March proclaimed as woman's history month

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Governor’s Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs today hosted small business owners in Prince George’s County to celebrate Women’s History Month and applaud the significant efforts of local women business owners during the Ready, Set, GROW! Procurement Connections Workshop held at MGM National Harbor. Ready, Set, GROW! is a multi-faceted workshop that highlights opportunities to conduct business with the state. Governor Larry Hogan officially proclaimed March as Women’s History Month earlier this month, and as part of the event, five extraordinary local women business owners were presented with a Governor’s Citation.

“Our administration is fully committed to doing everything we can to help small businesses grow and thrive in our state,” said Governor Hogan. “This month, we recognize the countless contributions of women throughout history, and celebrate the nearly 3,000 women-owned businesses participating in our Minority Business Enterprise Program, including the extraordinary accomplishments of the five women business owners honored at today’s event.”

During the workshop, participants from across Maryland received an overview of the state’s procurement programs designed to provide opportunities for small, minority, women, and veteran owned businesses. The workshop also provided information about how to access the state’s contracting pipeline and buyers from seven state agencies were on site to identify current and future projects. Vendors had an opportunity to meet with buyers one-on-one during the open networking session, and small business organizations provided access to organizational, financial, and managerial resources.

“The opportunity to meet our procurement officers and resource partners is what draws small business owners to our Ready, Set, GROW! events,” said Jimmy Rhee, special secretary of the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs. “We conduct these events at venues across the state to engage as many small business owners and entrepreneurs as possible. When Governor Hogan says ‘Maryland is open for business,’ he really means it.”

In celebration of Women’s History Month, the following Prince George’s County business women were recognized for their contributions to Maryland’s small business community and the community at large. The recipients are: