Sponsorship Information | See our 2010 Winners | Women's Initiative website
Congratulations to the 2011 Award Winners! Click here to see who won and to rsvp to one of the award celebrations.

Women's Initiative appreciates your support in recognizing the women entrepreneurs who are creating jobs, building their community, and stimulating the economy.

We received over 600 nominations for women entrepreneurs in the food, retail, service, finance and other industries across the Bay Area. The awards seek to recognize women entrepreneurs throughout the Bay Area who demonstrate the following:

  • Have been successful despite the barriers that exist for woman business owners,
  • Exemplify how business ownership and leadership is beneficial for women and their families,
  • Have a positive impact on local community or the community at large and/or
  • Advance their business through innovation.

The 2011 Award Winners will be honored at one of five regional award celebrations in October and November. In addition, winners will be recognized in local media and featured on the Women’s Initiative website and newsletter.

“Women entrepreneurs are one of the strongest economic forces in this country,” said Julie Castro Abrams, CEO of Women’s Initiative. “We want to create a movement that promotes women’s entrepreneurship and makes people aware of the incredible contributions women business leaders make not only to their local communities but also to economic recovery.”

About Women's Initiative

Women’s Initiative for Self Employment is the largest microenterprise training and funding organization in the country.  For more than 20 years, the Bay Area nonprofit has been providing low-income women with the business training, access to funding, and ongoing support to start and grow their own businesses and become financially self-sufficient. For more information, please visit our website www.womensinitiative.org


2011 Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award Celebrations

You are invited to join us to promote women in business in your city:

Wed, October 19
Lakeside Theater at the Kaiser Center
300 Lakeside Drive
Oakland, CA 94612
5:30-8:30pm
Click here for more information and to purchase tickets

Thu, October 27
One Leidesdorff
San Francisco, CA
6:00-8:30pm
Click here for more information and to purchase ticktes

Thu, November 10
Hotel Sofitel
Redwood City, CA
6:00pm-9:00pm
Click here for more information and to purchase tickets

Monday, Nov 14
Round Hill Country Club
Alamo, CA
5:00pm-8:00pm
Click here for more information and to purchase tickets

Tuesday, Nov 15
Mill Valley Community Center
Mill Valley, CA
5:30pm-8:30pm
Click here for more information and to purchase tickets