Definition of Women Business Owner

A woman-owned business is a for-profit enterprise, regardless of size, physically located in the United States or its trust territories, which is owned, operated and controlled by non-ethnic women members.*

Ownership by women members means:

• Fifty-one percent ownership by a woman or women.
• Proof of effective management of the business (operating position, by-laws, hire-fire and other decision-making role.)
• Control of the business as evidenced by signature role on loans, leases and contracts
• US Citizenship or US Resident Alien Status

*Non-Ethnic-Woman Definition
A U.S. citizen who is a Caucasian female.

Our supplier diversity initiative targets certified women owned businesses. If you are not currently certified, please contact the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) at 202-872-5515 or visit their website at www.wbenc.org. You can also obtain certification through your local government economic development office.