WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- The Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) today announced its annual listing of America's Top Corporations for Women's Business Enterprises, the only national award honoring corporations for world-class programs that create level playing fields for women's business enterprises (WBEs) to compete for corporate contracts.

"Our Top Corporations are world-class leaders generating growth through partnerships with women's business enterprises," said Linda Denny, president and CEO of WBENC, the leading authority on and advocate for women's business enterprises as vendors and suppliers to the nation's leading corporations.  "This year we reached a record high of 21 Top Corporations selected for outstanding, enterprise-wide supplier diversity programs and measurable results."  

Top Corporations programs offer equal access and result in a high volume of business with women's business enterprises.  The 2009 Top Corporations for WBEs are:

The America's Top Corporations for Women's Business Enterprises Awards presentation will take place on Thursday, March 25, 2010, in the Benjamin Franklin Diplomatic Reception Room of the United States State Department in Washington, DC. The event will occur during WBENC's 2010 Summit and Salute to Women's Business Enterprise: The Opportunity Connection attracting over 1,000 and celebrating 14 Women's Business Enterprise Stars who are exemplary WBEs from across the country.  

Energy Future Holdings (formerly TXU Corp), UPS, and AT&T(1), including its predecessor companies, have been recognized by WBENC every year since the award was created eleven years ago. Avis Budget Group, Inc. and Chevron, including their predecessor companies, have each won the award ten times.  Office Depot and PepsiCo, Inc. have each won nine times; and Shell Oil Company has won eight times. IBM Corporation has won seven times. Pfizer and Verizon have won six times.  

WBENC also welcomes Ernst & Young LLP, Marriott International, Inc., Microsoft, and The Home Depot in their first year as Top Corporations.

"This expanding list demonstrates that best practices prevail in even the most challenging environments.  Our Top Corporations are the pillars of our economy by driving and standing behind their vital business partnerships with women's business enterprises," Denny said.

About Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC):

About WBENC: The Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) is the leading advocate for, and authority on, Women's Business Enterprises (WBEs) as suppliers and vendors to the nation's corporations. Founded in 1997, WBENC is also the nation's leading third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women, with WBENC certification accepted by more than 1,000 corporations, representing America's most prestigious brands. Throughout the year, WBENC is supported by 14 Regional Partner Organizations (RPOs), which administer and process WBENC's Gold Standard Certification, provide regional matchmaking programs, and deliver capacity development training to women owned businesses. WBENC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that seeks and accepts donations from corporations, foundations and individuals that support its mission and programs.  For more information, please go to www.wbenc.org.

(1) AT&T Inc., formerly SBC Communications Inc., has won this award every year since its inception.  AT&T Corp, which was acquired by SBC in late 2005, also was a multiyear winner.  BellSouth Corporation, acquired by AT&T Inc. in late 2006, has also won the award in past years.

SOURCE Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)

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