The greatest challenge women business owners face is being taken seriously, proving they are personally and professionally capable and credible in a male-dominated business atmosphere.
The problem is exemplified in the struggle women business owners face to obtain contracts from government entities and corporations as well as their struggle for access to capital to grow or expand their firms.
So-called “affirmative action” programs have helped women and minorities by leveling the playing field, opening up some of the barriers to success. Unfortunately, rumors persist that the Illinois legislature and state Sen. Walter Dudycz (R-Chicago) may reintroduce a bill to end affirmative action programs. We believe this would be a grave mistake, and we have sent letters to the leaders in the legislature, urging them not to allow passage of such legislation.
How can we achieve fairness for women- and minority-owned firms? It is an important question, given that, in 1994, only 1.4 percent of all government procurement contracts over $25,000 went to women. Also, two out of three women business owners express having difficulty accessing capital, according to research by the National Foundation for Women Business Owners. Meanwhile, women-owned businesses employ one of every four U.S. company workers and contribute $2.3 trillion in sales to the U.S. economy.
Elected officials need to know that women business owners will not take lightly any move to eliminate programs that have helped women- and minority-owned businesses.
