The Office of Women’s Business Ownership Observes Equal Pay Day
According to the National Committee on Pay Equity (NCPE), Equal Pay Day symbolizes how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year. Equal Pay Day was originated in 1996 as a public awareness event to illustrate the gap between
men’s and women’s wages. Significant gender pay gaps persisted almost 60 years after the passage of the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Executive Order 11246 in 1965.
Women in the United States who work full-time, year-round typically are paid only 83 cents for every dollar paid to men. The wage gap is even more pronounced for many women of color.
Click
here for key statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Register for SBA’s Inaugural Women’s Business Summit
In celebration of Women’s History Month, join the SBA’s
Office of Women’s Business Ownership and the
Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center for the virtual Women’s Business Summit on March 29-30, 2022. The free event will include power-packed panels, inspirational fireside chats, and ‘Ask an Expert’ workshops to help you build, scale, and grow your business.
Panels and discussion topics include:
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Innovation and Investment: Women are underrepresented in the STEM fields and high-tech startups and subsequently obtain VC funding at disproportionally lower rates than their male colleagues. Women of color are even less represented in both
categories. This panel will highlight programs and organizations to support increasing access for women in obtaining funding for their high-tech startups.
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Building an Equitable Recovery Framework for Women Entrepreneurs: The pandemic is another example of how disasters exacerbate existing inequalities. Women dropped out of the workforce in greater numbers than men and have had unequal job recovery.
This panel will discuss the inclusive approach needed to support a sustainable return to the workforce for women.
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From Essential Worker to Essential Entrepreneur: CARE Economy Entrepreneurship Opportunities: The pandemic reminded us of the irreplaceable role caretakers play in our lives. From caring for children to elders, caretakers are foundational to
our families and the workplace. This panel will discuss the challenges and opportunities in the CARE economy and how SBA is supporting CARE entrepreneurs.
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The $100B Marketplace: Contracting Opportunities for Women-led Firms: The U.S. is the largest purchaser of goods in the world. In 1994, Congress authorized a goal for 5% of all federal contracts to go to WOSBs, a goal that has only been met
twice. This panel will provide an overview of the complex world of federal contracting, the WOSB certification program, and how to increase the amount of federal contracts going to WOSBs.
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Exporting & E-Commerce: International markets are a significant challenge for small business owners who often don’t have the tools or knowledge to successfully find and access new customers. This panel will host SBA and its partners as they
talk about the relationships and programs they are building to support entrepreneurs as they enter new markets.
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The Changing Landscape for the Entertainment Industry: The entertainment industry was especially hard hit throughout the pandemic. These businesses experienced unprecedented disruptions that threatened not only their livelihoods but also the
entire industry. Philanthropic and government programs were created to support these industries and enable business owners to stay afloat. We will convene industry leaders to consider how their work has fundamentally changed and what they see for the future.
Register
CEI Women’s Business Center South Host Grand Opening
On March 15, 2022, CEI
Women’s Business Center South (CEI WBC South), located in Portland, Maine, hosted its grand-opening celebration. To reflect southern Maine’s diverse population, the CEI WBC South will focus on fostering the equitable participation and empowerment of female
entrepreneurs with diverse racial, ethnic and LGBTQ+ backgrounds.
“A core part of our office’s mission is to support the development and growth of women
entrepreneurs,” said
Natalie Madeira Cofield, Assistant Administrator, Office of Women’s Business Ownership, U.S. Small Business Administration. “That is why we take pride in every single center we add to our vast WBC network. The CEI Women’s Business Center South will be vital
in helping women entrepreneurs in Maine thrive and survive amid these difficult times. We look forward to continuing to do our part to help grow the small business ecosystem, creating opportunities for women in business.”
“We are thrilled that the tremendous service CEI has provided to clients of the SBA’s Women’s Business Centers over the years was recognized with this award of a third Women’s Business Center in Maine,” said
Diane Sturgeon, District Director for the Maine District Office, U.S. Small Business Administration. “As the Small Business Administration works to address historic underinvestment in businesses owned by women and people of color, we are excited to see
the positive impact this new Women’s Business Center will have on small businesses owned by members of those historically underserved groups. Maine’s WBC is a key partner in the delivery of programs, and we look forward to continued partnership with the incredible
team at the
SBA’s CEI Women’s Business Centers.”
Celebrating Women’s History Month
Join the SBA on March 31, 2022, for an online event celebrating Women’s History Month. You will hear from industry experts including Natalie Madeira Cofield, SBA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Women’s Business Ownership; Candace Waterman, President
and CEO of the Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP); and Alisa Sheard, SBA Acting Deputy Director for the Office of Government Contracting and Business Development.
The discussion will focus on financial wellness for women-owned small businesses, the importance of increasing equity and access to opportunities that help uplift and support women entrepreneurs, and SBA
initiatives and resources that support existing women-owned small businesses and new startups as they pivot and grow in a post-COVID world.
Register
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