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Remarks Prepared for Delivery by
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao
Salute Dinner/Applause Award
Women's Business Enterprise National Council
National Building Museum
Washington, D.C.
Wednesday, March 24, 2004
Thank you, Rebecca [Boenigk, CEO, Neutral Posture, Byron, Texas] .
And thank you, Susan Bari. You do a tremendous job at Women Business Enterprise National Council. As the largest third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women in the United States, Women Business Enterprise is one of the most effective organizations serving women-owned businesses.
Let me also recognize Ken Lewis who served as Chairman of tonight's event.
I would also like to recognize Melanie Sabelhaus, the Deputy Administrator of the Small Business Administration.
And I'm delighted to see so many women entrepreneurs and leaders from mainstream American business here this evening, especially as we observe Women's History Month.
I am pleased to accept this award from the Women's Business Enterprise National Council. Having grown up with many sisters, I have always believed in the potential of women.
This award recognizes the work that the Department of Labor and the Administration of President George W. Bush have done to support and foster women entrepreneurs who bring hope, opportunity and jobs to their communities.
When a woman believes in a product or service she has designed, developed or produced, it doesn't take long for the word to spread. It's like a great recipe going around—everyone wants it! But sometimes it takes a little help to move the product or service beyond the neighborhood and community.
We understand that at the Department of Labor. And that's why we have a number of programs and resources to help.
- In the past three years, the Department has awarded $230 million in procurement contracts to women-owned businesses. In two of those years, we surpassed the federally mandated goal of 5 percent.
- The Department and its partners have hosted five entrepreneurship summits. At these summits, women learn new tools to help them grow and expand their businesses.
- And the Department's Women's Bureau has a new Flex Options initiative to help women balance career and family. Larger businesses mentor women business owners in flexibility options for their employees.
- Flexible workplaces are not only good for employees, but they also benefit employers. They improve recruitment, boost morale and aid in retention and productivity.
- And the Labor Department has a Web site for women—you can find it at www.women-21.gov . It is full of information that will help you in your business. In the next few months, the Web site will undergo an extreme makeover. We have listened to those who visit the site and we are responding.
The new site will be content- and database-driven. It will be easier for you to do research and to find that one ingredient you need. The new, improved Web site will also have a better calendar of educational workshops and other events. The site is fully operational now, but keep checking back to see the new version … it will be online soon.
As women tap into these resources, their businesses are growing—and they are creating jobs for American workers.
And so, again, thank you for this very special award. The Department looks forward to continuing to work together with the Women Business Enterprise National Council on behalf of women entrepreneurs all over our great country.
Thank you.
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