Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Named Among the '50 Best Companies for Latinas'

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Aug. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. announced today that the company has been named as one of the "50 Best Companies for Latinas" by LATINA Style Magazine for the second year in a row. Wal-Mart was honored for its continued commitment to provide the best career opportunities for Latinas. LATINA Style Magazine selected Wal-Mart after surveying more than 800 U.S. corporations on their recruitment and procurement policies, employee benefits and advancement opportunities for women, particularly Latinas.

"As a leading employer of minorities, we understand the importance of having a multicultural workforce at all levels, and appreciate the meaningful contributions Latinas bring to our company," said Esther Silver-Parker, senior vice president, Diversity Relations, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. "Our diverse associates enable us to remain relevant to our customers and better serve our communities. We are proud to be recognized by LATINA Style for a second year in a row, and we are inspired to do even more to provide career opportunities for Hispanics, while supporting and encouraging diversity within our company and in the communities we serve."

Wal-Mart's ongoing commitment to the Hispanic community is exhibited internally and externally. Wal-Mart, with more than 154,000 Hispanic associates, is the largest employer of Hispanics and continues to encourage diverse leadership, beginning with its board of directors. Currently, the company's 14-member board includes two Hispanics, which include Aida Alvarez, former cabinet member in President William Clinton's Administration, and Roland Hernandez, retired chairman of Telemundo Group.

"Through its actions, Wal-Mart continues to demonstrate the opportunities that exist for Latinas from the store front to the boardroom," said Robert Bard, publisher of LATINA Style. "We honor Wal-Mart for its commitment to providing career opportunities and for promoting Latinas throughout the system."

The publication unveiled its 2007 LATINA Style 50-a prestigious analysis of corporate America's efforts to promote diversity and provide career advancement opportunities for Hispanic women in Washington, D.C. Wal-Mart and other selected companies are featured in the August issue of LATINA Style. In addition, the companies will be honored for their diversity efforts and achievements during the LATINA Style Diversity Leaders Conference and Awards Ceremony in February 2008 in Washington, D.C.

Wal-Mart's commitment to the Hispanic community allows the company to be a neighbor of choice, donating more than $270 million in 2006 to organizations, such as the National Latina Leadership Institute, MANA, LULAC, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund and the National Council of La Raza, among many others. Wal-Mart also partners with thousands of Hispanic-owned businesses and purchased more than $1.4 billion of products and services from these suppliers in 2006.

About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Every week, millions of customers visit Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam's Club locations across America or log on to its online store at http://www.walmart.com. The company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Wal-Mart is proud to support the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $270 million to local communities in the United States. To learn more, visit http://www.walmartfacts.com/, http://www.walmartstores.com/, or http://www.walmartfoundation.org/.

About LATINA Style Magazine

LATINA Style Magazine has become the most influential publication reaching the contemporary Hispanic woman. The LATINA Style 50 Report, a comprehensive annual study of the fifty best companies for Latinas to work for in the United States, is the most respected evaluation of corporate America's policies and practices as they relate to Latinas in this country. With nearly 1,000 companies surveyed, the report is the most serious attempt to identify the companies that provide the best career opportunities for Latinas in our country. To learn more visit http://www.latinastyle.com/.