Introducing "Why I Care About Public Policy"

By Memuna Williams
NAWBO Charlotte Director of Public Policy 2008-2009

One of the roles of the Public Policy committee for NAWBO-Charlotte is to maintain awareness about public policy among NAWBO-Charlotte members.

This year, in order to help reach that goal, we asked some of our members to submit articles about the importance of public policy. The result was a collection of rich and diverse opinions on the importance of public policy to the members who responded and why they think others should care about it as well. Over the next year, we will hear from NAWBO-Charlotte past presidents Robyn Crigger, Cathy Critz and Elizabeth Miller. We will also hear the perspective of the NAWBO-Charlotte 2008 Woman Business Owner of the Year, Roberta Farnum.

Earlier this year, when I attended National NAWBO's Annual Public Policy Days 2008, I witnessed hundreds of women from 50 states descend on Capitol Hill and use their voices to affect public policy. It was a powerful sight to behold. The efforts to keep issues in front of legislators continued locally and virtually after Public Policy Days.

As a Canadian Citizen legally resident here, but with no right to vote until I obtain full citizenship, I felt unable to use the full power of my voice on that occasion. I realized that in Canada, I exercised and took the right to voice my opinions for granted. My self-consciousness as I wait to become an American Citizen has given me a renewed appreciation for the importance of having a full and confident voice in the political process and in shaping public policy.

With full rights to participate in the political process we can individually and collectively affect the direction of issues such as healthcare, taxes, and the many other issues affecting small business owners.

NAWBO National and NAWBO-Charlotte provide us with tools to learn about, and get involved in public policy in order to exercise those rights in an informed way. For example, NAWBO-Charlotte is affiliated with Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) and its members can sign up to receive legislative updates. Those updates may include information on upcoming legislative votes and on how to contact legislators to voice an opinion on those issues. NAWBO members who are interested in running for public office can get help from the NAWBO Political Action Committee (PAC).

As NAWBO-Charlotte introduces a rainbow of perspectives on public policy through its accomplished members and I reflect on its importance to me, here is my wish: I hope that everyone takes the next few months not only to become more aware of the importance of public policy but also to think about the value of their rights and use their voice to shape their lives whenever they can.