Mark Kelly: “today as we celebrate International Working Women's Day, I think it is fitting that we also celebrate the impressive…”

“today as we celebrate International Working Women's Day, I think it is fitting that we also celebrate the impressive presence of women-owned business owners in our Nation. Women business owners are impressive, wonderful people who are out there helping to generate small businesses that are vital to the well-being of our economy. As a former small business owner, I wholeheartedly believe that we must support these women-owned businesses as an integral part of the well-being of our economy. Nationally, women-owned firms make up approximately 36 percent of all U.S. firms in America. We employ more people than the Fortune 500 companies combined. We will own 50 percent of all businesses in America in the 21st century. In fact, in my State of New York, which was ranked third out of the 50 States in the number of women-owned firms, there are more than 527,000 women-owned firms in New York. They account for 36 percent of all New York firms. These women-owned firms employ nearly 1.4 million people and generate $205.8 billion in sales. Between 1987 and 1992, the National Foundation for Business Owners estimated that the number of women-owned firms in New York increased by 70 percent, and employment in women-owned businesses has grown by 141 percent with their sales rising by 180 percent. However, as we celebrate these women and their accomplishments, it is necessary that we also recognize that inequities exist.…”