Profile: National Association of Women Business Owners-Northern New Mexico Chapter

*NAWBO propels women entrepreneurs into economic, social and political spheres of power worldwide.*

NAWBO-NNM is a learning environment in which members:

• Heighten standards of professionalism
• Strive for excellence
• Exceed expectations of our clients and ourselves
• Support each other

Our monthly dinner programs, educational workshops, networking opportunities, MasterMind groups and public policy advocacy are just a few of the benefits of NAWBO-NNM. We invite you to join this community of dynamic women. Contact us today to find out how we can help you grow your business and how you can help us improve the business environment and the quality of life in our community.

As an organization we:

• STRENGTHEN the wealth-creating capacity of our members and promote economic development;
• CREATE innovative and effective changes in the business culture;
• BUILD strategic alliances, coalitions and affiliations, and
• TRANSFORM public policy and influence opinion.

History of NAWBO

NAWBO traces its origin to a group of 12 Washington, DC, women business owners who began meeting informally in December 1974 to trade information about federal contracts, bank credit and other issues related to their business.

The Association of Women Business Owners (AWBO) was incorporated on July 7, 1975, and in October 1976, became the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO).

Almost 30 years later, NAWBO has 93 chapters and over 8,000 members. NAWBO helps women evolve their businesses by sharing resources. It provides a single, powerful voice to shape economic and public policy at local, state and federal levels.

NAWBO remains the only dues-based national organization representing the interests of all women entrepreneurs in all types of businesses.

How did NAWBO come to New Mexico?
When Judie Framan of Judith Framan Associates moved her public relations firm to New Mexico in 1993, she saw a need to develop a NAWBO chapter to encourage women business owners to work together on issues that affect them and to create a voice and vision for themselves locally, statewide and nationally.

Grace McGartland, then president of NAWBO National, and Judie worked together to coordinate the efforts of chartering a chapter in 1993 in New Mexico. Because of her intense commitment and involvement in starting the chapter, Judie is frequently referred to as our “Founding Mother.”

Founding members still active today, in addition to Judie, are Jill Duvall, Phyllis Boverie, and Lehsa Orcutt.