PASADENA, Calif. – Wescom Credit Union is promoting empowerment by offering 25 scholarships for local high school students to attend Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) Latina History Day Conference. Scheduled for Friday, March 12, 2004 HOPE's 13th Annual Women's Conference, "Latina History Day, A Proud Past.A Powerful Tomorrow", features a tribute to the contributions of Latina city commissioners. In addition, the conference offers attendees a series of workshops and a lunchtime program aimed at empowerment and leadership. Women will learn how to overcome obstacles, set achievable goals, and understand the value of higher education. Along with providing scholarships, Wescom CU is an official sponsor of the conference, and two of its Latina executives are scheduled workshop panelists. Wescom CU Vice President of Business and Government Affairs, and HOPE Planning Committee member Yesceni Ramirez is a scheduled panelist for "Home Sweet Home," a workshop that focuses on women purchasing a home on their own and Wescom Financial Services Vice President Connie Knox is a panelist for "Investing In Your Future: How Money Can Buy Freedom, Flexibility, and Independence." "Making this invaluable conference available to local students through the offices of our local elected officials is another example of Wescom's ongoing support of the communities we serve," said Ramirez." This marks the third year we've done this and the feedback I have heard from students is that the conference is an incredible experience for them. Being amongst Latina leaders from a variety of industries is very motivating to them." HOPE is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization committed to ensuring political and economic parity for Latinas through leadership, advocacy, and education for the benefit of all communities and to improve the status of women.