Conference on Women Entrepreneurship in the 21st Century

Women Affected by 9/11 Attended Entrepreneurship Conference: Small Business Owners Focused on Growth and Recovery

Fifty women small business owners who were affected by the Sept. 11 attacks attended the Department of Labor's Conference on Women's Entrepreneurship in the 21st Century in Washington, D.C., March 18 and 19. The women were a part of the American Women's Economic Development Corporation (AWED).

"These women are true representatives of all that is great about American society. In the face of disaster they volunteered their time and effort to rebuild their communities," Chao said. "They recognize that it is our duty as Americans to foster growth in our businesses-we are proud to have them with us today."

The women fell into four categories: one, businesses at or immediately around Ground Zero-for example, a woman from South America whose insurance brokerage business covered many of the Hispanic service workers who worked in the World Trade Center. She lost over 60 clients in the attacks; two, women whose businesses were dramatically impacted by the attacks (i.e. 60% of client base was affected) but whose businesses are located elsewhere in New York-for example, one woman, a florist who lives in Long Island, home to many NYC firefighters made the funeral wreaths and arrangements for many of the firefighters' funerals; three, volunteers who, upon being called by AWED, came to the immediate assistance of these businesses and who have been providing business counseling since that time; and four, businesses who have sustained growth rising out of the ashes of the attack-this category exemplifies the resilience of America, of women and of the entrepreneurial spirit, and includes a woman who is a construction consultant who is positioned to work on the rebuilding of New York.

For the full text of Secretary Chao's remarks, please visit:

• Opening Remarks
• Keynote Address
• Closing Remarks

For more information on Women Entrepreneurs Summits, please visit
http://www.women-21.com/.