ANN INC. Makes Global Commitment to Women in Honor of International Women's Day

NEW YORK, March 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- This International Women's Day, ANN INC., the parent Company of Ann Taylor and LOFT, pledges to positively impact the lives of 100,000 women through its ResponsiblyANN corporate social responsibility initiative by 2018. As a Company dedicated to women, ANN INC. places critical importance on positively impacting women around the globe every day.

Through its new 100,000 Women Commitment, ANN INC. reaffirms its dedication to empowering women in its global supply chain community who make its beautiful products by providing in-factory health and financial education.

"As a Company that celebrates women, we are pleased to announce our ResponsiblyANN 100,000 Women Commitment and kick off a week-long celebration in honor of women around the world. At ANN INC., we live by our purpose of inspiring and connecting with women to help them put their best selves forward every day. We take these words seriously and are very proud to be the first U.S.-based women's specialty retailer to sign the Women's Empowerment Principles," said Kay Krill, President and CEO of ANN INC.

To celebrate this pledge and to recognize the achievements of women globally, the Company will host and participate in a week of inspiring activities and initiatives leading up to International Women's Day on March 8.

On March 4 and 5, ANN INC. will join the International Women's Day Forum, "Turning Inspiration into Action: Next Steps for the Private Sector to Empower Women Globally," hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce at the United Nations.  Coming off the heels of the Forum, ANN INC. will become the first U.S.-based women's specialty retailer to support the Women's Empowerment Principles, a joint initiative of UN Women and the UN Global Compact, which provides guidance to businesses on how to empower women in the workplace, marketplace and community.

On March 6, ANN INC. will host a summit to discuss the global impact of breast cancer with longtime partner, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). With over 4,600 women diagnosed with breast cancer daily, the Company is honored to support BCRF in its lifesaving work around the world.

Ann Taylor will show support of International Women's Day through a series of activities and events.   On Saturday, March 8, Ann Taylor and Glamour magazine will host an in-store event at Ann Taylor's New York City Flagship at 645 Madison Avenue featuring a panel discussion with Christy Turlington Burns, founder of Every Mother Counts, and Barbara Bush, CEO and co-founder of Global Health Corps, moderated by Genevieve Roth, Glamour's Special Projects Director. The panel discussion will be streamed live via YouTube.com/AnnTaylorStyle beginning at 2:00 pm EST.  On that day, Ann Taylor will offer clients a limited edition ResponsiblyANN bracelet as a gift with purchase in all stores across the U.S. and Canada. This special gift is a symbol of Ann Taylor's dedication to the modern women who inspire the brand every day and are committed to positively impacting women around the globe.

On March 8, LOFT will invite its clients and associates to participate in the Company's locally sponsored 2014 Vital Voices Global Mentoring Walks taking place in three major U.S. cities:  Seattle, San Francisco, and Washington, DC.   Volunteer Mentors and Mentees will walk and share their  experience and wisdom , forging supportive bonds that can help launch a new generation of leaders.

Additionally, the Company is encouraging associates and clients alike to celebrate International Women's Day by using #ANNFORWOMEN to thank women who have inspired them.  ANN INC. will kick-off this call-to-action at an "hour of power" event at its corporate offices, serving as a moment in time for all associates to honor and celebrate women around the world, including those closest to them. 

To learn more about ANN INC.'s charitable and corporate social responsibility efforts, visit ResponsiblyANN.com.

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 North America.  As of November 2, 2013, the Company operated 1,027 Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Factory, LOFT and LOFT Outlet stores in 47 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Canada.  Our Ann Taylor and LOFT brands are also available online in more than 100 countries worldwide at AnnTaylor.com and LOFT.com.  Visit ANNINC.com for more information (NYSE: ANN).

About ResponsiblyANN 100,000 Women Commitment
At ANN INC., our commitment to women is the common thread that extends through everything we do. Through ResponsiblyANN, our Corporate Social Responsibility program, we commit to operating our business with purpose and creating a better world for our global community of women.  Through our latest ResponsiblyANN commitment, we're dedicated to empowering 100,000 women in our global supply chain community who make our beautiful products. Health and financial training programs will be deployed over the next five years through a strategic partnership with the HER Project, a program managed by BSR, the global sustainable business network and consultancy. By providing health and financial education, we're giving women all over the world the opportunity to reach their full potential. It's our commitment. It's her future.

SOURCE ANN INC.