Connecting women business owners with the people who can help them succeed

The National Women's Business Council (NWBC) was established as part of the Women's Ownership Act of 1988 (also known as House Resolution 5050) as an advisory body of women business owners. NWBC was asked to identify the barriers to success for women-owned businesses and report annually to the President and Congress on its findings.

By the early 1990s, the Council had begun bringing together women business owners, policy makers, bankers, representatives of women's business organizations, and other stakeholders to discuss possible solutions to the challenges facing women business owners and to recommend these solutions to the President and Congress.

In 1994, the Small Business Reauthorization Act changed the structure of the NWBC to its current form to include both women business owners and representatives of women's business organizations.

In 1998, Public Law 105-235 expanded the Council's membership to 15, including the Chair.

Today's NWBC plays a vital supporting role in expanding opportunities for women business owners and prospective women business owners. To learn more about NWBC and its key activities, visit www.nwbc.gov.
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