ANN INC. (NYSE:ANN), the parent company of Ann Taylor and LOFT, is launching a national search during the month of March for young women who embody the skills and traits to be the leaders of tomorrow. Through a competitive application process, ANN INC. and Vital Voices Global Partnership will select 50 young women who are rising high school juniors and seniors across the U.S. to become ANNpower Fellows and participate in the first annual ANNpower Vital Voices Leadership Forum.  Applications will be accepted March 1 through March 31 and can be found online at ANNpower.org.

The ANNpower Vital Voices Initiative is a groundbreaking partnership between ANN INC. and Vital Voices. Together, they are working to train and empower young women in the U.S. to invest in their communities and begin their journey as the next generation of leaders. As part of the program, the girls who are selected will attend the ANNpower Vital Voices Leadership Forum, a three-day leadership training program in Washington, DC from June 3-6, 2012.  The Forum’s curriculum will be based on the Vital Voices Leadership Model and the girls will be mentored by 12 global women leaders who are part of the Vital Voices Network. After completing the curriculum, the 50 ANNpower Fellows will be challenged to go back to their communities and create a project that will affect change at the local level. They will also be eligible later in the year to win project grants to put their ideas into action.

“We are a Company that is committed to helping women put their best selves forward every day,” said Kay Krill, President and CEO of ANN INC., “and through the ANNpower Vital Voices Initiative, we are empowering the next generation of young women from across the United States to make a difference in their communities. We are privileged to play such a significant role in providing them with the tools and skills they need on their path to leadership.”

“We are challenging young women to take their first step as rising leaders and recognize their power, voice and responsibility to stand up and make change. We could not have a better partner than ANN INC. to help us do this.  The ANNpower Initiative is an opportunity for young women to blaze their own trail as the leaders of a new generation,” said Vital Voices President and CEO Alyse Nelson.

ANN INC. has committed to invest $1.3 Million over four years in support of the ANNpower Vital Voices Initiative. In 2011, 10 ANNpower Fellows were selected and represent an engaged, diverse, and talented group of young women who are currently working on projects that serve their communities in a meaningful way.

To learn more about the ANNpower Vital Voices Initiative or to apply to be an ANNpower Fellow, visit ANNpower.org.

About Vital Voices Global Partnership

Vital Voices Global Partnership is a leading non-governmental organization that identifies, invests in and brings visibility to extraordinary women around the world by unleashing their leadership potential to transform lives and accelerate peace and prosperity in their communities. Founded by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 1997, the organization trains and mentors women leaders as agents of transformative change in economic development, human rights and political participation. The Vital Voices Global Leadership Network includes more than 10,000 leaders representing 144 countries who have trained and mentored 500,000 additional women and girls in their communities. Visit www.vitalvoices.org to learn more.

About ANN INC.

ANN INC. is the parent Company of Ann Taylor and LOFT, two of the leading women's specialty retail fashion brands in the United States.  The Company operates 950 Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Factory, LOFT and LOFT Outlet stores in 46 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico as of October 29, 2011, as well as online at AnnTaylor.com and LOFT.com.  Visit ANNINC.com for more information (NYSE: ANN).              

ANN INC.

ANN INC.

ANN INC. is the parent Company of Ann Taylor and LOFT, two of the leading women's specialty retail fashion brands in the United States. The Company operates 942 Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Factory, LOFT and LOFT Outlet stores in 46 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico as of July 30, 2011, as well as online at AnnTaylor.com and LOFT.com. Visit ANNINC.com for more information (NYSE: ANN).

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