About USWCC

The nation's only independent (non-captive) trade association representing the business and financial interests of women in commerce.

The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce has a unique impact and is vitally important to the future of business, financial and political progress for women.

STRENGTH
INDEPENDENCE
ECONOMIC PRIORITIES
BARRIERS
LEADERSHIP
HISTORY

Strength

The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce gives voice to the collective strength of women in the U.S. economy.

Using a platform of influence, innovation, and opportunity, we work with and for our members to grow successful businesses and careers. The Women’s Chamber helps women start and build successful businesses and careers, gain access to government contracts, grow as leaders and prepare for a secure retirement.

We advance policies that underpin a positive economic environment with policies, budgets and leadership that support women as students, workers, mothers, executives, breadwinners, caregivers, business owners, retirees and policy leaders.

Women-Led. Progress for all.

Independence

We always remain independent of outside influence, staunchly “non-captive.”

The U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce is nation’s only independent (non-captive) trade association representing the business and financial interests of women in commerce and government. We are sponsored by the interests, aspirations and needs of our members – not by big corporate or political sponsors who would moderate our voice, blunt our work, or compel us to act as a marketing tool.

This independence powers our ability to always say and do what is right for our members.

Economic Priorities

We advance fundamental economic, budget and policy priorities that support women’s economic opportunities, security and family well-being.

Women are an important economic force in America who have, for too long, been undervalued and underrepresented in political leadership and policy making.

For more than two decades, women have led the growth in America's Gross Domestic Product, driven the creation of new businesses and jobs, moved into leadership roles providing financially for our children and families -- and now, we also hold The Majority Vote.

Read our report, "Women'Economic Priorities" online, or download the PDF.

Barriers

Breaking Down Barriers

The U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce provides the gateway for women seeking economic and leadership growth.

For too long, women have been blunted from full access to markets, capital, centers of influence and the tools we need to advance our businesses and economic growth. As individuals and as individual businesses, we have very little leverage to knock down the barriers that confront our financial growth.

The U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce is a highly regarded provider women-owned business certifications to assist women-owned firms to secure access to government and corporate contracts.

Working together, we leverage resources, capacity and clout to breakdown these barriers and open doors for the future.

Leadership

The U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce is respected as a unique and impactful leader in Washington, DC, in business and financial markets, and all across the United States.

Our Co-Founder and CEO, Margot Dorfman, is a visionary leader who has dedicated herself to promoting the economic and leadership interests of women. Her extensive background in business, business ownership, publishing and nonprofit leadership has prepared Ms. Dorfman to set the vision of the USWCC. She is frequently called upon to provide expert testimony on behalf of women and American small business before the U.S. House and Senate and regularly provides keen insights on women's business and economic interests at conferences and for media across the U.S. and worldwide.

Many of our members are active leaders in the USWCC as well taking part in the direction, activities and advocacy of our organization in several important areas including: access to markets (including government suppliers) and capital, political leadership and development of tools and resources necessary for growth and financial security.

Join us and be a leader for all.

History

Year	Topic	Highlight
2015 December	Presidential Endorsement	U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce endorses Hillary Clinton for President: With our first-ever presidential endorsement, the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce is proud and committed to do all we can to pick up the torch carried by generations of leaders and elect arguably the most qualified candidate to the White House. [Read the endorsement.]
2015 November	SEED Federal Credit Union	U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce SEED Federal Credit Union announced: The U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce announces the association is establishing a national federal credit union to provide access to capital, ensure fair lending practices and deliver low cost business and savings solutions to members all across the United States. [Read the announcement.]
2015 January	Access to Capital	WomensBusinessLoans.org Launched: Lending Club and U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce Partner to Help Women-Owned Businesses Access Affordable Credit [Press Release]
2014 December	Federal Contracting	Battle Won: After months of advocacy by USWCC members and leadership, Congress acted to require the Small Business Administration to verify the ownership status of women-owned small businesses participating in the WOSB/EDWOSB federal set-aside program to assure the women’s contracting program benefits those for whom it was intended. Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez and Senator Maria Cantwell stepped up for women. The NDAA FY 2015 also added sole source opportunities to the women's federal contracting program.
2014 September	Workplace Rights for Women	U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce files amici curiae brief (friend of the court) with the Supreme Court in support of Peggy Young's Claim against UPS (Young v. United Parcel Service). This is an important case in support of the rights of pregnant workers.
2014 July	Political Leadership	Launch: U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce launches I Vote for Women. By effectively focusing our leadership, political giving and votes -- we will push past the tipping point and finally breakthrough the status quo.
2014 July	Economic Priorities	Report: The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce details Women's Economic Priorities including details of women's economic condition, issues, needs and priorities.
2014 June	Federal Contracting	Report Published: Accountability in Contracting: The Integrity of Federal Women-Owned Contracting Program At Risk; Thousands of Self-Certified Firms May Not Be Eligible for Set-Asides
2009	Reports	August: The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce publishes the report, "FY2008 Update: Women Business Owners Blocked from Access to Federal Contracts." June: The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce publishes the report, "Healthcare Reform: An American Values Imperative"
2008	Women's Leadership	The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce publishes, "The Women's Ownership Movement, Making History -- the Roadmap to the Future" which highlights past gains and future needs to secure our economic advancement and leadership.
2008	Fair Pay	The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce activiely engaged in the efforts to pass the Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act including meeting with leaders of Congress and testifying before Senator Ted Kennedy and the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
2008	Access to Contracts	September: The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce publishes USWCC \| Report to Congress: Federal Data Grossly Overstates Contracting with Women-Owned Firms. January: The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce submitted comments on the Small Business Administration proposed rule to implement Public Law 106-554, the Women's Federal Procurement Program emphasizing the SBA should start completely with the rule to conform with the clearly expressed will of Congress, the Constitutional requirements for gender-based programs, and following the scholarly guidance that was provided by the National Research Council of the National Academies, Committee on National Statistics and it's published report, "Analyzing Information on Women-Owned Small Businesses in Federal Contracting." January: USWCC \| Report to Congress: Women Business Owners Blocked from Fair Access to Federal Contracts
2007	International Trade	The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce leads an international trade mission to China -- opening doors for women around the globe. Margot Dorfman, CEO of the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce provides keynote address at the International Forum of Women and Power (hosted by Dilian Francisca Toro Torres, Presidenta Congreso de la Republica de Columbia) and meets with Columbia's President Alvaro Uribe.
2007	Legal Briefs	The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce files two Amicus Briefs: (1) Landmark class action Dukes v. Walmart Stores No. 04-16688 in support of equal pay for women. (2) Title VII: Standbridge, Phillips, Fitzgerald, Brand et al vs. Union Pacific Railroad Company -- sexual discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
2006 November	Economic Advancement	The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce publishes a report and holds the USWCC \| National Congress on the Economic Advancement of Women highlighting the economic issues and barriers women face. Dozens of organizations across the U.S. take part in support of advancing women's economic opportunities.
2006 October	Access to Contracts	The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce published a 2006 Report to Congress: Scorecard -- Lost Opportunities to Support Small Businesses (emphasizing the failure of the federal government to provide adequate access to federal contracts for women-owned and small businesses).
2006 July	Access to Contracts	The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce files regulatory comments to the Small Business Administration proposed rule for implementation of the Women's Federal Procurment emphasizing there were a several sections of the proposed rule that did not comply the law as written by Congress, served to raise barriers rather than lower them and did not provide the clarity needed for Contracting Officers to proactively utilize the program.
2006	Access to Contracts	The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce publishes the first Guide to Women Contractors and distributes widely to government agencies and corporate buyers and establishes/provides two important women-owned certifications: IWBE - International Women's Business Enteprise and NWBE - National Women's Business Enterprise.
2006 January	Access to Affordable Healthcare	The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce launches Access to Health: An American Values Initiative including a Washington DC summit and Congressional call to action.
2005 May	Congressional Support	After 1617 days lapsed since the Women's Federal Procurement Program was passed into law by an overwhelming bi-partisan Congressional vote, U.S. House of Representatives, Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez takes the lead in supporting the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce claim against the U.S. Small Business Administration by filing an Amicus Brief. 71 Members of Congress sign on in support of the efforst of the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce.
2005 February	Elect Women to Office	The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce launches Pipeline to the Presidency to focus on clear steps to increasing the number of women in elected office.
2004	Legal Action	October: U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce files claim against the U.S. Small Business Administration for failure to implement Public Law 106-554, the Women's Federal Procurement Program (WOSB / EDWOSB Set-Aside)
2004	Advocacy	July: National Women's Lobby to focus on access to federal contracts for women-owned firms and to highlight the need for implementing expeditiously the Women-Owned Setup program (Public Law 106-554).
2003	Access to Contracts	August: Held first USWCC \| Women's Business Procurement Summit July: Published New Solutions for Women in Procurement Markets February: Launched the USWCC \| Women's Business Procurement Project -- a multi-level approach to create more opportunities for women in the federal marketplace.
2003	Blueprint for the Future	January: Published Blueprint for the Future: Creating the Next Generation of Leadership for Women.
2002	Women's Economic Summits	Held Women's Economic Summits in 26 markets to assess women's economic needs and barriers. Results: Top obstacles - (1) Access to large contracts, especially federal contracts. (2) Access to capital to fund growth. (3) Access to affordable benefits (such as health care) to attract and retain quality staff.
2001 October	Launch	The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce was established as a 501(c)(6) not for profit trade association, headquartered in Washington, DC.