In 1974, an informal group of women business owners in the Washington, DC area met to trade information about federal contracts, bank credit, and other business issues. Every few weeks, more women began attending the group and it became clear that there was a great need for a formal organization devoted to helping women business owners grow their businesses. By 1975, our founders were organized, named and charged as a national organization. From this rich beginning, our chapter has served the ambitions and needs of the women of the Greater DC area.