FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Brenda Jones, 405-516-9686
Brenda@JonesPRGroup.com
LARGEST U.S. WOMEN’S BUSINESS GROUP APPOINTS SCHNACK TO ARIZONA LEADERSHIP TEAM
WIPP Activating Voter Bloc of Women Entrepreneurs in 2004 Elections
WASHINGTON, DC -- America’s largest bipartisan women’s business organization, Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) today appointed Mary Schnack of Mary Schnack Media Services, Inc. in Sedona, AZ as a National Founding Partner.
The National Founding Partners represent WIPP at the national level on strategic and leadership initiatives that bring the concerns of Women in Business to the legislative and public policy process.
“Women business leaders are an emerging power base in American politics that positions women entrepreneurs as the critical swing vote in the 2004 elections,” said Terry Neese, President of WIPP that represents 460,000 Women in Business nationwide. “We’re thrilled to have the active leadership of Schnack directing WIPP efforts in Arizona.”
WIPP recently adopted a We Decide! initiative to activate a new voter bloc of 10 million women entrepreneurs, a diverse group of African-American, Asian, Caucasian, Hispanic and Native American women. Hundreds of women business owners received political and media training and tools so they can effect change within the margins that swing results of national, state and local campaigns.
“We Decide! means this unique voter bloc of women entrepreneurs is not locked into one political party or candidate. But once committed, they will use their vast network of vendors, customers, colleagues, family and friends to impact a change. Women are most likely to activate their rolodex, in addition to donating money,” said Neese.
Factors distinguishing Women in Business as a powerful voter bloc, said Neese, are women-owned businesses growing faster than any other business segment, they are more likely to vote than the general public and are more effective in persuading how others will vote.
A May 2003 report by the Center for Women’s Business Research found nearly half (46%) of all privately held businesses are women-owned. Between 1997 and 2002, the number of women-owned businesses grew 11 percent, nearly double the rate of all privately held firms.
“One in 11 women in the U.S. is now a business owner and this trend has been growing for more than a decade,” said Neese. “The impact of women business owners on 2004 and future elections will be formidable, and WIPP is leading the way.”
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About WIPP:
Women Impacting Public Policy, Inc. is a national bi-partisan public policy organization of over 505,000 members that advocates for and on behalf of women and minorities in business, strengthening their sphere of influence in the legislative process of our nation, creating economic opportunities and building bridges and alliances to other small business organizations. Through WIPP, our collective voice makes a powerful impact on Capitol Hill and with the Administration. Visit www.wipp.org.
