Dear NAWBO members:

NAWBO Buffalo Niagara Honors the Legacy of Congressman John LaFalce, Champion of Women Entrepreneurs

BUFFALO, NY – April 14 – The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Buffalo Niagara Chapter joins the Western New York community in mourning the passing of Congressman John J. LaFalce, a lifelong advocate for economic equality and a pivotal champion of women’s entrepreneurship.

Congressman LaFalce represented Western New York in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1975 to 2003. Among his many accomplishments, one of the most transformative was his sponsorship of the Women’s Business Ownership Act of 1988 (H.R. 5050) – a bipartisan law that reshaped the future for women in business.

As Chair of the House Small Business Committee, LaFalce worked closely with NAWBO and other women’s organizations to remove systemic barriers faced by women entrepreneurs – from discriminatory lending practices to the lack of access to federal programs and data.

NAWBO members played a key role in supporting the bill, including sharing compelling personal stories during congressional testimony. One woman, for example, had to ask her 17-year-old son to co-sign a loan because she had no husband, father, or brother. These stories helped make the case for lasting change.

Thanks to LaFalce’s leadership and NAWBO’s advocacy, H.R. 5050 passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support – 389 to 7 – and was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan.

The law:

  • Banned lending policies that required male co-signers
  • Required the Census Bureau to count all women-owned businesses
  • Created the Women’s Business Center (WBC) program – including the WBC located at Canisius University
  • Established the National Women’s Business Council (NWBC)

“Congressman LaFalce gave women business owners a seat at the table and the tools to build lasting success,” said Patti Mancabelli, President of NAWBO Buffalo Niagara. “His vision, paired with NAWBO’s advocacy, helped open doors for generations of women entrepreneurs.”

Often called “the Big Bang of Women’s Entrepreneurship,” H.R. 5050 laid the foundation for how women-owned businesses are supported and recognized today.

“As women business owners, we stand on the foundation he helped build,” Patti added. “His legacy lives on in every woman who can now sign a business loan in her own name.”

For more information about NAWBO Buffalo Niagara and our advocacy for women business owners, please visit www.nawbowny.org.