HOME ABOUT US NEWSLETTERS JOIN CONTACT-DIRECTORY

About Nashville Nawbo

NAWBO'S MISSION STATEMENT

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

STRENGTHEN the wealth creating capacity of our members and promote economic development

CREATE innovative and effective changes in the business culture

BUILD strategic alliances, coalitions and affiliations

TRANSFORM public policy and influence opinion makers

In addition to having membership meetings, small business workshops and networking events, the Nashville NAWBO Chapter has initiated programs and/or partnered with other organizations to promote and honor the accomplishments of women business owners. The success of the Nashville NAWBO Chapter is attributed to the diversity of skills, valuable experience and numerous volunteer hours provided by the members, board of directors and corporate partners. A special thank you is given to all who have helped Nashville Nawbo accomplish the following:

1989 - 1991
Became a NAWBO Chapter-in-Formation in 1989 and was chartered in 1990. Initiated and brought to Nashville the Athena Awards. Planned and hosted the "Big Break" conference for women business owners. President: Karen Williams Dunn

1991 - 1992
Hosted the National NAWBO Board of Directors Meeting. Planned and hosted "E4...An Economic Evolution" Conference for women business owners. President: Rita Burgett

1992 - 1993
Hosted the first Woman Business Owner of the Year Awards. Partnered with the TN Women's Political Caucus to host "An Evening with Lady Margaret Thatcher" reception and dinner. President: Sherry Cummings Sloan

1993 - 1994
Hosted the WBOY Awards. Partnered with other women's organizations in Nashville to build "A Woman's House" - the first Habitat for Humanity home built for a woman by an all-woman team. President: Terri Hedges

1994 - 1995
Hosted the WBOY Awards. Recruited, campaigned for and elected Nashville NAWBO members as TN delegates to the White House Conference on Small Business in Washington, D.C. President: Sherri Funk

1995 - 1996
Hosted the WBOY Awards. Wrote the bill and advocated passage of the bi-partisan supported legislation HR50 Resolution that created a statewide task force to explore the opportunities for and obstacles encountered by women business owners in TN. President: Debbie Bishop

1996 - 1997
Founded and provided initial seed capital for the Women's Resource Center, the first SBA-supported women's business center in TN. Planned and hosted a "What Works for Women Entrepreneurs" leadership luncheon and roundtable discussion featuring the Assistant Administrator of the SBA. President: Mary MacRae

1997 - 1998
Hosted the WBOY Awards. Planned and hosted a leadership luncheon featuring the U.S. Secretary of Labor. Planned and hosted the "Executive Women's Golf Luncheon". President: Linda Betz

1998 - 1999
Hosted the WBOY Awards. Partnered with the TN Department of Economic and Community Development to host the "State of the State" address for women business owners held during the Small Business Day on the Hill event. President: Carole Kennedy

1999 - 2001
Hosted the 6th Woman Business Owner of the Year Awards. President: Debbie Lancaster

2001 - 2002
Hosted the 7th Woman Business Owner of the Year Luncheon. Founded and implemented the First Walk for Women raising over $38,000 for the Women's Resource Center. President: Lynn Dorris

2002 - 2003
Hosted and sponsored the 2nd Walk For Women raising over $25,000 for the Women's Resource Center. Hosted NAWBO Annual Convention and Business Meeting in Nashville June 11 - 14th, 2003. President: Lynn Dorris, President Elect: Susan DePue

Special Note:
Three Nashville NAWBO members, two of whom served as Chapter Presidents, have been elected to the National NAWBO Board of Directors. They are Rita Burgett, Whitney Johns Martin and Mary MacRae.

NAWBO Nashville Chapter Bylaws (MS Word document)
Policies and Procedures Manual (MS Word document)
NAWBO Nashville Chapter Chair Responsibilities (MS Word document)