Recently in the WIPP Category

The Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) recently released statistics about women in elected office:

• Congress: women hold 87, or 16.3%, of the 535 seats in the 110th US Congress -- 16, or 16.0%, of the 100 seats in the Senate and 71, or 16.3%, of the 435 seats in the House of Representatives. In addition, three women serve as Delegates to the House from Guam, the Virgin Islands and Washington, DC. 

• Statewide Elective Executive: In 2008, 74 women hold statewide elective executive offices across the country; women hold 23.5% of the 315 available positions. Among these women, 44 are Democrats, 27 are Republicans, and 3 were elected in nonpartisan races.

• State Legislature: In 2008, 1,746, or 23.7%, of the 7,382 state legislators in the United States are women. Women hold 423, or 21.5%, of the 1,971 state senate seats and 1,323, or 24.5%, of the 5,411 state house seats. Since 1971, the number of women serving in state legislatures has more than quintupled

For more information and to view the full article visit the CAWP website.

On April 9 WIPP released key findings from their Annual Survey. Respondents ranked the state of the US economy and health care as the top two issues.  These results guide our work in Washington, so you know how important they are and so do we. That's why we're updating the 2008 economic forecast portion.

Please take a moment to answer 3 questions.

    Each year WIPP polls its members to get confirmation and reaffirm the issues that are most important to them, and to gain a sense of the priority of those issues.   For the first time, health care was out-ranked as the most pressing issue, by concern for the economy.

   Despite ranking the U.S. econonomy as the #1 issue, WIPP members are optimistic about their business prospects in 2008.   Over 82% do not expect to downsize their business, and 49% expect to add up to 5 new employees this year.

   The response from women entrepreneurs clearly reflects the growing concern with the U.S. economic outlook.   Given the key role that small business plays in our overall economy, the results of the survey helps shape federal and state policy that supports the continued health of WIPP's 500,000 members, and the millions of small business owners in the United States.

   Right behind the U.S. economy, as in past years, members ranked health care as their leading issue.   65% of the surveyed women business owners offer health insurance coverage to their employees.   While the majority oppose the federal government acting as the sole provider of healthcare coverage, our members were split on whether or not employers or individuals should be responsible for obtaining insurance for health care.   In 2007, 33% said individuals rather than employers should assume that responsibility.   This number has increased to 46% in 2008.

   When asked about possible solutions to address health care costs, 89% were supportive of proposals which would give small employers access to the same insurance offered to government employees.   Additionally, 62% of survey respondents supported lifting restrictions which prohibit business owners and employees to shop across state lines.

   Other issues that ranked as important or very important in the survey, included energy and the environment, access to capital, federal procurement programs and telecommunications issues.

   One of the items that surprised me - and pleased me so much - was the growth of the number of minority members in our organization.   According to the survey, 36% of our members responded as a member of a minority community:   African American, Hispanic, Asian, etc.    Diversity has been a top priority for WIPP.   We've been working hard to increase minority participation, and are making steady progress.   Thank you all for your confidence and faith in us.

   For more information on the survey, a detailed Executive Summary of the survey results, and our Top Ten WBO Facts, check out our website!

Each year we conduct a survey of our constituency in order to gain insight and information, assess the importance of economic issues, and evaluate the importance of policy issues relative to their businesses.   
 
As we all know, small businesses continue to drive the US economy and our respondents are generally optimistic about 2008, with many intending to hire additional employees, predicting revenues to increase, and with few anticipating downsizing. However, the economy is now one of the most important issues on the minds of the women business owners participating.  In the past, healthcare has been the leading issue among women business owners, and now the health of the US economy is also a critical issue of concern.  The recent economic slowdown, the rising cost of fuel, environmental issues such as global warming, retirement, access to capital, federal procurement, the federal deficit, as well as tax reform are all variables of concern regarding the economy.  

 
We believe these are the issues and initiatives which are important to women-owned firms and should be addressed by Congress and the Adminstration.  Attention to these initiatives will foster economic growth and economically sound businesses that are competitive in the global economy.

You can find a more detailed analysis of our survey results on our website at www.wipp.org

   I read an interesting article in the Washington Post, Many Potential Leaders of Tomorrow Reject the Role, which both encourages me and offers me concern.   The article talks about a poll that was commissioned last year by the Girl Scout Research Institute.   It shows that the majority of U.S. girls and boys don't want to be leaders, and those that do, tend to be from the minority community - African Americans, Hispanics, or female Asians.  

    It is so distressing to see that a majority of our youth have little or not interest in assuming leadership roles.   What they tell us, instead, is that they would prefer to to fit in, make a lot of money, and help animals or the environment.   Girls not only don't want to be leaders, but don't believe that they have the qualities of a leader, "..such as being outgoing, hardworking and responsble."  The research further told us that they worried about what their peers would think of them if they stood up as a leader

  This is so sad - particularly in this election year, when we may witness the first woman, or the first African American, as President of the United States.   How shocking that this still, apparently, does not inspire young women to pursue leadership roles. 

   The silver lining is that 53% of Black girls, 50% of Hispanic girls, and 59% of Asian girls do in fact want to be a leader.   The research showed that they are less likely to worry about their capabilities.   They are active and engaged at church and youth serving organizations, so are more comfortable in assuming responsibility.    This represents a great opportunity for the minority communities to capitalize on, and a great opportunity to use this enthusiasm to nurture these future leaders.   For caucasian girls, only 34% expressed the desire to be a leader - and this should send out a warning shot to this community.

   WIPP members are concerned about this data and will seek opportunities to use this information to foster programs and relationships to help young girls recognize their abilities and seize opportunities to make a difference in their communities and this country.