www.wipp.org
By Virginia Littlejohn
President & CEO, Quantum Leaps
Dating back to the early 1910s, International Women’s Day has been observed all over the world, first as a call for women’s and their right to vote, then slowly evolving to the more contemporary recognition of women’s economic, political and social achievements. As WIPP launches its first publication of the landmark myContracting Magazine, I am moved and awed by the tremendous work that women all over the world have embarked upon for the chance at political, economic, and social equality.
Only 25 years ago in the United States, House Resolution (HR) 5050 was a major milestone in the lives of women business owners because it gave political approval and acknowledgement to women’s contributions to the economy. The women’s business community joined together, and its new focus took aim at the burning business issues that impacted women business owner’s bottom lines – accessing capital and winning government contracts. Women business owners understood the importance of unity, and in 1974-75, 12 pioneering women business owners incorporated as the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), developing chapters across the country while identifying allies in Congress and the executive branch. After spending 12 years building a base, working with Washington leaders on legislation, and positioning its members into key positions, HR 5050 was signed into law in 1988 by then President Ronald Reagan as the Women’s Business Ownership Act of 1988.
Known as the “Big Bang” of women’s entrepreneurship, HR 5050 began the process of leveling the playing field for women accessing capital from banks; created entrepreneurial education opportunities for women through the Women’s Business Centers; added women ownership to the Census so women business owners could, for the first time, be accurately counted; and created a federal advisory council to serve as an independent source of advice and policy recommendations to the president, Congress, and the U.S. Small Business Administration on economic issues of importance to women business owners.
There was one major issue that decidedly was missing from HR5050 – federal procurement for women-owned businesses (because we realized that we would lose the entire bill if this language was included). Procurement has remained a priority issue for WIPP and its coalition of 75 business organizations, culminating with the release of the WOSB Federal Contract Program in April, 2011. WIPP continues to be a strong force for government contracting education through Give Me 5, a nationally recognized online education program developed through WIPP’s partnership with American Express OPEN, and ChallengeHER, an initiative from the Small Business Administration (SBA), WIPP and American Express OPEN. ChallengeHER is designed to strengthen and promote the WOSB Federal Contract Program and offers events, workshops and access to the Give Me 5 online curriculum, mentoring opportunities and government buyers. Its goal is to provide women entrepreneurs with knowledge and connections to help them successfully compete in the government marketplace. As a result of these efforts, there now are 374 eligible NAICS codes in the WOSB set aside program with no contract award size cap limits.
While we continue to make many gains, much work remains to be done, and it requires the engagement and commitment of the women’s business community. We must be informed and we must work together to ensure the active participation of all women in every facet of our economy. As Secretary Hillary Clinton has said, and many have echoed, “When women succeed, economies succeed.”
I’m delighted to see WIPP’s newest initiative, MyContracting Magazine, which provides invaluable educational tools, resources and best practices from top women contractors and the small business liaisons and contracting officers who are committed to our success.
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Virginia Littlejohn is the Global Advisor for WEConnect International, which she helped incubate as CEO and Co-Founder of Quantum Leaps. Quantum Leaps works on strategic initiatives to fuel the growth of women’s entrepreneurship, including development of global "Roadmaps to 2020." Virginia was President of the National Association of Women Business Owners in the U.S., an architect of the Women’s Business Ownership Act signed into U.S. law in 1988, and Vice President of the World Association of Women Entrepreneurs. She was the OECD’s Senior Advisor for Women's Entrepreneurship for 10 years, and is currently Lead Consultant for the UN International Trade Centre’s 10-year “Platform for Action on Sourcing from Women Vendors.” Virginia has won numerous awards for her women entrepreneurial advocacy.
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