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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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