Photos from Women-Owned Business Day at the State Capitol

I was honored to serve as Emcee for the fourth year in a row for the Women's Business Development Council's 5th Annual Women-Owned Business Day on May 2 at the State Capitol in Hartford, CT.  

WBDC Founder & CEO Fran Pastore with event co-chairs: House Republican Leader Themis Klarides & Assistant Majority Leader Patricia Billie Miller

I welcomed those who traveled from more than 60 cities and towns from across the state, to let our voices as women business owners be heard in Hartford, during National Small Business Week.

 WBDC client and entrepreneur Mubarakah Ibrahim, Owner of Mmm Pies and Gourmet Desserts

The Legislative Office building was once again the location for the event, which included the Honorary Host Committee, consisting of more than 134 of CT’s Senators and Representatives

Panelists: Patricia Russo, Executive Director, Women’s Campaign School at Yale; Susan Johnson, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at The Hartford; Moderator Fran Pastore; Kathy McShane, Assistant Administrator for the SBA’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership

Secretary of the State Denise Merrill offering remarks
 
 WBDC clients and entrepreneurs: Jessica Hill & Melissa Griffin, Co-Owners The Parent Collective