In 1974, an informal group of women business owners in the Washington, DC area met to trade information about federal contracts, bank credit, and other business issues.  Every few weeks, more women began attending the group and it became clear that there was a great need for a formal organization devoted to helping women business owners grow their businesses.  By 1975, our founders were organized, named, and chartered as a national organization.

The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) is the voice of America's 10.6 million women-owned businesses.  Since 1975, NAWBO has helped women evolve their businesses by sharing resources and providing a single voice to shape economic and public policy.  NAWBO is the only dues-based national organization representing the interest of all women entrepreneurs across all industries. 

NAWBO is an organization that works to:

• STRENGTHEN the wealth-creating capacity of its members and promote economic development
• CREATE innovative and effective changes in the b usiness culture
• BUILD strategic alliances, coalitions, and affiliations
• TRANSFORM public policy and influence opinion makers

NAWBO Greater DC Mission

The mission of NAWBO Greater DC is to promote interdependence among the more than 45,000 women business owners in the Washington, DC area to:

• Build a community of relationships and provide resources to help women business owners and women-owned businesses grow
• Influence public policy on issues that impact business owners
• Encourage and support busiiness ownership by women

FAQ

Q: How can I join NAWBO Greater DC?
A: Easy! Join online using the JOIN link from the home page. If you are unable to join using a credit card for payment, call 703-683-5655 and your membership can be processed manually.

Q: Who belongs to NAWBO?
A: Women business owners who operate in every sector including manufacturing, construction, agribusiness and retail, as well as high growth industries such as health, business and professional services.

Q: Can anyone join NAWBO?
A: Membership is open to sole proprietors, partners and corporate owners with day-to-day management responsibility. Although anyone can join, most of our programs and opportunities are geared toward entrepreneurs. Find out more about NAWBO membership.

Q: What are the benefits of joining NAWBO?
A: NAWBO membership offers premier opportunities for the woman business owner to reach business goals and maintain a competitive edge through training, education, corporate connection, networking, peer support, public policy, annual awards, regional and annual conferences and direct discount programs. Members receive a monthly newsletter from national in addition to our monthly e -News and program fliers. Members have the opportunity to work within our Strategic Alliance with the National Women’s Business Center and become a mentor for a new business owner.

Q: Can I join on a trial membership?
A: Membership to NAWBO is renewed on an annual basis.

Q. How much does it cost?
A. Chapter Dues are $100.  National Dues are dependent on which membership category is chosen.  Please visit the Join/Renew link for more information.

Q: What if I am not sure if I want to join?
A: NAWBO Greater DC welcomes non-members to many of their events; non-members typically pay a higher price for entry. Please visit our event calendar for the next event...we look forward to see you soon!

Q: What do I do if there is no Chapter in my area?
A: If there is a chapter within 60 miles of your business location, you must become a member of that chapter. NAWBO has chapters in most metropolitan areas. If there is not a chapter in your area, you can join NAWBO as an National At-Large member.

Q: How can I start a NAWBO chapter in my area?
A:  To learn more about starting a NAWBO chapter, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   or call 1-800-55-NAWBO to request a copy of the Chapter in Formation Questionnaire.