***MEDIA ADVISORY***
September 18, 2003

HEARING TO DETERMINE CLASS ACTION CERTIFICATION IN WAL-MART SEX DISCRIMINATION CASE SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 24th

San Francisco, CA. - On September 24, 2003, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California will hear the parties to Dukes, et al. v.Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.(Civ. 01-2252) argue whether the case should be certified as a class action. The plaintiffs allege that they have been systematically denied promotional opportunities because of their gender and compensated less than men performing the same work. Certification would permit the case to go to trial on behalf of nearly 1.6 million women who worked in Wal-Mart stores in the United States at any time since December 26, 1998. The case would be the largest civil rights class action case in history. A half-day hearing is scheduled. For additional information on the case go to www.walmartclass.com.

WHEN: Wednesday, September 24th -- 9:30 A.M. (PST)
WHERE: United States Court House, courtroom 11 450 Golden Gate Ave. San Francisco
WHO: Brad Seligman of Berkeley, CA's The Impact Fund and Joseph Sellers of Cohen, Milstein, Hausfeld & Toll, Washington, D.C. will present plaintiffs' argument. The plaintiffs' legal team includes:

The Impact Fund (Berkeley) (510) 845-3473
Cohen, Milstein, Hausfeld & Toll (Washington,D.C.) (202) 408-4600
Equal Rights Advocates (SF) (415) 621-0672
Davis, Cowell & Bowe (SF) (415) 597-7200
Public Justice Center (Balt.Md) (410) 625-9409
Tinkler & Bennett (Santa Fe) (505) 986-0269

For the press: Representative plaintiffs and their lawyers will be available for comment immediately following the hearing. For specific questions/interviews - contact Deborah Schwartz 240 355-8838