About NAWBO

The National Association of Women Business Owners, headquartered in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, is the only dues-based national organization representing the interests of all women entrepreneurs in all types of businesses.

The organization currently has more than 75 chapters. It is affiliated with Les Femmes Chefs d’Entreprises Mondiales (World Association of Women Entrepreneurs) represented in 35 countries.

History

NAWBO traces its origins to a small group of Washington, D.C., businesswomen who began meeting informally in the spring of 1974 to talk about mutual experiences, exchange information and develop business skills. Recognizing the value of the group, they incorporated as the National Association of Women Business Owners on July 5, 1975. Two years later, they began recruiting members from across the country, and in 1978, the first chapters were formed.

Membership

Membership is open to sole proprietors, partners and corporate owners with day-to-day management responsibility. Active members who live in a chapter area automatically join both chapter and national. Those who do not live in a chapter area join as at-large members.

Mission Statement

As an organization with a customer-first philosophy, NAWBO:

• Strengthens the wealth creating capacity of members and promotes economic development;
• Creates innovative and effective changes in the business culture;
• Builds strategic alliances, coalitions and affiliations;