The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women (IEEW) is a 501(c)3 non-profit empowering women to grow their businesses, pursue greater entrepreneurial ventures, and become more active public policy advocates. The Institute accomplishes this mission by focusing on education, mentorship, and coaching women in the United States and abroad who are seeking to acquire entrepreneurial skills to help start and grow a business.

O U R   P R O G R A M S

Peace through Business
IEEW is in the business of making a difference! The greatest challenge of the world today is creating an environment where peace will naturally prevail. Nations that are economically sound are in a better position to promote and accept peaceful solutions to conflicts. Our initial program is with women business owners from Afghanistan. In 2008, we are expanding our work in Afghanistan and adding Rwanda.

Peace through Business brings women entrepreneurs to the United States for an intense 3 week course of study at a major university. Following this time in class, the students are then matched with American women business owners for mentorship. These international women will live with their American counterpart for 1 week of mentorship and cultural sharing. At the end of their time in the United States, they will take home with them the knowledge and skills to not only improve their business, but friends hips developed from across the globe that can reach out to them and assist for years to come.

In 2006, Muhammad Yunus received the Nobel Peace Prize for business that engages in micro lending to women entrepreneurs in impoverished Bangladesh. The Nobel Foundation noted that “economic growth and political democracy cannot achieve their full potential unless the female half of humanity participates on an equal footing with the male.” The Nobel Committee further indicated that “democracy – and, indeed, peace itself – is best achieved by channeling simple, if enlightened, self-interest”.

This Institute could not agree more! Marching in step with great minds that recognize this position, and out of the desire to help women entrepreneurs around the world, IEEW encourages Americans to participate in this effort of education, heartfelt friendship, and mentorship.

Power Tools for Women

“If you run a business and are not involved in policy,
then policy will run your business!”
Terry Neese, President & CEO, IEEW

From the stop light on the corner to laws being implemented in your community and around the country, policy issues are a silent partner in your business. Women business owners more than ever need to be involved in their community’s issues. What ever issues are important to you, you MUST get involved. But just saying ‘get involved’ isn’t good enough – you need to know how to maneuver around in the system to achieve your desired goal. Power Tools for Women offers a one day training course demonstrating how women entrepreneurs can make a difference in their communities by tapping into local, state, and federal elected officials AND to be viewed as successful business leaders. A partnership with Fleishman Hillard provides added intelligence to the day on persuasive speaking.

We wish to thank our sponsors for their generous support:

AT&T Foundation • T. Boone Pickens Foundation • Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation • Richard and Helen DeVos Family Foundation Bennett Packaging Inc. • Singer Family Foundation • Brown Family Foundation • UPS Foundation • Pfizer

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) • Lanmark Technology Inc. • Private Donations from Women Business Owners

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For more information on IEEW’s programs, please email info@ieew.org or call 405-943-4474.