The National Foundation for Women Business Owners
Recommends Road & Travel Magazine to White House

Upon my return home, I investigated how and where the White House had found our names. I knew there had to be someone to thank for this outstanding recommendation and I didn't want it to go unrecognized.

After a few phone calls to the White House, I learned that the women's office had called Bruce Rosenthal, communications and public relations manager for the National Foundation of Women Business Owners (NFWBO) in Washington, D.C., for recommendations. The foundation is a well-known and respected research arm to the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), providing facts and statistics to governmental and commercial agencies around the country.

In early 1997, RTM had established contact with Rosenthal to open dialogue on possible ways to initiate research and statistics on women business owners in the auto industry that would benefit automakers. Last July, in one of several letters to Rosenthal, I mentioned that we were about to launch the Los Angeles Chapter of the Women's Automotive Association International and how this organization may serve as a great source for information and research. Rosenthal did not forget.

When the White House called him for references on women business owners in the auto industry, RTM came to mind. Subsequently, the White House called my office and the rest is history. Lorraine Schultz, national founder of WAAI, was also called in Detroit, and she did an outstanding job of contacting members to send bios for consideration.

Unfortunately, due to the short notice, only four members, including Schultz, could make it. Lyn St. James, Pamela Aguirre, and I were each contacted separately.

Nothing is accomplished alone. If it weren't for the contact to NFWBO last year and all the subsequent follow-up, RTM and WAAI wouldn't have come to mind when the White House called Rosenthal. We wish to thank the NFWBO and Bruce for remembering and referring us. It was the first step to our exciting journey and another good reminder that it sure does pay to network!