NAWBO Chicago Advocacy Committee
The NAWBO Chicago Advocacy Committee seeks to support local, state and federal advocacy efforts on behalf of our members. NAWBO Chicago currently serves Chicagoland, southeast Wisconsin and northwest Indiana. Our commitment to Advocacy runs deep, and it is what sets us apart from other women’s business organizations.
The committee works alongside NAWBO National Advocacy and the SBAC to stay informed on the current conversations around small business policy. Results from our Chapter’s 2022 Advocacy Survey are also central to the committee’s efforts. The committee works alongside NAWBO National Advocacy and the SBAC to stay informed on the current conversations around small business policy. Results from our Chapter’s 2022 Advocacy Survey are also central to the committee’s efforts. Download an overview of the 2022 Advocacy Survey results here.
Visit our Get Involved page frequently for upcoming events, information about local and national policy efforts and action items.
Bipartisan Advocacy
NAWBO members are diverse in many ways, including the size of their business, the sector they serve in, the stage of business development, and personal politics. The NAWBO Advocacy agenda embodies the ever-present need to create both the avenue and environment to build sustainable women-owned businesses.
NAWBO advocates on behalf of women business owners, regardless of political affiliation, encouraging and supporting bipartisan legislation focused on building and strengthening a sustainable business economy. For NAWBO to endorse specific legislation, the legislation must go through a litmus test. NAWBO endorses bipartisan legislation that builds coalitions, is backed up by data, and advances the business community. Have more questions about Advocacy? Check out our Advocacy FAQ.
NAWBO National Advocacy Days
Each year, NAWBO National hosts an Advocacy Day to encourage NAWBO members to be involved in the democratic process at all levels of government. NAWBO Chicago offers opportunities to learn about local issues, policies and candidates that affect our professional lives. Together, we work with Congress and the Administration on issues relating to and impacting women business owners.
Get Involved!
Please join us on the first Friday of each month on Zoom from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm to learn about current issues and policy work impacting our professional lives, and what you can do to help effect change. Together we can make a difference!
Email committee co-chairs Cathie Van Wert at cathie@doubletakedesign.com and Melissa McAtee at melissa@elbecreativepartners.com for more information, to visit a virtual meeting, or to join our committee.