U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce™
announces membership affiliation with
Business and Professional Women/USA® (BPW/USA)

Preeminent national women's chamber extending member benefits, advocacy to BPW/USA entrepreneurs

[Washington, D.C.] The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce(TM) is pleased to welcome Business and Professional Women/USA(R) as a National Association Member, and extend benefits to BPW/USA members in 1,500 local organizations across the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa.

"We welcome Business and Professional Women/USA as a National Association Member of the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the High Council of Leaders for the National Women's Lobby," said Margot Dorfman, CEO of the USWCC. "It's an honor to work with a great organization whose contribution and legacy touches every woman in America."

"This partnership - and the others we're forming - signals a new era of cooperation, advocacy and influence to advance women's business, career, and social issues in a positive direction. We're creating the most influential alliance of women's business groups, working to provide greater economic development opportunities for women, and bringing about real change on the key issues affecting women in business," Dorfman added.

"We keep a close eye on organizations and individuals with like-minded objectives, and team up whenever we can to get results," Dorfman said. "We certainly believe the old adage: 'There's strength in numbers.' BPW/USA has provided opportunities for women business owners for 85 years. We're confident our partnership will help open even more doors for women in business, education and the public arena."

"We look forward to working with the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce to increase opportunities for women entrepreneurs and business owners both through lobbying for fair and equitable laws and regulations, and education," said Nancy L. Hurlbert, President. "There are 6.7 million privately held, women-owned businesses and another 3.9 million firms that are equally owned by a woman and a man. We must ensure that these businesses are afforded the same opportunities and benefits as those owned just by men."

"BPW/USA members are also looking forward to utilizing the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce member benefits to help grow and strengthen their businesses," Hurlbert concluded.

USWCC Association Members support leadership and economic development growth for women locally, regionally and nationally. Association members receive the following benefits:

For more information on the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce(TM), please see the organization's full-feature Web site: http://www.uswcc.org/

The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce(TM) is the pre-eminent national women's chamber of commerce network whose mission is to develop leaders, accelerate economic growth and provide a community voice for women. The USWCC, a not-for-profit 501(c)6 organization founded in 2001, is growing through councils and strategic alliances across the U.S. Creating and representing the next generation of leadership for women, the USWCC is women's connection to influence, education, opportunity and advancement. Its headquarters offices are located in Washington, D.C.

The National Women's Lobby(TM), a division of the USWCC, coordinates and advocates for national and state-based non-governmental women's organizations to increase the influence of women in political affairs. The NWL was formed in 2004.

Business and Professional Women/USA, founded in 1919, promotes equity for all women in the workplace through advocacy, education and information. With 1,500 Local Organizations across the country and members in every congressional district, BPW/USA is the leading advocate for millions of women on work-life balance and workplace equity issues. BPW Local Organizations provide members with professional development programs, networking opportunities, participation in grassroots activism, and opportunities to support scholarships for disadvantaged women. For more information, please call (202) 293-1100, or visit www.bpwusa.org.

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