In 1975, there were no business organizations with membership open to women entrepreneurs, so a dozen trailblazing women business owners in Washington, D.C. got together and created one. Their vision and legacy led to today’s NAWBO, which recently celebrated its 45th birthday during a weeklong birthday party complete with memories, activities and even gifts—THANK YOU again for your generosity!
Over the years since NAWBO’s founding, other incredibly smart and talented women have stepped up to continue this important vision and legacy, including our current National and chapter leaders. We see a need, we use our #NAWBOVoice and we create the resources and solutions that help women business owners grow and scale their businesses—even during unprecedented times like we are now facing.
We have attended White House Conferences on Small Business and testified before the House and Senate. We were a driving force behind the passage of H.R. 5050, the Women’s Business Ownership Act that eliminated discriminatory lending practices by banks that favored male business owners. We have had past national chairs inducted into the Women’s Hall of Fame, and have sent global delegations of women entrepreneurs around the world to support other women who don’t have access to the same opportunities. Click here to read about these and other milestones along our amazing journey
In this issue of NAWBO ONE, we have a video recap of NAWBO’s 45th birthday, so be sure to watch it! During the celebration, it was so touching to listen as NAWBO leaders and members shared their favorite NAWBO memories—from meeting other amazing women, to supporting one another through times of business and personal hardship, to just making each other feel welcomed, embraced, believed in and inspired. I loved hearing each and every story, because they all add up to the NAWBO experience we are all so fortunate to be part of today.
In fact, one thing that consistently came up as we shared memories was the National Women’s Business Conference (WBC) hosted by NAWBO. There’s something so special about hundreds of women coming together to connect, be inspired, learn and grow. This year, our WBC is virtual due to recommendations regarding large gatherings, so we’ll be coming together in a different way using today’s latest technologies. While I will miss seeing all of you in person, I’m so excited about the possibility of even more of you having access to this life-changing experience. Read about it in this issue NAWBO ONE or click here to learn more now.
Our 45th birthday celebration will culminate at this year’s WBC. I hope you will join me as we wrap up all the fun, but more importantly, set the stage for each of us to continue the important vision and legacy of our NAWBO founding sisters as we move forward into the future together.
