly successful in the field of public relations. This is evidenced by the fact that women, who account for 44 of the labor force, account for 54 of public relations practitioners. This is up from 1970, when only 27 of all practitioners were women. Perhaps more prophetic for the profession is the fact that about 80 of public relations students are women. Increasingly, women who enter the public relations field seek to demonstrate their skill, knowledge and judgement by Seeking accreditation.

This is accomplished by successfully completing the APR (Accredited in Public Relations) exam, which costs $200 and is given twice a year through most of the more than 100 Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) chapters throughout the United States. Free Brochure A free brochure. Accreditation for Public Relations Professionals, is available by writing on your letterhead to PRSA, 33 Irving Place, New York, NY 10003-2376. You can also call 1-800-WE-R-PRSA or visit the PRSA page on the Internet at httplwww prsa.org Crowing numbers of women are exploring the Internet and looking for gender-friendly sites to visit. Finding them is becoming easier as more locations on the World Wide Web emerge to cater to women's needs and interests.

Silicon Valleys Women's Wire was the first of the Internet companies to recognize this market and is among a growing number of interactive publishers helping to introduce more and more women to the wonders of the online world. "When I was browsing around the Internet a few years ago, I found ttrat everything was aimed at men and their interests. I figured that if I could offer the right balance of information and entertainment and make it of interest to women, then more and more women would have a reason to come online," said Ellen Pack who founded Women's Wire in 1992 after a stint at a Northern California technology company. The "build it and will come" strategy is paying off for her company and for the growing number of women-oriented sites on the World Wide Web. Women are the fastest-growing segment of Internet visitors, accounting for one in three users.

Women's Wire is succeeding in part by serving as a central resource on the Internet, a place where com-puter-sawy women come to network, share ideas, stay on top of the news and gather information on everything from health to careers to parenting. The interactive nature of the content sets it apart from conventional women's magazines, as does a slightly irreverent but sophisticated editorial voice that is especially appropriate for the Internet audience. "Our readers expect practical, timely and topical content, but want it with a measure of fun and cheekiness. Important information a-bout careers; financial planning, health and fitness thrives alongside Women's Wire informs and entertains thousands of women each week by providing readers an interactive opportunity to weigh in on surveys, ask questions of experts in various fields and provide input on what they'd like to see on Women's Wire in the future. Content is organized in "channels," similar to the popular cable networks, where readers can easily locate the topics that appeal to their specific interests.

"Women visit us initially because they are curious about what we are doing or because they are looking for a particular piece of information. They come back again and again because of the editorial content that is designed to entertain, inform, save time and money and otherwise improve their personal and professional lives," said Pack. One of the most popular sections of Women's Wire is "Back Talk," which surveys women's attitudes on everything from movies to world affairs. Women's Wire also features daily news and features about health, fitness, fashion and finance, and also a transactional capability for shoppers. To view this service, you'll need a computer, modem and direct World Wide Web access or a Compuserve account.

A local computer store or Internet service provider can help. Women's Wire's cyberspace address is www.women.com on the Web, and CO WOMEN on Compuserve. Fcmsss Safety and Health Enterprises, Inc. A Company That Cares As Much For Your Employee 's Safety as You Do Our company is devoted to ensuring that your Occupational Safety and Health Compliance Needs are met. Our specialties include both general industry and construction companies of all sizes.

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