Female: Women have struggled for equal putting in politics, business and society for hundreds of years. In fact just two centuries ago, women were not allowed to own property and that included intellectual property. Isabel Master is known by many as the first female of invention in the American Colonies. One of her early inventions, a method to clean and cure corn was awarded a patent in 1715. She was the first woman inventor to receive a patent for her invention but due to the politics at that time, the patent was awarded in her husband’s name. The women suffrage movement in the late 1800s and early 1990s helped bring rights to the forefront and ultimately one woman the right to vote in 1920. Society has come a long way since then, thanks to the tireless efforts of women throughout history.
Gloria Steinem: This wave of feminism in the last 30, 35 years it’s changed enormously because the very idea that women can be entrepreneurs is out there. You no longer have to get your husband’s permission to get a bank loan.
Female: Gloria Steinem started Ms. Magazine in 1971 and is recognized in the national women’s hall of fame for her contributions to the women’s liberation movement as well as her efforts as a journalist, author and speaker. Has a continued political activist, feminist and leading business woman, she has been essential to the changes in public policy over the years that has resulted in generations of women growing up believing they can be anything including entrepreneurs.
Gloria Steinem: Public policy is crucial and it’s crucial to women in another way because we’re the only industrial democracy in the world with no child cares, no national child care system, no national health care system and women need the health care system 30% more than men because of child bearing. So, you know public policy is crucial, absolutely crucial.
Female: Women have overcome many obstacles to finally become a part of the political profits in the United States. It was in 1932 that the first woman was elected to the United States Senate. Hattie Wyatt Caraway set the president for many influential female policy makers who continue to make history. US senator, Hillary Clinton is working to strengthen women’s role in government and their success as business owners. She is an accomplished attorney, former first lady, and 2008 presidential hopeful.
Hillary Clinton: Unleash the potential of women here at home and around the world. Give women the tools to make responsible decisions for themselves and their families and just watch what happens.
Female: According to the—for women’s business research, women who own businesses are growing and continue to grow twice the rate of all firms and they employ over 12 million people in America.
Hillary Clinton: Close to half of all businesses in the US are owned by women. But less than 3% of them have 1 million or more annual revenues.
Gloria Steinem: It’s still true that women are statistically much more likely to start with their own savings, to use their own credit cards, to borrow from friends, it’s still more difficult to get capital.
Female: There are terrific efforts through many organizations that continue promote the success of women in business. And even though their efforts have helped changed the political and business climate for women, they’re still working hard for equality in some key areas, the wheels that have been set in motion by strong women of the past and present who carry on through the women of the future.
Senator Claire McCaskill is focused on the future women in our country and excited about the impact that they will continue to have in the Federal law making.
Claire McCaskill : The democracy as well and it’s striving that there are still I think one of the things you should be most optimistic about is how many young people are attracted to the work on the hill. I was blown away at the thousands of resumes I received after I was elected. And they wanted to come to the hill and work for very little money in incredibly difficult hours. And probably more than anything else, they would need my faith that we still are engaged in something in Washington DC that young people are inspired to be a part of.
Female: When addressing one of the business owners, Senator Clinton shared some wisdom on how she’s overcome personal and professional obstacles.
Hillary Clinton: I think you get up everyday and you do the best you can. Life is not a dress rehearsal and you take whatever opportunities come your way and then you try to create some more.
Female: Today, women are expanding their impact on the way business is down and politics and society as a whole. It’s an exciting time to be a woman and the role model for girls in America. I’m Ivy Hartman reporting for sbtv.com where small business is our only business.
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