Speeches by Secretary Elaine L. Chao
Archived Speech — Caution: Information may be out of date.
Remarks Prepared for Delivery by
U.S. Secretary of
Labor Elaine L. Chao
Women’s Business Center Annual Gala Awards
Dinner
Washington, D.C.
May 11, 2004
Thank you for that kind introduction, Yeni [Wong, President and CEO of Riverdale International]. And thank you for honoring me with the Public Sector Entrepreneurial Vision Award.
It is great to be here tonight. I’ve been talking to women entrepreneurs for the past three years, and each time it is an inspirational experience. You are creating jobs, hope, and opportunity in your communities.
Nationally, women-owned businesses are growing at twice the rate of all U.S. firms.
Since most jobs are created by small businesses, that means that women entrepreneurs are making a significant contribution to the economic vitality of our economy.
This administration is committed to ensuring that you continue to prosper and that leaders and policymakers in Washington understand your concerns.
That’s why the Department of Labor has sponsored five Summits on Women’s Entrepreneurship in the 21st Century during the Bush administration.
The women at these Summits identified networking, mentoring, and training as key components of their success.
So this event is right on track. I want to commend the Women’s Business Center for providing training and support for women-owned businesses. You are nurturing leaders on the cutting edge of our current economic growth.
And I want to commend all the entrepreneurs here tonight. You are creating so much hope and opportunity. Networking events like this one tonight are wonderful ways to make new contacts and to be inspired by the success of others.
This is an exciting time to be a woman entrepreneur. The economic news is encouraging. The recovery is strengthening. And there are more opportunities available than ever before for women in business. So don’t be afraid to reach for your dreams—there has never been a better time to make them come true.
Thank you, again, for honoring me with the Public Sector Entrepreneurial Vision Award and have a great evening!
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Archived Speech — Caution: Information may be out of date.
