Celebrating Women in the Workplace

On a recent Wednesday night, the Endless Vine was abuzz with professional women at all stages of their careers. The event: A wine tasting for Medco’s Women’s Network, an organization that empowers women in the workplace.

Medco, the nation’s largest mail-order pharmacy operation, is the largest employer in Franklin Lakes with 2,400 employees based at its campus on Parsons Pond Drive off Old Mill Road. Its Women’s Network was formed in 2002, by alumnae of the Women Unlimited Leadership development program that Medco has supported since 1994. 

“The Women’s Unlimited Alumnae Group (WUAG) recognized the benefits of expanding its reach and influence, and evolved into a full-fledged women's networking group dedicated to helping Medco’s female employees succeed in cultivating and maintaining business relationships,” explained Melissa Mackey, Public Affairs Manager for Medco and member of the Women’s Network.

Jane Hildebrandt, vice president of the network, noted that the group gives women a chance to get to know women in other divisions and see each other in different roles within the company.

“Women hold many different senior positions at Medco,” Hildebrandt told Patch. “I think it is important for women who may just be starting out in their careers to see the opportunities ahead of them. This groups helps to achieve that.” 

The Women’s Network is open to the general corporate female employee population at the Franklin Lakes office and provides participants with a full calendar of events such as special presentations, personal development opportunities and support of specific charitable causes. Each year, the Women’s Network sponsors teams in the Race for the Cure and the American Heart Walk.

"Since we are based in Franklin Lakes, we believe it is important to support local business," Mackey said of the location of the event. "We are a part of Franklin Lakes and feel its important to come out into the community."