NAWBO was Founded on Advocacy

Feb 24, 2017

NAWBO was Founded on Advocacy

“Finding our voice as women business owners is the foundation of NAWBO on a national level and here in Chicago. Together, that voice is strong and clear. It’s all of us.”

Sue-Nawbo Found on Advocacy

Susan Dawson
President, NAWBO Chicago
Partner in Waltz, Palmer & Dawson LLC

 

Advocacy is one of NAWBO’s pillars. But what does it mean?
 

The word reminds me of something that was shared at NAWBO Chicago’s THRIVE Sept. 26, a day where one “wow” speaker after another took the stage. If you didn’t get a chance to attend, the event was fantastic. Closing out the day was keynoter Jan Fields, former CEO, McDonalds USA. She said: “Lift when you climb.”
 

A look back at NAWBO’s own roots paints a picture of women who did exactly that. Twelve entrepreneurs started NAWBO in 1975. They met in the D.C. area aiming to impact public policy. Their movement led to the successful adoption of the Women’s Business Ownership Act, also known as H.R. 5050, in 1988. Ronald Reagan signed the historic law that eliminated women business owners from having to have a male relative cosigner on a loan. Can you even imagine?
 

Fast forward to April 5, 2012 when President Obama signed the JOBS Act. Again, NAWBO played a critical role for women’s rights in business. We rallied and were heard. The law opened up opportunities for raising capital through crowdfunding, broadening the scope by which companies could advertise investment opportunities.
 

It has taken four years for the law to go into full effect with various parts launching at different times. As of May 16, 2016, the last component of it was made official. Check out the most up-to-date details regarding the JOBS Act on NAWBO’s website.

 

And here we are today, women business owners continuing our efforts to effect positive change as a nonpartisan group on both national and state levels. NAWBO has a fascinating history of advocating for women in business – by people who lifted as they climbed, as Jan pointed out.
 

At THRIVE, Suzanne Muchin, cofounder of Mind+Matter Studio, talked about the advantages of having what she called a “pointy” personality. Her comments, to me, circle back to our advocacy roots and future. She said: “When you hear something powerful (from someone), it’s what they stand for and what they reject.” She added later: “Searching for your voice is our life’s pursuit.”
 

Finding our voice as women business owners is the foundation of NAWBO on a national level and here in Chicago. Together, that voice is strong and clear. It’s all of us.

Melinda Gates has said: “A woman with a voice is by definition a strong woman. But the search to find that voice can be remarkably difficult.” That’s a powerful message for NAWBO’s advocacy platform. But just think – if one woman’s voice equals a strong woman, imagine what a group of women’s voices can do. As we continue NAWBO Chicago’s Year of You, we’ll be shaping up our own advocacy platform. Let’s continue to share what matters to us most.

More Stories

Member Spotlight – Confidence

As a woman business owner, what tips can you share that help you remain confident and focused amidst the various demands of female entrepreneurship? How do you navigate challenges without letting them shake your determination and repurpose those setbacks to your...

Message From Our President March 2024

I'm thrilled to kick off another exciting month as your chapter president! With each passing day, we draw nearer to the highly anticipated Women Mean Business®: NAWBO Chicago’s 41st Annual Achievement Luncheon & Regional Entrepreneurial Conference, slated for...

Member Spotlight – Talent

Employees are the backbone of businesses, particularly small businesses. A recent SCORE study shows that for small business owners, 60.7 percent rank hiring the right talent as their top challenge. Meanwhile, 62 percent say they struggle to keep employees engaged and...

Message From Our President – February 2024

As we enter the second month of the new year, I’m reminded of the goals and growth we aspire to as business owners for ourselves, our businesses, and our communities. To achieve our goals, we must have the confidence and tenacity to see them through.  Confidence is...

Member Spotlight – Growth

The new year is the perfect time to adopt a growth mindset where you believe that you – and anyone in your organization – can level up with a commitment to hard work and determination. How will you use growth to power all your dreams in 2024? Caroline ReneeFounder...

Message From Our President – January 2024

Happy New Year! As we usher in the promising possibilities of 2024, I am enthusiastic about the incredible journey we have ahead of us as a community. Growth, both personal and professional, is at the core of our mission as women entrepreneurs. It is the force that...

Member Spotlight – Reflect

Life as a woman business owner is incredibly busy, and there’s so much power in “the pause”. It’s an opportunity to identify what went well over the last year and consider how to replicate your successes in the future. It’s also a time to identify where you...

Message From Our President – December

Greetings and Happy Holidays My NAWBO Chicago Sisters: As we navigate the bustling landscape of both entrepreneurship AND the holidays, let’s recognize the significance of the pause. In our whirlwind of responsibilities, the power of reflection is a transformative...

Skip to content