The Rohm and Haas Phoebe Waterman Haas Award Recognizes Outstanding Woman Leaders

John C. Haas, former Chairman of Rohm and Haas Company (NYSE:ROH), awarded Cathie Markham with the first-ever Phoebe Waterman Haas Award, The Americas, yesterday. Ms. Markham is vice president Technology for CMP Technologies and Chief Technology Officer for the company’s Electronic Materials business. The Phoebe Waterman Haas Award is presented to women within the company who exemplify the characteristics of outstanding leadership and serve as a role model in developing and mentoring employees and whose impact is broad – beyond their function and may extend into the community. Ms. Markham shares this award, with two other colleagues: Sabine Hinterkeuser-Freye, Financial Manager, Switzerland, and ER Costing – Morges in the European region and Donna Huang, Shared Service Center Manager - Shanghai China Research Development Center in the Asia-Pacific and region. "I’m honored to be among the first recipients of this award. I’m particularly glad to see that Rohm and Haas recognizes the importance of mentorship – the softer side of the organization. Staying accessible to the organization and taking the time to provide guidance and support are critical to me, but I admit some days I do not hit the mark,” Ms. Markham said. Ms. Markham was nominated for the award by a colleague who wrote, "Cathie is very effective using humor in her conversations which puts the recipient at ease. As busy as Cathie is, I feel like she takes time out of her busy schedule to get right back to me. I respect and try to emulate Cathie’s demeanor in which she takes her profession seriously, but not herself too seriously.” "The Phoebe Waterman Haas Award is another way in which Rohm and Haas Company demonstrates its value for talent, leadership and diversity. It is important for us to recognize differences in leadership styles and approaches. Cathy Markham is a great example of a leader who invests in her employees and other women within the Rohm and Haas community. She recognizes the importance of developing talent to ensure a healthy pipeline of diverse talent for years to come,” Stacey B. Adams, Rohm and Haas Company Global Diversity Director said. More than 50 women were nominated for the award. Ms. Markham will receive a small gift and a $2500 grant towards a non-profit or educational institution of her choice, in addition to being honored at a special luncheon. This award was developed in honor of Mrs. Phoebe Waterman Haas, born in 1882. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree and then went on to get a Masters of Arts degree from Vassar in 1906. She traveled and worked for several years before being accepted for graduate studies in Astronomy at the University of California – Berkley. She was the first woman to receive a doctorate in Astronomy in 1913. During her five-year working career in Astronomy, she met Mr. Otto Haas on a trip to Buenos Aires. They were married in 1914. She went on to become the mother of two sons, Fritz Otto and John. Her love for astronomy continued even after motherhood. She was an active observer, volunteer, and benefactor for the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO). "Mrs. Haas was a woman before her time in her choice of continuing education in the sciences and her efforts to foster her scientific interest in the community while balancing her most important role as a mother. She is a role model to women even in the 21st century,” Adams said. About Rohm and Haas Company Leading the way since 1909, Rohm and Haas is a global pioneer in the creation and development of innovative technologies and solutions for the specialty materials industry. The company’s technologies are found in a wide range of markets including: Building and Construction, Electronics, Food and Retail, Household and Personal Care, Industrial Process, Packaging, Paper, Transportation and Water. Our innovative technologies and solutions help to improve life everyday, around the world. Based in Philadelphia, PA, the company generated annual sales of approximately $8.2 billion in 2006. Visit www.rohmhaas.com for more information. imagine the possibilities™