[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 133 (Friday, September 9, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1591]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




WOMEN'S BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER: 25 YEARS OF EMPOWERING WOMEN SMALL 
                            BUSINESS OWNERS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 9, 2011

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 25th 
anniversary of the ground-breaking Women's Business Development Center 
and the two remarkable women who founded it.
  In 1986, Hedy M. Ratner and S. Carol Dougal saw a need: the lack of 
support for women eager to participate in the business world. Then, 
through their vision and persistence, they worked to address that need 
by creating the Women's Business Development Center (WBDC). The goals 
they set were ambitious to say the least--to accelerate the growth of 
women-owned businesses and microenterprise ownership, to increase the 
economic impact of women business owners on families and communities, 
to build awareness of business ownership as a path to economic self-
sufficiency, and to help stimulate policy and system changes to empower 
women in the economy. Today, 25 years later, the achievements of the 
WBDC are evident, even as it continues to be an innovative national 
leader in expanding opportunities for women.
  The Center already has helped more than 65,000 women in the greater 
Chicago area start, improve and expand their small businesses. Its 
success has spurred the creation of 14 other centers in 6 states. The 
oldest and largest women's business assistance center in the country, 
the WBDC is constantly developing and implementing new approaches to 
help potential and current women business owners. The Center and its 
amazing staff give women the tools, the needed support and the 
confidence to know that they can become successful entrepreneurs.
  Whether you are a woman with a glimmer of an idea for creating a 
business or an established woman business owner who wants to take 
advantage of new opportunities, the WBDC is there to help. The Center 
provides a full range of programs and services: financial literacy and 
entrepreneurial trainings, workshops, one-to-one counseling, and 
capacity building. Its programs include Women's Business Enterprise, 
Women's Business Finance, Procurement and Technical Assistance, Child 
Care Business Initiative, and Latina Business Development.
  Hedy and Carol are recognized leaders who have advised business 
groups and public officials at all levels about ways to help women 
improve their families' well-being and our nation by creating new 
business opportunities. I am one of many who have been fortunate enough 
to receive their advice on ways to improve federal contracting and 
lending policies and to learn about the barriers that must be torn down 
so that more women can enter realm of business ownership.
  I congratulate Hedy, Carol and the extraordinary staff of the Women's 
Business Development Center for 25 years of success. I know that they 
will help many, many more women become business owners and leaders in 
the years to come.

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