Press Release

IBM Accepts Center for Women’s Business Research Award

Center for Women’s Business Research  ·  May 26, 2004

The Center established the Leading by Example Award in 2003 to recognize individuals or organizations that are enlarging the possibilities for women business owners. The recipients of this award set the standard for others by demonstrating the courage and leadership to be a role model for other women or by initiating programs and policies that unleash the full economic potential and power of women entrepreneurs. The first award was presented last year to the U.S. Secretary of Labor, Elaine L. Chao.

“As the movement of women into business ownership began to accelerate two decades ago, IBM led the way in recognizing the potential of women’s entrepreneurship and providing the broad support to prepare women for success as business owners. IBM was a very early mover,” said Marjorie Alfus, President of ALFAM Enterprises LLC and vice chair of corporate relations, Center for Women’s Business Research, who presented the award. “When others still doubted the importance of the women business owners market, IBM provided support for the networks that helped women learn to lead growing businesses. By supporting women business owners, IBM set the standard and provided the role model for other corporations to also establish women business owner initiatives,” continued Alfus.

The Corporate Leading by Example Award was accepted by Marilyn D. Johnson, Vice President of Market Development, IBM Corporation.

“We are pleased to receive this honor because it recognizes IBM’s leadership to address women business owners as a unique market segment with tailored communications and a go-to-market strategy,” said Johnson. “IBM will continue to invest in, develop and partner with women business owners who represent one of the fastest growing business segments in the U.S. as well as many other countries.”

The Center for Women’s Business Research congratulates and thanks IBM for its many years of contributions to unleashing the economic potential of women business owners and their enterprises.

###

Center for Women’s Business Research Center for Women’s Business Research is the premier source of knowledge about women business owners and their enterprises worldwide. The Center’s mission is to unleash the economic potential of women entrepreneurs by conducting research, sharing information and increasing knowledge about this fast-growing sector of the economy.

Since 1989, the Center has generated research-based intelligence that has helped public- and private-sector leaders, advocates, and individual women business owners make informed strategic decisions for generating greater business opportunities.

Research Summaries by Date  ·  Research Summaries by Topic