Working Woman magazine has named SBC Communications one of the year's Top 25 Companies for Executive Women. The magazine's annual ranking recognizes companies that advance opportunities for women. SBC is the only telecommunications company making the list, ranking 17th.

"SBC is proud of the prominent role women play in our business," said Edward E. Whitacre, Jr., chief executive officer of SBC Communications. "Women are increasingly well-represented in management and line positions, as well as throughout our entire workforce."

To compile the ranking, Working Woman surveyed Fortune 1000 companies to identify those with at least two women on their board of directors. Rankings were then based on statistics of women in management and their earnings, as well as innovation in structuring women's programs and results. The magazine examined the depth, breadth and innovation of each company's initiatives to advance women, as well as how the company's culture encourages and supports female employees.

SBC's workforce is comprised of more than 53 percent women. Women make up 48 percent of managers and 23 percent of corporate senior officers. Women also make up 24 percent of the company's board of directors, since SBC's merger with Ameritech. SBC has a number of initiatives to help women advance, including a professional women's employee organization, the SBC Center for Learning, a Leadership Development Program, a tuition aid policy and other professional development programs.

SBC also offers work/life initiatives such as LifeCare, a consultation, education and referral service; an adoption reimbursement program; and leaves of absence for quality-of-life needs such as child leave and family care leave.

In addition to its leadership in hiring and promoting women, SBC has furthered the advancement of women and women's issues in the communities it serves. The SBC Foundation made a $10 million donation to fund the first major museum ever built to honor the accomplishments of women. The Women's Museum: An Institute for the Future will open to the public in 2000. Located in Dallas, it will be the only major museum in the world dedicated solely to honoring and celebrating women's achievements.

SBC has championed women's issues in the community through other programs as well. Since 1996, the SBC Foundation has directed about $6 million through more than 200 grants to other organizations that support women's issues in our region.

SBC has also been a leader in promoting opportunities for women's business enterprises through its supplier chain. In October, SBC was recognized by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council as one of the top 15 corporations in America for women's business enterprises. In the last five years, SBC has spent over $2.4 billion, or 8.3 percent of its procurement dollars, with women-owned businesses.

SBC is joined by companies such as IBM, Procter & Gamble, Dayton Hudson, and Sara Lee who were recognized for their efforts to promote women in the workplace.

SBC Communications Inc.

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