Firms Honored for Advancing Women

ACCOUNTING firm Deloitte & Touche LLP, The Dow Chemical Company, and J.C. Penney Company are winners of the 1995 Catalyst Award for innovative initiatives that have advanced women into senior management.

``The 1995 Catalyst Award winners share a striking similarity: a real understanding of the bottom-line business motivations for tapping women's talents,'' president Sheila Wellington states. Catalyst is a New York-based nonprofit research-advocacy group for women in business. The award is in its 20th year.

The companies were recognized for the following programs:

* Deloitte & Touche introduced its women's initiative in 1992, focusing on changing the environment. It has seen an increase in women at all management levels, including a 30 percent increase in female partners.

* Dow's diversity efforts incorporate manager accountability for women's advancement and track high-potential women; another program focuses on relocating dual-career couples.

* J.C. Penney created a women's advisory team. As a result, women represent 60 percent of entry-level managers; 25 percent of mid-level managers; and 13 percent of senior managers.