Peoria Mayor Rita Ali honors fiftieth anniversary of National Association of Women Business Owners

The Peoria City Council meeting held on June 10, 2025, commenced with a significant proclamation celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO). Mayor Rita Ali welcomed Michelle Rawlin, president of the Central Illinois chapter of NAWBO, to the meeting.

Councilwoman Bernice Gorton Young presented the proclamation, highlighting the organization's origins in 1975 when a group of businesswomen in Washington, D.C. came together to support each other and promote their entrepreneurial interests. The proclamation noted that the Central Illinois chapter became a member of NAWBO in 1979, emphasizing the organization's role in empowering women entrepreneurs across various demographics.

Mayor Ali recognized the impact of NAWBO in advancing women's rights in business, particularly referencing the passage of HR 50 in 1988, which allowed women to secure loans and credit without needing a male co-signer. Rawlin expressed pride in the Central Illinois chapter being the oldest in the country and shared insights from their recent celebration in Washington, D.C.

The meeting underscored the importance of NAWBO in fostering economic development and leadership among women entrepreneurs, marking a milestone in the organization's history and its ongoing influence in the business community. The council's recognition of this anniversary reflects a commitment to supporting women's entrepreneurship in Peoria and beyond.