The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce was founded in 2001 to increase economic growth opportunities for women. As the only national organization of its kind, the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce works in concert with its over 500,000 members, national and local association partners, and key influencers to open doors for women business owners and career professionals.[1]
Key areas of focus for the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce include: access to government contracting markets, access to capital for business start-up and growth, access to political office, access to education, and access to career promotions. In each area, the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce works towards integrating women into the mainstream and providing access to economic advancement.
Historyedit
In 2005, the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce won a lawsuit against the U.S. Small Business Administration for failure to implement a law passed in 2000 to provide a targeted set-aside program for women-owned businesses seeking federal contracts.[2] This set-aside was established to help end the disparity in contracting faced by women.[citation needed] Even though women own nearly 30 percent of all businesses in the United States,[3] in 2007 they received only 3.41% of federal contracts.[4]
In 2007, the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce filed an amicus brief in support of the women's class action suit against Walmart.[5]
In 2008, Margot Dorfman, CEO of the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce, provided testimony before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pension in support of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009.[6] Her testimony was cited by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) as follows:[7]
As the executive director of the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce recently noted, "The Fair Pay Restoration Act rewards those who play fair—including women business owners—unlike the Supreme Court's decision, which seems to give an unfair advantage to those who skirt the rules." This legislation will encourage all corporations to treat their employees fairly.
Leaders and members of the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce are regularly called upon to testify before Congress on small business and economic issues.[8][9][10]
On June 30, 2011, the Small Business Administration accepted the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce as an approved Third Party Certifier for the Women-Owned Small Business Contracting Program.[11] To further opportunities for women-owned small business federal contractors, the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce established the WOSB National Council.[12]
In 2014, the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce established the I Vote for Women.org website[13] to support the election of candidates supporting the chamber's women's economic priorities.[14]
On September 11, 2014, the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce filed an amici curiae in support of Peggy Young for her case before the Supreme Court, Young v. UPS No. 12-1226, detailing the economic impact of women in the workforce.[15]
On December 3, 2015, the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce announced their first ever presidential endorsement as they endorsed Secretary Hillary Clinton for the 2016 U.S. Presidential race. The chamber stated that the leadership examined the organization’s priorities along with the history, capability, commitments and electability of current presidential candidates in making the selection.[16]
Association Membersedit
The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce maintains a broad assortment of partners and association members including regional, national, and international organizations.
Alaska 8(a) Association
Arizona Small Business Association
Arizona Women Business Builders
Asian Women in Business
Association for Small Business and Technology
Association for Women in Architecture
Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers
Association of Small Business Development Centers
Association of Women Contractors
Business Women's Network of Howard County
Catalyst Women
Charo Community Development Corporation
Community Physical Therapists
Dress for Success - Washington DC
Financial Women International
Fort Worth Business Assistance Center
Girls in Government
Greater Cincinnati Women's Network
Hispanic Women's Corporation
Insight Center for Community Economic Development
Institute for Women's Policy Research
Latin Business Association
Michigan Association of Female Executives
National Association of Women in Construction
Minority/Women Business Enterprise Alliance, Inc.
National Center for American Indian Enterprise
National Center for Small Business Information
National Procurement Council
National Women's Political Caucus
Nebraska Women's Commission
New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners
Peninsula Tidewater Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Professional Businesswomen of California
Professional Women in Construction
San Antonio Women's Chamber of Commerce
Society of Government Travel Professionals
Soroptimist International of the Americas
Tennessee Economic Council on Women
United for the Advancement of Women in the Construction Industry
University of Georgia SBDC
Women & Girls Foundation of SW PA
Women Business Owners of Montgomery County
Women Business Owners of Prince George's County
Women's Automotive Association International
Women's Business Council Gulf Coast
Women's Campaign Fund
Women's Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach City
Women's Sports Foundation
Referencesedit
^"U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 2009-04-25.
^Williams, Terry (January 2004). "Women Business Owners Blocked from Fair Access to Federal Contracts". Report to Congress(PDF). p. 39. Retrieved 2009-04-25. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)[permanent dead link]
^. U.S. Census. 2009-04-03. Archived from the original on 2009-04-18. Retrieved 2009-04-25.
^Burton, Mark; Jennifer Brown; Gillian Thomas; Jeffrey Bramlett; Michael Terry; Tiana Mykkeltvedt; Margot Dorfman (2007-03-27). (PDF). Impact Fund: Strategic Litigation for Social Justice: 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-26. Retrieved 2009-04-25.
^Dorfman, Margot (2008-01-24). "Testimony of the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce". The Fair Pay Restoration Act: Ensuring Reasonable Rules in Pay Discrimination Cases(PDF). Washington, DC: Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. p. 5. Retrieved 2009-04-25.[permanent dead link]
^"United States Senate, Congressional Record: LILLY LEDBETTER FAIR PAY ACT OF 2009--MOTION TO PROCEED". GovTrack.us. 2009-01-15. Retrieved 2009-04-25.[permanent dead link]
^Dorfman, Margot (2009-01-14). "The State of the Small Business Economy and Identifying Policies to Promote an Economic Recovery" (PDF). United States House Committee on Small Business. Retrieved 2009-04-25.
^Dorfman, Margot (2009-02-11). "The State of SBA's Entrepreneurial Development Programs and Their Role in Promoting an Economic Recovery" (PDF). United States House Committee on Small Business. Retrieved 2009-04-25.
^U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce named 3rd Party Certifier for WOSB/EDWOSB Program by U.S. Small Business Administration
^WOSB National Council established by U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce
^I Vote for Women established by U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce
^Women's Economic Priorities as established by U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce
^U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce amici curiae Young v. UPS
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This article relies excessively on references to primary sources Please improve this article by adding secondary or tertiary sources Find sources U S Women s Chamber of Commerce news newspapers books scholar JSTOR April 2022 Learn how and when to remove this template message The U S Women s Chamber of Commerce was founded in 2001 to increase economic growth opportunities for women As the only national organization of its kind the U S Women s Chamber of Commerce works in concert with its over 500 000 members national and local association partners and key influencers to open doors for women business owners and career professionals 1 Contents 1 Focus 2 History 3 Association Members 4 References 5 External linksFocus editKey areas of focus for the U S Women s Chamber of Commerce include access to government contracting markets access to capital for business start up and growth access to political office access to education and access to career promotions In each area the U S Women s Chamber of Commerce works towards integrating women into the mainstream and providing access to economic advancement History editIn 2005 the U S Women s Chamber of Commerce won a lawsuit against the U S Small Business Administration for failure to implement a law passed in 2000 to provide a targeted set aside program for women owned businesses seeking federal contracts 2 This set aside was established to help end the disparity in contracting faced by women citation needed Even though women own nearly 30 percent of all businesses in the United States 3 in 2007 they received only 3 41 of federal contracts 4 In 2007 the U S Women s Chamber of Commerce filed an amicus brief in support of the women s class action suit against Walmart 5 In 2008 Margot Dorfman CEO of the U S Women s Chamber of Commerce provided testimony before the Senate Committee on Health Education Labor and Pension in support of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 6 Her testimony was cited by Sen Patrick Leahy D VT as follows 7 As the executive director of the U S Women s Chamber of Commerce recently noted The Fair Pay Restoration Act rewards those who play fair including women business owners unlike the Supreme Court s decision which seems to give an unfair advantage to those who skirt the rules This legislation will encourage all corporations to treat their employees fairly Leaders and members of the U S Women s Chamber of Commerce are regularly called upon to testify before Congress on small business and economic issues 8 9 10 On June 30 2011 the Small Business Administration accepted the U S Women s Chamber of Commerce as an approved Third Party Certifier for the Women Owned Small Business Contracting Program 11 To further opportunities for women owned small business federal contractors the U S Women s Chamber of Commerce established the WOSB National Council 12 In 2014 the U S Women s Chamber of Commerce established the I Vote for Women org website 13 to support the election of candidates supporting the chamber s women s economic priorities 14 On September 11 2014 the U S Women s Chamber of Commerce filed an amici curiae in support of Peggy Young for her case before the Supreme Court Young v UPS No 12 1226 detailing the economic impact of women in the workforce 15 On December 3 2015 the U S Women s Chamber of Commerce announced their first ever presidential endorsement as they endorsed Secretary Hillary Clinton for the 2016 U S Presidential race The chamber stated that the leadership examined the organization s priorities along with the history capability commitments and electability of current presidential candidates in making the selection 16 Association Members editThe U S Women s Chamber of Commerce maintains a broad assortment of partners and association members including regional national and international organizations Alaska 8 a Association Arizona Small Business Association Arizona Women Business Builders Asian Women in Business Association for Small Business and Technology Association for Women in Architecture Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers Association of Small Business Development Centers Association of Women Contractors Business Women s Network of Howard County Catalyst Women Charo Community Development Corporation Community Physical Therapists Dress for Success Washington DC Financial Women International Fort Worth Business Assistance Center Girls in Government Greater Cincinnati Women s Network Hispanic Women s Corporation Insight Center for Community Economic Development Institute for Women s Policy Research Latin Business Association Michigan Association of Female Executives National Association of Women in Construction Minority Women Business Enterprise Alliance Inc National Center for American Indian Enterprise National Center for Small Business Information National Procurement Council National Women s Political Caucus Nebraska Women s Commission New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners Peninsula Tidewater Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Professional Businesswomen of California Professional Women in Construction San Antonio Women s Chamber of Commerce Society of Government Travel Professionals Soroptimist International of the Americas Tennessee Economic Council on Women United for the Advancement of Women in the Construction Industry University of Georgia SBDC Women amp Girls Foundation of SW PA Women Business Owners of Montgomery County Women Business Owners of Prince George s County Women s Automotive Association International Women s Business Council Gulf Coast Women s Campaign Fund Women s Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach City Women s Sports FoundationReferences edit U S Women s Chamber of Commerce Project Vote Smart Retrieved 2009 04 25 Williams Terry January 2004 Women Business Owners Blocked from Fair Access to Federal Contracts Report to Congress PDF p 39 Retrieved 2009 04 25 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a work ignored help CS1 maint location missing publisher link permanent dead link Survey of Business Owners Company Summary 2002 U S Census 2009 04 03 Archived from the original on 2009 04 18 Retrieved 2009 04 25 Small Business Goaling Report Fiscal Year 2007 Small Business Administration 2007 Archived from the original on 2009 05 02 Retrieved 2009 04 25 Burton Mark Jennifer Brown Gillian Thomas Jeffrey Bramlett Michael Terry Tiana Mykkeltvedt Margot Dorfman 2007 03 27 US Women s Chamber of Commerce Amicus Letter PDF Impact Fund Strategic Litigation for Social Justice 7 Archived from the original PDF on 2011 07 26 Retrieved 2009 04 25 Dorfman Margot 2008 01 24 Testimony of the U S Women s Chamber of Commerce The Fair Pay Restoration Act Ensuring Reasonable Rules in Pay Discrimination Cases PDF Washington DC Senate Committee on Health Education Labor and Pensions p 5 Retrieved 2009 04 25 permanent dead link United States Senate Congressional Record LILLY LEDBETTER FAIR PAY ACT OF 2009 MOTION TO PROCEED GovTrack us 2009 01 15 Retrieved 2009 04 25 permanent dead link Dorfman Margot 2008 10 28 Hearing on Creating Opportunities for Small Businesses in an Economic Recovery PDF United States House Committee on Small Business Retrieved 2009 04 25 dead link Dorfman Margot 2009 01 14 The State of the Small Business Economy and Identifying Policies to Promote an Economic Recovery PDF United States House Committee on Small Business Retrieved 2009 04 25 Dorfman Margot 2009 02 11 The State of SBA s Entrepreneurial Development Programs and Their Role in Promoting an Economic Recovery PDF United States House Committee on Small Business Retrieved 2009 04 25 U S Women s Chamber of Commerce named 3rd Party Certifier for WOSB EDWOSB Program by U S Small Business Administration WOSB National Council established by U S Women s Chamber of Commerce I Vote for Women established by U S Women s Chamber of Commerce Women s Economic Priorities as established by U S Women s Chamber of Commerce U S Women s Chamber of Commerce amici curiae Young v UPS U S Women s Chamber of Commerce Endorsement of Hillary Clinton 2015 03 12External links editU S Women s Chamber of Commerce USWCC Listing at the National Council of Women s Organizations USWCC at Project Vote Smart Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title U S Women 27s Chamber of Commerce amp oldid 1180915061, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,