New Economic Realities: The Role of Women Entrepreneurs. Hearings before the Committee on Small Business. House of Representatives, One Hundredth Congress, Second Session (April 26-27, May 10, 11, 17, and 19, 1988).

This document contains transcripts of oral and written testimony given at six days of Congressional hearings on women entrepreneurs, held in April and May 1988. Many of the witnesses were women who run successful companies that they started by themselves, in a variety of fields, from service industries to construction and manufacturing. Other witnesses were representatives of the National Association of Women Business Owners and of groups such as nonprofit economic development corporations. The witnesses' testimony centered on the difficulties women entrepreneurs face in starting businesses, gaining access to capital, working through Small Business Administration (SBA) red tape, and trying to win bids for government contracts. Testimony supported legislative ideas for setting up commissions on women, for making federal contracts more accessible, and for persuading banks to end discrimination. It was also pointed out that corporations and the country as a whole are missing a vital force for economic development by denying some women the chance to move up in their firms. Testimony supported easier access to the SBA, more government contracts for women-owned businesses, and stronger antidiscrimination regulations. (KC)