NEWSRELEASE
For Release: May 29, 2003
Contact: John McDowell (202) 205-6941
john.mcdowell@sba.gov
SBA Number: 03-33 ADVO
Diane Browning Named National Women In Business Advocate Of The Year
President, Appalachian By Design, Lewisburg, West Virginia
WASHINGTON, D.C. Ms. Diane Browning, president Appalachian By Design, in Lewisburg, W.Va., has been named the National Women in Business Advocate of the Year by the Office of Advocacy of the SBA. She received the award for her outstanding advocacy efforts on behalf of women-owned small business.
"Not only has Diane Browning advocated for women in business, she has actively helped them start, manage, and grow their businesses as well," said Thomas M. Sullivan, Chief Counsel for Advocacy. "Through Appalachian By Design, she has empowered rural women by creating a home-based knitting industry in West Virginia. This is one more example of how a commitment to small business can transform entire communities," he said.
The award is given to an individual who has advanced womens business ownership. Evaluation criteria include efforts to increase business and financial opportunities for women; legal, financial, or managerial assistance; voluntary efforts to strengthen the role of women business owners within the community; and advocacy for the women-owned business community as a whole.
The Office of Advocacy annual awards include Entrepreneurial Success, Financial Services Advocate, Home-Based Business Advocate, Minority Small Business Advocate, Research Advocate, SBA Young Entrepreneur, Small Business Exporter, Small Business Journalist, Veteran Small Business Advocate, and Women in Business Advocate.
National Advocate award winners will be honored during the National Entrepreneurship Conference & Expo, held September 15-20, 2003, in Washington, D.C.
The Office of Advocacy examines the role and status of small business in the economy and independently represents the views of small business to Congress and the President. It is the source for small business statistics presented in user-friendly formats and it funds research into small business issues. For more information and a bio of the winner, visit the Office of Advocacy website at www.sba.gov/advo.
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Created by Congress in 1976, the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is an independent voice for small business within the federal government. Appointed by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, the Chief Counsel for Advocacy directs the office. The Chief Counsel advances the views, concerns, and interests of small business before Congress, the White House, federal agencies, federal courts, and state policy makers. Economic research, policy analyses, and small business outreach help identify issues of concern. Regional Advocates and an office in Washington, DC, support the Chief Counsels efforts. For more information on the Office of Advocacy, visit www.sba.gov/advo, or call (202) 205-6533.