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Women entrepreneurs bill introduced in Ohio House
By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
State lawmakers have proposed a biennial competition to select a woman “entrepreneur-in-residence.”
Reps. Dorothy Pelanda, R-Marysville, and Stephanie Kunze, R-Hilliard, introduced House Bill 103 this week with hopes of prompting further discussion and policy changes to support women in the workplace.
“Even in 2015, women are still facing challenges in the realm of business and leadership,” Pelanda said during a news conference at the Statehouse. “These do not only exist within major corporations but also in politics, in small businesses and even in the nonprofit sector.
“Questions about compensation and discrimination remain, but instead of simply focusing on the problem, I am joined today by my colleagues to find solutions,” Pelanda said.
The legislation would designate the second week of March as Ohio Women’s Week for Policy and Entrepreneurship. During even-numbered years, a new state committee would organize a two-day forum and oversee a competition for women with ideas for starting businesses.
The winner of the competition would be named an entrepreneur-in-residence and would work with others to recommend policy changes to state regulators.
“Our hope is to begin the conversation about how we can further encourage entrepreneurial spirit among women leaders and also craft opportunities for these women to link up and share their experiences,” Kunze said.