In honor of Women’s History Month, the ASK THE STRATEGIST blog is launching Women of Influence: Leaders Past, Present, and Future. During the month of March, we will feature audacious, awesome women who contribute, or have contributed, to communities across the globe.

BETSY ROSS
January 1, 1752 – January 30, 1836

Betsy Ross, an American icon (source: Biography.com)

It is fitting that the first woman featured today, International Women’s Day, is Betsy Ross. Born in Philadelphia on January 1, 1752, Elizabeth Griscom Ross was the eighth of seventeen children born to Samuel and Rebecca James Griscom. Ross married her first husband at age 21, John, with whom she established an upholstery and seamstress business.

Famous for fashioning the American flag presented to George Washington in 1776 to commemorate the country’s independence from Great Britain, Ross was a successful entrepreneur in 18th century Philadelphia. What makes her occupation an even rarer occurrence is that Ross maintained the upholstery business after the deaths of her first husband, John, and indeed, after her second and third husbands, Captain Joseph Ashburn and John Claypoole, respectively.

While Ross’ legend revolves around Old Glory, and the debate about whether she designed the original flag, the fact remains that this “patriot of Philadelphia,” Betsy Ross continues to inspire civic pride and patriotism.

So, we celebrate Betsy Ross on March 8, 2012 – International Women’s Day – for her lasting contributions as a pioneering woman entrepreneur whose work in the 1700s continues to resonate centuries later.

Fast facts:
 Betsy Ross’ family were devout members of the Quaker Society
 Ross’ family ostracized her when she married John Ross, an Episcopalian
 She was a fourth-generation American

SOURCES:
Betsy Ross, http://www.biography.com/people/betsy-ross-9464205
Betsy Ross, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betsy_Ross
Betsy Ross, http://www.answers.com/topic/betsy-ross

Talk Back: Tell us about the women – past present and future – who inspire you in the comments section.

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Search for 50 Startups with High-Growth Potential Begins with Launch of 2011 Startup Open Competition

Startup Open applicants will have until Sept. 15 to submit their startup moment. For more information on how to enter and the 2010 winners, please visit www.startupopen.com.  

Read more

Today, I had the pleasure of being a featured presenter to a group of awesome women entrepreneurs visiting the United States for the International Visitor Leadership Program. During the session, Women & Entrepreneurship, twenty women from across the globe gathered to hear strategies and insider tips for business success. 

Sponsored by the United States Department of State and Phelps Stokes, the program was a part of a three-week visit designed to:

• Provide examples of entrepreneurial efforts in the U.S, particularly those initiated by women;
• Illustrate the essential role of non-governmental and grassroots organizations in supporting and empowering the development of women-owned businesses; and,
• Highlight the social, economic, and political factors that influence and encourage the development of private enterprise in the U.S.

PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

Participants in the US Department of State and Phelps Stokes International Visitor Leadership Program in DC

Hailing from Algeria, Armenia, Bangladesh, Gambia, Germany, Hungary, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Oman, People’s Republic of China, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, and Venezuela, these women are focused and poised to become great forces in their home countries and globally. 

BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE

Because so many of our ASK THE STATEGIST readers are entrepreneurs, or company and organizational leaders, I am sharing key tips on advocacy imparted to the women during my presentation. There are three types of advocacy every smart business owner should employ on a regular basis:
 

1. Individual Advocacy: The reality is that no one is going to be as excited, motivated and committed to your entity as you are. So, it is important to be a vigilant advocate for your business. Whether it is taking courses to learn more about your industry, researching potential funding, articulating your messaging, or mapping out your company’s overall strategy and operations, you are ultimately responsible for being your own cheerleader and motivator.

2. Collaborative Advocacy: As the old saying does, there is power in numbers. The adage applies to building businesses, as well. Strategic partners and alliances are a great way to increase your capabilities, develop ideas, raise funding and promote your products and services. Allies are great advocates, and can become vital cheerleaders on your company’s behalf. Collaborating to position your company in a favorable way, while increasing your branding and outreach is a good thing. 

3. Legislative Advocacy: Advocating for your business or organization, and gaining strategic alliances will help you go a long way toward sustaining your entity. However, often calling upon our elected officials and legislators is a necessary action, especially if advocacy involves systemic issues, such as education, the environment, health, the economy, and community development. Know who your elected officials are in your community and where your business is located! 

THE PERFECT PITCH 

A special *shout out* goes to Nicole Joseph, founder of Ms. Brafit, who won The Perfect Pitch contest during the presentation. Congratulations! 

The Perfect Pitch: Nicole Joseph-Chin, Founder of Ms. Brafit

 
Visit Nicole’s company website: www.msbrafit.com
Follow her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/MsBrafit 

Veteran Business Training & Outreach Conference

WHEN: Monday, March 21, 2011
Registration starts at 7a.m. Workshops start at 8:30a.m.
COST: $25.00
WHERE: Delaware County Community College, Large Auditorium, 901 S. Media Line Road, Media, PA 19063

A day-long conference for Veteran business owners. Find out how to get started with state and federal government contracting; learn to find state and federal business opportunities; network with other veteran business owners and make connnections with exhibitors, large prime contractors and government service providers; hear from other veteran entrepreneurs sharing their experiences, successes and insights in managing successful businesses.

Keynote Speaker: Rocky Bleier, Vietnam Veteran & Super Bowl Star.

Rocky Bleier’s life story – a gripping tale of courage on the football field and the battle fields of Vietnam – has held audiences in rapt attention for years. Yet, the motivational message behind it, detailing how extraordinary people can become extraordinary achievers, defines success in the new American century. Bleier takes audiences from his early years through his professional career and talks about the lessons he learned along the way…lessons we all can benefit from.

To register, call 610-723-1229 or go to www.veteransconference.widenersbdc.org  

Reasonable accomodations for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested as soon as possible. Please call 610-723-1229 or 610-359-5020 (TDD).

Presented by: Delaware County Community College, Veteran Business Outreach Center, Small Business Development Center – Widener University.

Minority Women-Owned Businesses Forum: The Trailblazers of Our Economy, with a Special Presentation by ESSENCE Magazine
on the State of African-American Women

WHEN: February 15, 2011
WHERE: The Gold Room—2168 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC
TIME: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

PANELS
The State of Play: Trends Affecting Female Entrepreneurship

Moving Forward: Improving the Outlook for Minority Women-Owned Businesses

INVITED PRESENTERS
• Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, Ranking Member, House Committee on Small Business
• Hilda L. Solis, Secretary, U.S. Department of Labor
• Dana M. Lewis, executive director, National Women’s Business Council [confirmed]
• Cathy Hughes, Founder, Radio One, Inc.
• Alejandra Castillo, National Deputy Director, Minority Business Development Agency, U.S. Department of Commerce
• Ana Recio Harvey, Asst. Administrator, Office of Women’s Business Ownership, U.S. Small Business Administration [confirmed]
• S. Lynn Cooper, National Association of Black Female Entrepreneurs [confirmed]
• L. Content McLaughlin, President of the Maryland Chapter, National Association of Women Business Owners [confirmed]

For additional information, call 202-225-8699 or register by e-mail at mailto: DonnaEdwardsRSVP/events@mail.house.gov (Subject: Women’s Business Forum).