The National Women’s Business Council (NWBC) is honored to present the 2024 Annual Report, which captures engagement opportunities, research initiatives, and notable legislation the Council connected with over the past year. This year, NWBC remained focused on access to capital and opportunity, and shifted to include a focus on inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems.
This report features policy recommendations, targeted policy levers, and numerous key resources to support women business owners and entrepreneurs. It also highlights ongoing research surrounding women’s STEM entrepreneurship, woman-business owner trends by age, and more. We are proud to share these recommendations with the White House, Congress, and the Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The National Women’s Business Council (NWBC) is honored to present the NWBC 2023 Annual Report, which captures all of the engagement opportunities, research initiatives, notable legislation and resiliency resources the Council connected with over the past year. As always, the highlight of the report is the rich and in-depth policy recommendations section. In 2024, NWBC remained focused on access to capital and opportunity and women in STEM, though broadened its view on rural women’s entrepreneurship to bring more women to the table by shifting to prioritizing inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems. The 2023 Annual Report not only features tailored recommendations and targeted policy levers to make an impact in the areas above, but also uplifts stories from key voices in women’s entrepreneurship. We are proud to be able to share these recommendations with the White House, Congress, and the Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The Women’s Business Ownership Act of 1988, PL 100-533, was signed into law by President Reagon on October 25, 1988. This landmark legislation was the result of many hearings held by the House Small Business Committee, under the leadership of Rep. John LaFalce, designed to examine the status of women business owners and their role in our nation’s economy.
Testimony at those hearings helped to define the problems and suggest some solutions to the pressing issues facing women business owners. A number of significant new programs and changes in law were implemented with the passage of PL 100-533.
National Women’s Business Council 1990 Annual Report to the President and Congress
National Women’s Business Council 1991 Annual Report to the President and Congress.
National Women’s Business Council 1992 Annual Report to the President and Congress
National Women’s Business Council 1993 Annual Report to the President and Congress.
National Women’s Business Council 1994 Annual Report to the President and Congress.
My colleagues and I are pleased to have worked closely this past year with the Interagency Committee on Women’s Business Enterprise.
The partnership which the National Women’s Business Council has enjoyed with our Administration colleagues on the Interagency Committee on Women’s Business Enterprise is the foundation for the greater involvement that we envision for women entrepreneurs in setting the economic agenda for the nation.
Our economy has been revitalized in good measure because of the participation and contributions of women business owners. The new Census data describe an inexorable wave of women entrepreneurs that are changing the face of the economy.
In starting and growing our businesses we are not only adding significantly to the GDP. Women have fashioned a business model that is flexible, streamlined, and “friendly.” This model is shaping the character of the new economy, as well as the changing workforce. Our challenges now include making financial institutions, policymakers, and others who hold the keys to opportunity, aware of the enormous contribution women-owned businesses make to the economy. We must also make women aware of the opportunities available through business ownership -and assist women in gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to grow their businesses successfully.
The report describes partnerships that have already been forged and point the way to future collaborations. The efforts of women business owners can be greatly leveraged by those in government who shape economic policy.
It is an honor to serve and work with the Interagency Committee on Women’s Business Enterprise. We look forward to working with the Administration and the Congress to transform the good ideas and progress reflected in this report into new opportunities for women entrepreneurs.
Faithfully,
Lillian Vernon
Chair, National Women’s Business Council Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, Lillian Vernon Corporation