Inspired Beginnings

In 1994, Andrea Silbert returned to her hometown of Boston, ignited by a transformative two-year expedition through the vibrant cultures of South America. With her newfound perspective, she was determined to make a difference. Armed with a bold vision, Andrea aimed to create a non-profit micro-lending institution dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs. Partnering with co-founder Susan Hammond, she set out to build an inclusive community where women from all walks of life could flourish and realize their dreams.

Their mission transcended traditional financial assistance. They understood that success for women entrepreneurs hinged on education and training. For those economically disadvantaged and lacking formal business knowledge, education emerged as the key ingredient—enabling them to achieve economic self-sufficiency, break free from the grips of poverty, and cultivate the skills necessary to launch and grow prosperous businesses.

Founding of CWE

On October 23, 1995, a remarkable endeavor took shape as the Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE) officially opened its doors in Boston. Supported by generous grants from the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Bank of Boston, and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, CWE began its journey in a small, donated space at Northeastern University. With an initial budget of just $350,000 and a dedicated team of three, CWE started serving a few hundred women, laying the groundwork for something truly extraordinary.

Under Andrea Silbert's visionary leadership, CWE quickly gained momentum, reaching over 500 women in its first year—a clear indication that the community was ready for change.

Expanding Services for Greater Impact

By 1998, CWE had pioneered the CWE Women's Venture Center, a groundbreaking initiative designed to help women entrepreneurs access the equity capital they needed to launch their ventures. They also established a partnership with the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), positioning CWE as New England's regional advocate for women's business certification and supplier procurement opportunities between women-owned businesses, Fortune 500 companies, and the U.S. Government.

In 1999, CWE launched the Community Entrepreneurs Program (CEP), which focused on the unique challenges faced by low-income women launching home-based businesses. Understanding that many of these women were single mothers, CWE went above and beyond by providing transportation and childcare during classes. Both the Women’s Venture Center and the CEP became national models for empowerment, showcasing how targeted support could make a significant difference.

Expanding Locations and Partnerships

In 1999, the Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE) expanded its footprint by opening an office in Worcester, Massachusetts, with the support of Congressman Jim McGovern and various local stakeholders. This initiative received initial funding from the Commonwealth, the City of Worcester, and the Greater Worcester Community Foundation. Through dedication and hard work, the Worcester office successfully secured a significant 5-year, $150,000 grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration, enabling it to broaden its impact in the community.

Building on this momentum, CWE launched a regional office in Providence, Rhode Island, in February 2000. This office was similarly funded by a grant from the U.S. SBA, along with matching contributions from the Human Resources Investment Council of Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Foundation, and Fleet Bank. The establishment of these regional offices marked a significant milestone in CWE's mission to support women entrepreneurs and foster economic growth in the region.

New Programs

In 2000, CWE hosted its inaugural Springboard Venture Capital Forum at Harvard Business School—a groundbreaking platform designed exclusively for women-led firms. This event not only connected entrepreneurs with investors but also shattered barriers, creating pathways to success.

The organization continued to evolve, and in 2001, CWE integrated the Community Entrepreneurs Program (CEP) into comprehensive start-up courses. This approach ensured that women entrepreneurs received support tailored to every stage of their business journey. Intensive one-on-one consulting and loan packaging services emerged as essential tools for growth.

New Leadership

In 2004, a new chapter unfolded as Andrea Silbert stepped down after nearly nine years of dedicated leadership. The organization welcomed Donna Mullen Good at the helm, a Massachusetts native with extensive experience in politics, government, nonprofit management, and fundraising. Donna’s steadfast commitment to CWE's original vision, combined with her passion for positive change, propelled the organization forward, solidifying its role as a powerful advocate for women's empowerment. In 2008, Susan Rittscher succeeded her, bringing 17 years of experience as a YMCA CEO and a fervor for creating new opportunities for women, reinforcing CWE's mission, and expanding its offerings.

Dream Builders

In 2012, CWE launched the ambitious $1 million Dream Builders Campaign, designed to empower future entrepreneurs through Community Classrooms, Online Learning platforms, and a robust Mentor Program. By 2014, CWE proudly announced that it had surpassed its fundraising goal, raising an impressive $1.411 million, which further fueled its mission.

Now Serving New Hampshire

CWE was proud to be chosen by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish and run the Women's Business Center in New Hampshire. The official opening of CWE's fourth SBA Women's Business Center took place on Monday, June 29, 2015, in Nashua, NH. The event at the 30 Temple Street location brought together clients, board members, volunteers, and staff from all the centers, along with women entrepreneurs, organizations, and representatives from state and local governments. 

20th Anniversary Year Sees the Awarding of the Vermont Women's Business Center

CWE celebrated it's 20th Anniversary in 2015 with events throughout the year.  The year culminated with the announcement that the Center for Women & Enterprise was selected to operate the Women's Business Center for Vermont in partnership with the SBA.

Veterans Business Outreach Center of New England (VBOC of NE)
 

In 2016, CWE proudly expanded its mission to New England by launching the Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) of New England in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration. This initiative was designed to empower veterans, active-duty service members, and their families by providing essential resources and support for starting and managing their own businesses. The VBOC of New England covers a broad region, serving veterans throughout Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Through this partnership, CWE is committed to ensuring that those who have served our country receive the guidance and tools necessary for entrepreneurial success.

A New Era

In 2019, the Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE) marked its 24th year with a significant transition in leadership. After a remarkable decade of dedicated service, Susan Rittscher announced her retirement as CEO. Under her guidance, CWE made an incredible impact, providing training and counseling to over 31,300 women and men, creating 27,800 jobs, and helping entrepreneurs generate more than $800 million in wages. Through initiatives like the Community Classrooms program, CWE delivered essential entrepreneurship education to over 60 cities and towns, reaching aspiring and established entrepreneurs where it was needed the most.

As CWE moved forward, the Board of Directors proudly appointed Gabrielle King Morse (Gaby) as the new President & CEO in early 2019. Gaby brings over 25 years of experience leading both non-profit and for-profit organizations, with the past 17 years dedicated to impactful social enterprises such as Discovering Justice, City Year, Crossroads for Kids, and uAspire. Her deep commitment to economic empowerment, combined with her expertise in building strong organizations, positions CWE to elevate its impact across New England in the years to come.

25th Anniversary Year Begins with the Relocation of Eastern MA and New Hampshire Centers

As the dawn of a new era approached, CWE was celebrating its 25th anniversary—a milestone marked by transformation and innovation. The journey began with a series of strategic relocations, breathing new life into the organization. The Eastern MA Center relocated within the heart of Boston, a shift that not only optimized resources but also embraced the flexibility of remote work. Meanwhile, the New Hampshire Center embarked on its own adventure, migrating from Nashua to Manchester. This relocation was more than a change of address; it was a deliberate effort to streamline operations and free up funds for future initiatives that would empower women across the region.

Rising to the Challenge, Navigating the Pandemic

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic brought forth a unique set of challenges and opportunities for our organization. As CWE transitioned to remote work, the principles of self-care, empathy, and adaptability became more important than ever. 

During this period, technology emerged as a vital tool in ensuring the continuity of our services. We adopted online learning platforms and virtual meetings, enabling us to expand our reach and offer comprehensive support to our clients. This shift enabled businesses to pivot their operations and navigate the uncharted territory created by the pandemic. 

Through resilience and innovation, CWE not only adapted to the changing landscape but also strengthened our commitment to helping others succeed in uncertain times.

The CWE Community Hub and Learning Initiative

In 2022, the Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship (CWE) launched the CWE Community Hub, a groundbreaking interactive virtual platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs by providing essential training and technical assistance. This initiative connects women with a network of experts, corporations, and vendors dedicated to supporting their business ventures. It fosters collaboration among diverse business owners, instructors, consultants, and advocates from Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) and the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). Together, we strive to enhance opportunities and advance the success of women in business.

Simultaneously, CWE embarked on a visionary journey to leverage data and evidence for transformative change among women entrepreneurs across the nation. This led to the establishment of the Impact & Learning Department, positioning CWE as a dynamic learning hub at the forefront of women’s economic empowerment. By systematically generating and utilizing high-quality data, we are committed to enhancing the reach and effectiveness of our initiatives while sharing valuable insights with the broader ecosystem. Through this comprehensive approach, CWE aims to make a significant contribution to the advancement of women entrepreneurs across the country.

New Year, New Look

With the arrival of 2023, CWE embraced a fresh identity, unveiling a new logo and tagline that captured its courageous spirit. Extensive research unveiled not just existing perceptions but also untapped opportunities, sparking the creative transformation. The new visual identity was vibrant and energized, resonating with CWE’s evolving personality and values.

Our new visual representation features a vibrant color palette and a striking logo that encapsulates the core values of CWE. This rebranding effort was more than just a change in appearance; it was a heartfelt invitation for everyone to join us on a collective journey aimed at lifting up the women who lift up the world.

As we turn the page to this exciting new chapter, CWE remains committed to inspiring and empowering individuals, eagerly facing the future with determination and hope.