NAWBO Strengthens Its Platform and Reach in DC With Recognition of Public Policy Leaders and MOU Signings

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwire - June 11, 2010) - The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) has long partnered with organizations that shape similar missions and visions and engaged with public policy decision makers to take strategic stands on and support issues impacting women business owners. This week while in Washington, DC for its annual Women's Business Conference, NAWBO took the opportunity to further both objectives -- strengthening its platform and reach for the future of the women's entrepreneurial community.

During a Thursday evening event on Capitol Hill, NAWBO and the Association of Women's Business Centers (AWBC) co-presented the inaugural Advocate Award to three women public policy leaders: Honorable Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives; Honorable Mary L. Landrieu, Chair, U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship; and Honorable Olympia J. Snowe, Ranking Member, U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship. Hundreds of women business owners, as well as an impressive list of elected officials, turned out to be a part of the event.

"The Advocate Award gives tribute and recognition to high profile women Congressional leaders who have worked on behalf of women-owned businesses and women's business centers to strengthen their wealth-creating capacity and promote economic development in the business community," says NAWBO President and CEO Helen Han. "We were honored that these high profile leaders joined us to receive these awards and look forward to our continued work with them."

Additionally, NAWBO held two Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremonies this week with key organizations -- one domestic and the other international. On Wednesday, NAWBO and AWBC participated in a ceremony, and on Thursday, NAWBO and La Asociación Mexicana de Mujeres Empresarias (AMMJE) signed MOUs to demonstrate their joint commitment to supporting and advancing the issues that are most important to the success of women business owners.

"This has been a historical Women's Business Conference from start to finish -- held in Washington, DC where our organization was founded 35 years ago," says NAWBO 2010-2011 Chair Kelly Scanlon. "It has strengthened NAWBO's policy reach, and we are looking forward to taking the next steps with these political and business leaders to create even more opportunities for women business owners."

About NAWBO
Founded in 1975, NAWBO propels women entrepreneurs into economic, social and political spheres of power worldwide. More than 35 years later, NAWBO is still the only organization that solely represents the interest of women entrepreneurs in all industries. The organization's mission is to strengthen the wealth-creating capacity of its members and promote economic development; to create innovative and effective change in the business culture; to build strategic alliances, coalitions and affiliations; and to transform public policy and influence opinion makers. To learn more about NAWBO, visit www.nawbo.org.