AUSTIN-Environmental activist and founder of The Body Shop, Anita Roddick, will address the Austin community on Tues., Jan. 23, at 4 p.m. in the Jones Auditorium of the Ragsdale Center at St. Edward's University. Roddick's address will precede a forum featuring Austinês leading women entrepreneurs. The address and forum are free and open to the public. Following Roddick's address, she will host a book signing of her latest release Business As Unusual.

At 6 p.m., attendees will have the opportunity to participate with panelists made up of Austin's premier women entrepreneurs who will share their insight and experiences. Participants include: Carolyn Carlson, chief operating officer of Journþe Software; Mary Lochhead, partner with The Thompson Group; Robin Loving, principal of Communication Results, Kerry Tate, president of TateAustin; and Deborah Vollmer-Dahlke, chief operating office, president and co-founder of Zilliant. Kathy Warbelow, business editor of the Austin American-Statesman, will moderate the forum.

Fellow environmental activist Robin Rather, president of Mindwave Research and former board chair of Save Our Springs Alliance, will kick-off the activities.

Roddick's company, The Body Shop, is a values-driven, high-quality skin and hair care retailer operating in 49 countries with more than 1,700 outlets spanning 24 languages and 12 time zones. It is famous for creating a niche market sector for naturally-inspired skin and hair care products.

The Body Shop rapidly evolved from one small shop in Brighton, England, to a worldwide network of shops. The company's campaigns against human rights abuses, in favor of animal and environmental protection and its commitment to challenge the stereotypes of beauty perpetuated by the cosmetics industry, have won the support of a generation of consumers.

Schedule of Events

• 4 p.m. Address by Anita Roddick
• 5 p.m. Book signing and reception
• 6 p.m. Panel discussion

St. Edward's University is an independent, Catholic liberal arts university of 3,800 students in Austin. It was founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross.