The Dow Chemical Company (DOW) announced recently its partnership with the Global Business Coalition (GBC) and the U.S. State Department, as well as other leading corporations, to launch a two-year strategic initiative called "Healthy Women, Healthy Economies." The initiative is a unique forum for business that will, over the next two years, shape a powerful agenda for corporate investment in women and girls, including radically expanded and improved health outcomes. It was launched January 6, 2011, in Washington, D.C. Additional international launch events are scheduled for February 1 in London and March 8 in Johannesburg, with more to follow around the world throughout 2011.

"Women and girls bear a disproportionate share of health and economic burdens around the world, and studies show that investing in women delivers big returns with cascading results for families, communities and economies," said Bo Miller, global director, Corporate Citizenship, The Dow Chemical Company, who represented the company in Washington at the U.S. launch. "We have best-in-class expertise and engagement in addressing HIV/AIDS and in driving diversity and inclusion around the globe. Our participation with Healthy Women, Healthy Economies is a good fit for our corporate priorities and our desire to help solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges."

During the Washington event, executives from business, government and the global health and development community began to shape a global agenda for corporate investment in women and girls - through expanded and improved health outcomes, education, and economic opportunity.

"We are very pleased to welcome the Dow Chemical Company as a new member of GBC," said John Tedstrom, president and CEO, GBC. "Given its leadership in scientific innovation and longstanding commitment to the health and safety of its workforce and the communities in which it operates around the world, Dow is well-positioned to add unique value to our collective efforts in addressing critical global health issues. We particularly salute Dow Chemical for its partnership in the Healthy Women Healthy Economies initiative."

About Dow
Dow combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world's most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow's diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2009, Dow had annual sales of $45 billion and employed approximately 52,000 people worldwide. The Company's more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 214 sites in 37 countries across the globe. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.

OLD - Dow Chemical Company

OLD - Dow Chemical Company

With annual sales of $54 billion and 46,000 employees worldwide, Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. The Company delivers a broad range of products and services to customers in around 160 countries, connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.