WIPP Takes on Capitol Hill During Legislative Fly-In

This month, Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) hosted our Legislative Fly-In, bringing together over 50 inspiring women business owners to advocate for policies that support and empower women entrepreneurs. The impactful event featured briefings with the Senate and House Small Business Committees staffers, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and the Office of Management and Budget.

During the Fly-In, our members passionately shared their top concerns with policymakers, from increasing access to federal contracts to improving contracting programs for existing Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSBs). They provided invaluable feedback on legislation impacting how the federal government counts and reports contracts awarded to WOSBs and the priorities for the House and Senate Small Business Committees this Congress.

Key issues raised by WIPP members included complexities related to contract compliance, access to capital and affordable childcare. In our briefing with SBA officials, members asked insightful questions about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in federal contracting and how women-owned businesses can best leverage resources like the Growth Accelerator Fund Competition and the Regional Innovation Cluster.

Importantly, the Fly-In elevated our formal partnership with the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO). Since early 2024, WIPP and NAWBO have partnered on the Micro Business Regional Listening Tour, exploring the definition of a micro business and the unique needs and challenges faced by women-owned micro businesses. We look forward to continuing this crucial work alongside NAWBO, uniting our voices to advocate for the over 14 million women-owned small businesses nationwide.

We are immensely proud to have convened such a powerful group of women entrepreneurs, sharpening our advocacy skills and using our unified voice to discuss effective policy solutions directly with lawmakers. Events like these are vital for ensuring the needs of women business owners are heard and addressed.