S-women, the first volunteer women's advisory board, held its second bi-annual meeting in Chicago, where its members convened to discuss solutions to crucial women's issues, and focus on advocacy, research and economic power. The group is sponsored by SBLI USA Mutual Life Insurance Company, Inc. (https://www.sbliusa.com/), and wholly-owned subsidiary S.USA Life Insurance Company, Inc., a leading financial services provider.

Speaking at the meeting, honored guest, Stephanie Neely, Treasurer, City of Chicago, said, "I applaud you for your efforts to advocate for women to improve their economic power. We must be able to take care of our families, and financial literacy is crucial to our being able to do so." As a result of Ms. Neely's discussion, the Board has determined it will go forward to research effective methods and programs to educate women and families in order to improve their financial futures.

SBLI USA, which is committed to the advocacy and financial education of women, families and underserved communities, strongly supports the Board's objective to influence the financial empowerment of women and their families. As such, SBLI USA fully intends to support the Board as it implements Ms. Neely's and other's ideas.

In fulfilling its objective, the S-women Advisory Board will serve as a beacon, lighting the way towards financial security for millions of women and families everywhere. Sitting on the S-women Board are 16 of Chicago's most influential and successful women. As the Board begins to realize its mission to leverage leadership and knowledge in order to help thousands of economically and ethnically diverse women, the model will then be replicated in other regions as needed.

In commenting on the Board's objectives and current initiatives, Emilia DiMenco, Executive Vice President of Harris Bank, Chicago, said, "I joined S-women because its mission and passion to connect women with a mutual interest to support the financial empowerment of all women and families is reflective of my own goals and values. Not only do we plan to study the 68 million wage-earning and salaried women in the U.S., but also the 5 million who are currently unemployed - each of whom continues to take on an ever-increasing and crucial role in today's economic marketplace and in their own financial futures."

Women Employed's Associate Director, Jenny Wittner, remarked, "Women represent a record half of the total U.S. Labor Force, and account for eighty-three percent of all consumer purchases, yet more than one million women earn wages below the federal minimum wage. We understand that it is time for women to flex their muscle as consumers and employees, and this Board will focus on the collective research required to bring attention and action to the critical issues."

Weighing in on the Board's sense of urgency in fulfilling its objective, President of Lazos Latinos and author of Latinization, Chicago's Cristina Benitez said of S-women, "This powerful advisory board has the means and desire to make a difference; to advocate for women and families of every economic, ethnic and educational demographic across the U.S., and we must act now!"

Serving on this prestigious Midwest board are: Cristina Benitez, President, Lazos Latinos, Christine Bork, CEO, YWCA of Metropolitan, Chicago, Deane Brown, Partner, Beermann Swerdlove, LLP, Chicago, Marian Carrington, Principal, Carrington & Carrington, Ltd., Chicago, Gloria Castillo, President, Chicago United, Emilia DiMenco, Executive Vice President, Harris Bank, Anne Ladky, Executive Director, Women Employed, Dr. Stefanie Lenway, Dean, College of Business, University of Illinois at Chicago, Connie Lindsey, Executive Vice President, Northern Trust, Chicago, Vikki Pryor (https://www.sbliusa.com/english/pages/about_us/media_center /company_background/leadership/Board_Directors_Team_Bios/Vik ki_Pryor.html), President and CEO, SBLI USA Mutual Life Insurance/S.USA Life Insurance, Chicago, Diana Palomar Scott, Vice President, Community Affairs, ABC-7, Chicago, Hedy Ratner, Co-President and Founder, Women's Business Development Center, Chicago, Melody Spann-Cooper, Chairman, Midway Broadcasting and President, WVON Radio, Chicago, Rachel Stack, Director of Advancement, University of Illinois at Chicago, Lindsay Tilchen-Johnson, Vice President, The Tilchen Corporation, and Roxanne Ward, Vice President and Corporate Secretary, Ariel Investments, Chicago.

About SBLI USA and S-Women SBLI USA's focus on women is mirrored in its cultural representation. Women comprise 60 percent of the Company's board of directors, and 57 percent of its associates - 37 percent of whom serve in management roles, and women constitute more than 60 percent of the Company's new policy sales annually. As part of its commitment to women, the Company recently launched a women-centric microsite, www.sbliusa.com/women, dedicated solely to the financial education and empowerment of women, and has formed the first volunteer women's advisory board, S-women.

SBLI USA Mutual Life Insurance Company, Inc. is the parent company to SBLI USA Holdings, Inc., which owns subsidiary companies S.USA Life Insurance Company, Inc., and SBLI USA Diversified Services Company, Inc. is a subsidiary of SBLI USA Mutual Life Insurance Company, Inc. SBLI USA and its subsidiaries are licensed in 49 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. With more than $15 billion of insurance in force, $1.4 billion in assets, $111 million in surplus capital, 200 associates and over 300,000 policyholders, the company is committed to offering affordable, flexible and easy-to-access products through a variety of integrated channels, including direct mail, telemarketing, a bilingual Web site, licensed agents, and walk-in Customer Centers.