Women nationwide will celebrate the tenth annual National Women’s Friendship Day on Sunday, September 21. Created by Kappa Delta Sorority for women everywhere, this special day provides an opportunity for women to recognize those friends who make a difference in their lives.

“Our main goal is to encourage women to recognize the value of female friendship, something that is often taken for granted,” said Melanie Schild, Executive Director of Kappa Delta Sorority, the creator of the holiday. “For this 10th anniversary of the day, we encourage women to celebrate the entire month of September.”

In a recent survey, conducted by Pepperidge Farm, almost four in five (79 percent) of women don’t think that female friendships are as close today as they were a generation or two ago. (See complete survey results at www.artofthecookie.com.) National Women’s Friendship Day reminds women of the importance of cultivating friendships with other women.

Recognizing the value of women’s friendships, many corporate sponsors have signed on to support the day, including Avon’s mark® cosmetics, Maidenform®, and Women For Hire®, Vera Bradley®, Barefoot Parties®, My Charmed Life®, and more. Several women’s organizations help promote the day as well, including Girl Scouts of the USA®, Gilda's Club North Texas®, and the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame®.

To date, governors of 33 states (including Alabama. Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wyoming) have signed proclamations endorsing the third Sunday in September as National Women’s Friendship Day. A Congressional resolution (H. CONN. RES. 205) sponsored by Rep. Steve Cohen (TN-9) is awaiting approval by the House.

Alpha Chi chapter of Kappa Delta Sorority at Louisiana Tech University will host a Movie Night on September 19, 2008 at 6pm in the Tonk on Louisiana Tech University’s campus in honor of National Women’s Friendship Day. A romantic comedy will be shown and there will be refreshments. All of the women faculty, staff, and students are invited to attend.

For more information on National Women’s Friendship Day call 800/536-1897, or visit the official Web site at www.womensfriendshipday.com. While there, enter a contest to win a free tote bag filled with goodies from some of the sponsors.