ABOUT US

As a dues-based organization with far-reaching clout and impact, we are a one-stop resource to propelling women business owners into greater economic, social and political spheres worldwide.

NAWBO prides itself on being a global beacon for influence, ingenuity and action and is uniquely positioned to provide incisive commentary on issues of importance to women business owners. Everything NAWBO undertakes leverages the unique attributes that women business owners bring to the table and is designed to illuminate, transform - and ultimately harness - the nation's wide-ranging community of entrepreneurial women into an ever-more-influential unified voice and increasingly dynamic leadership roles.

NAWBO was organized more than three decades ago with the goal of securing equal rights and opportunities for women bold and visionary enough to pursue an entrepreneurial dream in the global marketplace. Today, NAWBO is the voice for more than 10 million women-owned businesses across all industries and every corner of the United States.

NAWBO's many milestones and awards over the decades exemplify the rich history of success the organization and its thousands of members have enjoyed.

NATIONAL HISTORY
In 1975, a group of a dozen like-minded businesswomen in the Washington, D.C. area gathered to share information and create an atmosphere of professional community to further and strengthen their entrepreneurial interests. That group quickly grew to become what is now known as the National Association of Women Business Owners. Since then, NAWBO has risen to become the strong and unified voice of more than 10 million women-owned businesses across the country.

Over the past 30-plus years, NAWBO has expanded across the United States, boasting a chapter in nearly every major metropolitan area. Through its affiliation with Les Femmes Chefs d'Enterprises Mondiales (World Association of Women Entrepreneurs), NAWBO's global reach extends to 60 countries on five continents worldwide.

INDIANAPOLIS CHAPTER HISTORY
The Indianapolis chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO-Indianapolis) received its charter in 1997. The statewide chapter is the fourth largest of 80 chapters across the United States.

VISION AND MISSION 
We propel women entrepreneurs into economic, social and political spheres of power worldwide. As an organization with a "customer first" philosophy, we:

• STRENGTHEN the wealth creating capacity of our members and promoting economic development within the entrepreneurial community
• CREATE innovative and effective changes in the business culture
• BUILD strategic alliances, coalitions and affiliations
• TRANSFORM public policy and influence opinion makers

DIVERSITY STATEMENT
In principle and in practice, NAWBO values and seeks a diverse and inclusive membership. NAWBO seeks full participation in the organization by all business owners who support our mission to empower women entrepreneurs, regardless of race, religion, age, sexual orientation, national origin or disability. NAWBO's goal is to effectively represent the full diversity of the women business owner community and to expand access to leadership opportunities across the full spectrum of our membership.