Issue in Brief
 Prepared by the National Women’s Business Council October 2003 

State Economic Networks for Women Business Owners 

The National Women’s Business Council, established by the Women’s Business Ownership Act of 1988, brings research-based facts to public policy 

discussions at the Federal level. While there have been efforts to create similar entities at the state level, no systematic attempt at gathering information 

on such state efforts has taken place. This issue brief serves to fill that gap by investigating the existence of such entities. The positive news is that 43 

states have some sort of state or private commission, council, coalition, or economic network focused on women. Of the 56 organizations identified, 

however, nearly two-thirds (35 organizations) are women’s commissions with no stated focus on women’s entrepreneurship. The remaining 21 

organizations, covering 16 states, have either a total or partial focus on women business owners. It is our hope that learning more about these statelevel efforts will spur their further development, and increase their focus on women’s enterprise development and public policy advocacy. 

Background 

While there are many women’s membership and nongovernmental organizations that have a presence at the 

state or regional level, there has been no systematic 

compilation of publicly-funded organizations that promote 

women’s business enterprise development. 

This document and its accompanying resource guide seek 

to add to the body of knowledge with respect to support 

for women’s enterprise development by focusing on statelevel organizations that support women’s entrepreneurship 

policy development. While at the outset we focused 

primarily on publicly-funded organizations, we discovered 

that several states have equivalently-focused organizations 

which don’t receive state funding. These organizations 

have been included as well. We do not include 

membership organizations or those focused strictly on 

procurement, certification or training and technical 

assistance. Our goal was to find organizations equivalent to 

the National Women’s Business Council at the state level. 

State Women’s Business Councils 

Just two states have state-funded councils dedicated to 

women’s entrepreneurship policy development – Colorado 

(Women’s Economic Development Council, part of the 

Colorado Office of Economic Development and 

International Trade) and Illinois (Illinois Women’s 

Business Ownership Council). Both councils have board 

members who are appointed by the governor, and part of 

each of their statutes is to make regulatory and policy 

recommendations to encourage the growth of womenowned businesses. 

Five other states (Kansas, New York, Pennsylvania, 

Virginia, and Washington) also have state-funded 

organizations that focus on women’s entrepreneurship. 

These organizations are divisions or offices that reside 

within a larger department. One of these organizations, the 

Women’s Business Advocate Office in the Pennsylvania 

Department of Community and Economic Development, 

“encourages the creation, expansion and retention of 

women-owned businesses as part of Pennsylvania’s overall 

economic development strategy.” The other four 

organizations are offices of Minority and Women’s 

Business Development and appear to be primarily focused 

certification and procurement, rather than covering a 

broader range of issues. 

Private-Sector Women’s Business Councils and 

Networks 

There are six organizations in five states (California, 

Colorado, two in Georgia, Louisiana, and Ohio) that are 

privately-funded councils or networks that focus on 

women’s entrepreneurship. Three of these organizations 

certify women-owned business enterprises in addition to 

providing other resources, one organization operates as 

part of a state SBDC program, and two serve as coalitions 

or clearinghouses of member organizations. 

Three states (Colorado, Maine, and New York) have 

privately-funded organizations that include women’s 

entrepreneurship among their various focus issues. The 

organizations in Maine and New York include policy 

development as part of their mandate. 

409 3rd Street, SW, Suite 210  Washington, DC 20024  202-205-3850 (p)  202-205-6825 (f)  www.nwbc.gov 
 

State Economic Networks for Women Business Owners, pg. 2 

State and Private-Sector Women’s Commissions 

Thirty-one states have state-funded commissions for 

women and three states have privately-funded 

commissions for women, with no stated focus on women’s 

entrepreneurship in any of these organizations. Five states 

(Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, New Hampshire, and 

Wisconsin) have state-funded commissions that list 

women’s entrepreneurship among their focus issues. 

Recommendations 

While most states have a women’s commission in place, 

there are very few state- or privately-funded councils 

focused specifically on women business owners and their 

enterprises. Fewer yet have councils which include the 

development of policy recommendations as a focus. Of 58 

identified organizations, nearly two-thirds are either state 

or private women’s commissions with no stated focus on 

women’s entrepreneurship. We recommend that the 

organizations that are focused on women’s 

entrepreneurship – especially those in which there is a 

mandate for policy action – be used as models in the 34 

states lacking such organizations. A first step might be to 

either add a women’s entrepreneurship focus to existing 

women’s commissions or to add an office of women’s 

business outreach to existing state purchasing offices. 

However, we feel that it would ultimately be most 

beneficial for women’s business enterprise development at 

the state level for there to be a state-funded, citizen-driven 

entity such as a state women’s business council. 

Methodology 

The leaders of Women’s Business Centers and Small 

Business Development Centers across the country were 

contacted via e-mail and asked to provide information on 

the existence of state women's business councils, women's 

business advocates/ombudsmen in state government, and 

state economic networks for women business owners 

within their respective states. The organizations mentioned 

were researched via the Internet in order to get contact 

information, information on their missions and structure, 

etc. Other Internet searches, independent of the 

recommendations received, were also undertaken and 

provided information on other relevant organizations. The 

National Governors’ Association was also contacted. 

This is meant to serve as a first step in gathering 

information on state economic networks and other similar 

organizations for women business owners. Despite our 

intensive research, there may be existing organizations that 

have not been identified. We welcome information on any 

such organizations that we may have inadvertently missed. 

We are grateful to Jane Park, a student at the University of 

California, Davis, who interned with the National 

Women’s Business Council and who took the lead in 

gathering and organizing the information in this project. 

Complete information on the organizations outlined in the 

tables below may be found in a companion resource guide 

at www.nwbc.gov. 

The National Women’s Business Council is a bi-partisan 

Federal government body created to serve as an 

independent source of advice and policy recommendations 

to the President, Congress, and the U.S. Small Business 

Administration on economic issues of importance to 

women business owners. Members of the Council are 

prominent women business owners and leaders of 

women’s business organizations. For more information 

about the Council, its mission and activities, contact: 

National Women’s Business Council, 409 3rd Street, SW, 

Suite 210, Washington, DC 20024; phone: 202-205-3850; 

fax: 202-205-6825; e-mail: nwbc@sba.gov, web site: 

http://www.nwbc.gov. 
 

 

State Economic Networks for Women Business Owners, pg. 3 

Table 1: Women’s Business Councils, Commissions and Networks in the United States – Sorted By Type 

State 

State Women’s Business Councils – focused on women business owners 

Women’s Economic Development Council - Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade CO 

Illinois Women’s Business Ownership Council IL 

Kansas Department of Commerce – Office of Minority and Women’s Business Development KS 

Empire State Development – Division of Minority-and Women-Owned Business Development NY 

Women’s Business Advocate Office – Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development PA 

Virginia Department of Business Assistance – Minority & Women’s Businesses VA 

Washington State Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises WA 

Private-Sector Women’s Business Councils and Networks – focused on women business owners 

California State Economic Network CA 

Colorado Minority & Women’s Business Council CO 

Georgia Women Entrepreneurs (GWEN) GA 

Georgia Women’s Business Council GA 

Women’s Business Council Gulf Coast LA 

Ohio Women’s Business Development Council, Inc. OH 

State Women’s Business Councils – partially focused on women business owners 

Permanent Commission on the Status of Women CT 

Idaho Women’s Commission ID 

Governor’s Commission on the Status of Women in Illinois IL 

New Hampshire Commission on the Status of Women NH 

Wisconsin Women’s Council WI 

Private-Sector Women’s Business Councils and Networks – partially focused on women business owners 

Colorado Women’s Leadership Coalition CO 

Maine Centers for Women, Work & Community ME 

New York Women’s Agenda NY 

State Women’s Commissions – not focused on women business owners 

California Women’s Commission CA 

Delaware Commission for Women DE 

Florida Commission on the Status of Women FL 

Hawaii’s State Commission on the Status of Women HI 

Iowa Commission on the Status of Women IA 

Indiana Commission for Women IN 

Kentucky Commission on Women KY 

Louisiana Women’s Commission LA 

The Governor’s Advisory Committee on Women’s Issues MA 

Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women MA 

Maryland Commission for Women MD 

Michigan Women’s Commission MI 

Legislative Commission on the Economic Status of Women MN 

Missouri Women’s Council MO 

Mississippi Commission on the Status of Women MS 

North Carolina Council for Women and Domestic Violence Commission NC 

North Dakota Commission on the Status of Women ND 
 

State Economic Networks for Women Business Owners, pg. 4 

Table 1: Women’s Business Councils, Commissions and Networks in the United States – Sorted By Type 

State 

Nebraska Commission on the Status of Women NE 

New Jersey Division on Women NJ 

New Mexico Commission on the Status of Women NM 

New York State Division for Women NY 

Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women OK 

Oregon Commission for Women OR 

Pennsylvania Commission for Women PA 

Rhode Island Commission on Women RI 

South Carolina Governor’s Commission on Women* SC 

Tennessee Economic Council on Women TN 

Governor’s Commission for Women TX 

Governor’s Commission for Women and Families UT 

Vermont Commission on Women VT 

West Virginia Women’s Commission WV 

Wyoming Council for Women’s Issues WY 

Private-Sector Women’s Commissions – not focused on women business owners 

The Women’s Union MA 

Minnesota Women’s Consortium MN 

Wisconsin Women’s Network WI 

* Funding for the South Carolina Governor’s Commission on Women was eliminated in 2003. The organization now exists in name only. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State Economic Networks for Women Business Owners, pg. 5 

Table 2: Women’s Business Councils, Commissions and Networks in the United States – Sorted by State 

Type 

Focus on 

Women 

Business 

Owners? 

Alabama 

No organizations found 

Alaska 

No organizations found 

Arizona 

No organizations found 

Arkansas 

No organizations found 

California

 California State Economic Network 

California Women’s Commission 

Private 

State 

Yes 

No 

Colorado 

Women’s Economic Development Council - Colorado Office of Economic Development and 

International Trade 

Colorado Minority & Women’s Business Council 

Colorado Women’s Leadership Coalition 

State 

Private 

Private 

Yes 

Yes 

Partial 

Connecticut 

Permanent Commission on the Status of Women State Partial 

Delaware 

Delaware Commission for Women State No 

District of Columbia 

No organizations found 

Florida 

Florida Commission on the Status of Women State No 

Georgia 

Georgia Women Entrepreneurs (GWEN) 

Georgia Women’s Business Council 

Private 

Private 

Yes 

Yes 

Hawaii 

Hawaii’s State Commission on the Status of Women State No 

Idaho 

Idaho Women’s Commission State Partial 

Illinois 

Illinois Women’s Business Ownership Council 

Governor’s Commission on the Status of Women in Illinois 

State 

State 

Yes 

Partial 

Indiana 

Indiana Commission for Women State No 

Iowa 

Iowa Commission on the Status of Women State No 

Kansas 

Kansas Department of Commerce – Office of Minority and Women’s Business Development State Yes 

Kentucky 

Kentucky Commission on Women State No 

Louisiana 

Women’s Business Council Gulf Coast 

Louisiana Women’s Commission 

Private 

State 

Yes 

No 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State Economic Networks for Women Business Owners, pg. 6 

Table 2: Women’s Business Councils, Commissions and Networks in the United States – Sorted by State 

Type 

Focus on 

Women 

Business 

Owners? 

Maine 

Maine Centers for Women, Work & Community Private Partial 

Maryland 

Maryland Commission for Women State No 

Massachusetts 

The Governor’s Advisory Committee on Women’s Issues 

Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women 

The Women’s Union 

State 

State 

Private 

No 

No 

No 

Michigan 

Michigan Women’s Commission State No 

Minnesota 

Legislative Commission on the Economic Status of Women 

Minnesota Women’s Consortium 

State 

Private 

No 

No 

Mississippi 

Mississippi Commission on the Status of Women State No 

Missouri 

Missouri Women’s Council State No 

Montana 

No organizations found 

Nebraska 

Nebraska Commission on the Status of Women State No 

Nevada 

No organizations found 

New Hampshire 

New Hampshire Commission on the Status of Women State Partial 

New Jersey 

New Jersey Division on Women State No 

New Mexico 

New Mexico Commission on the Status of Women State No 

New York 

Empire State Development – Division of Minority-and Women-Owned Business Development 

New York Women’s Agenda 

New York State Division for Women 

State 

Private 

State 

Yes 

Partial 

No 

North Carolina 

North Carolina Council for Women and Domestic Violence Commission State No 

North Dakota 

North Dakota Commission on the Status of Women State No 

Ohio 

Ohio Women’s Business Development Council, Inc. Private Yes 

Oklahoma 

Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women State No 

Oregon 

Oregon Commission for Women State No 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State Economic Networks for Women Business Owners, pg. 7 

Table 2: Women’s Business Councils, Commissions and Networks in the United States – Sorted by State 

Type 

Focus on 

Women 

Business 

Owners? 

Pennsylvania 

Women’s Business Advocate Office – Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic 

Development 

Pennsylvania Commission for Women 

State 

State 

Yes 

No 

Rhode Island 

Rhode Island Commission on Women State No 

South Carolina 

South Carolina Governor’s Commission on Women* State No 

South Dakota 

No organizations found 

Tennessee 

Tennessee Economic Council on Women State No 

Texas 

Governor’s Commission for Women State No 

Utah 

Governor’s Commission for Women and Families State No 

Vermont 

Vermont Commission on Women State No 

Virginia 

Virginia Department of Business Assistance – Minority & Women’s Businesses State Yes 

Washington 

Washington State Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises State Yes 

West Virginia 

West Virginia Women’s Commission State No 

Wisconsin 

Wisconsin Women’s Council 

Wisconsin Women’s Network 

State 

Private 

Partial 

No 

Wyoming 

Wyoming Council for Women’s Issues State No 

* Funding for the South Carolina Governor’s Commission on Women was eliminated in 2003. The organization now exists in name only.