FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The witty, irreverent former Texas Governor, Ann Richards, known for her straight-talking speeches, will talk on "Taking Charge of Your Health" on May 13 at a program sponsored by Healthy Women for a Lifetime, a coalition of more than 35 Arizona women's and health organizations. She will speak at 7 p.m. at the Phoenix Civic Plaza, 225 E. Adams. Lin Sue Cooney, anchor/reporter for KNPX-TV Channel 12, will emcee.

Eli Lilly and Company is sponsoring Richards' appearance, and a variety of groups are co-sponsoring the event, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona the Arizona Department of Health Services Office of Women and Children's Health, the Governor's Commission on the Health Status of Arizona Women and Families, John C. Lincoln Health Network, the Scottsdale Healthcare Women's Center, the Arizona chapter of the AARP, Mayo Clinic and Albertson's.

Richards is the author of the forthcoming book, "I'm Not Slowing Down: Winning My Battle with Osteoporosis."

Tickets for the evening ($20) are available from the Civic Plaza box office or at www.tickets.com . Proceeds will help the nonprofit
groups to continue and expand their health education programs for Arizona women.

Richards has had a long and colorful career in politics, beginning during her student years at the University of Texas at Austin, when
she volunteered in local and statewide campaigns. She has recalled that, at the time, "Texas was not noticeably hospitable to the notion that a woman could handle that kind of responsibility."

But the state apparently was hospitable to her, electing her treasurer and making her the first woman elected to statewide office in Texas
in 50 years. In 1988, Richards won national accolades and a new national following for her delivery of the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention. Two years later, she was elected governor of Texas. Though she was defeated in a re-election bid in 1994 by George W. Bush, she has remained not only one of Texas' favorite daughters, but also a sought-after national speaker.

Members of Healthy Women for a Lifetime who also are participating in sponsoring the evening include:

• Arthritis Foundation
• Arizona Osteoporosis Coalition
• Arizona Department of Health Services Healthy Aging 2010
• Arizona Cancer Center
• Bosom Buddies
• Business and Professional
• Women of Arizona
• Dairy Council of Arizona
• Governor's Division for Women
  
• Governor's Advisory Council on Aging
• Hadassah
• Hardt and Junck Associates,
  
• John C. Lincoln Health Network
• the National Breast Cancer Coalition
• Nurse and Health Ministries Network of Center D.O.A.R.,
• Mental Health AdvocatesCoalition of Arizona
• Phoenix Diocesan Council of Catholic Women
• The WellCare Foundation and the UofA.Cooperative Extension and Bone Builders.