How far have women come since 1970 when the last volume of IFBPW history was published? Each one of us, no doubt, has a different answer to this question, depending on where we live, what we do, and the education we received. There are an infinite number of variables. However, most of us would agree that women have come a long way and are continuing to assert themselves more confidently in all sectors of society. At the time of writing this epilogue in 1995, women have access to previously unattainable positions and, indeed, we hear of more and more women who have managed to penetrate traditionally male-dominated domains. Furthermore, they have shown other women that it is possible to be successful without sacrificing their identities in an attempt to emulate their male counterparts. Empowerment brings with it the possibility of financial independence and the first step towards freedom of choice for many women and the start of real equality between the sexes. This book concludes with a report on the NGO Forum and United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women (1995 : Beijing) which promises fresh hopes for the advancement of women everywhere in the twenty-first century. As they have done over these many years, our members will continue to transform these hopes into reality so that future members and women in general will be able to benefit from their efforts. By the time the next volume of IFBPW's history is written, we will no longer refer to problems like violence, health education, equal pay and equal opportunities as women's issues but as matters for the attention of society in general: women and men will work together in partnership to create a better world for future generations. Livia Ricci, IFBPW President December 1995 Verona, Italy