Updates From National

Announcement from Headquarters
The NAWBO National fax number has changed to 202-403-3788 for membership applications and credit card payments. Please make note of it.

Go for the Greens
More than 150 business owners joined NAWBO in pursuit of the three "Gs"—Growth, Golf and Global Good—at the second annual Go for the Greens, a two-day event at Disney's Resort on September 10-12, 2009. This business development conference designed especially for women entrepreneurs included procurement, matchmaking and educational sessions, along with a golf tournament for players of all levels and best practices on sustainable business. NAWBO’s National Chair Wendy Lopez and President and CEO Helen Han were also in attendance.

NAWBO Day in Pittsburgh
On October 2nd, NAWBO Pittsburgh celebrated its third annual NAWBO Day with National Chair Wendy Lopez. There, Ana Harvey, Assistant Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, spoke about the important role women business owners play in our economy. During her speech, she gave NAWBO great credit for playing a key role in the establishment of the Office of Women’s Business Ownership and the Women’s Business Center Program.

“NAWBO continues to be not only an incredibly strong advocate for women entrepreneurs but a remarkable resource for you as well,” she said. “The women that NAWBO has helped know this—and they show us that we need to think outside the box when thinking about the next great small business.”

NAWBO Leaders Attend 2009 Women’s Business Health Care Summit
The discussion around health care reform has never been greater. On September 30th, NAWBO leaders participated in the National Women’s Business Council Summit. NAWBO Chair-Elect Kelly Scanlon, who is currently Chair of NAWBO’s Public Policy Committee, and Immediate Past Chair Cynthia McClain-Hill, who is Chair of NAWBO’s Political Action Committee, both attended. They were joined by NAWBO Lobbyist Dr. Christine Warnke, senior governmental affairs advisor for Hogan & Hartson and current Board Member Deborah Stallings.

The morning featured a discussion from a panel of health experts. It was followed by a health care policy panel featuring “health care policy experts” including Bridget DeHart from the office of Congresswoman Yvette Clarke and Ann Sullivan, WIPP’s lobbyist.

In the afternoon, attendees participated in breakout sessions where members of the NWBC facilitated discussions of the four principles of health care reform in an effort to reach consensus about recommendations to make in the areas of:

1) Accessibility

2) Affordability

3) Wellness

4) Portability

Submit Your Articles to NAWBO Focus
NAWBO’s new publication, NAWBO Focus, gives NAWBO stakeholders and the community at large an in-depth look at issues of great importance to the NAWBO community and women business owners nationwide. We’re now accepting expert articles. Click here for our editorial calendar.

New Study Confirms Women's Impact on the U.S. Economy
Women-owned businesses contribute nearly $3 trillion to the U.S. economy and create or maintain 2 million jobs according to research released earlier this month from the Center for Women's Business Research. Read more here.