Election 2020, who have you hired?

Elected officials pursue votes based on demographic and it’s time for women to use that fact to their advantage.

Census data shows that minority women are voting in predictable patterns. Politicians know your power and you should as well. “Start asking for what you want. Start seeking result for your loyalty.” Congresswoman Maxine Waters declared as the keynote speaker at Summit21, a conference for women of color know for attracting professional millennials.

Women are 51% of the world and steadily becoming a more reliable source for votes. Pew Research Center reports women voting at a slightly higher rate than men at 55%. It’s then shocking to also see no change in the status quo where women are often getting the short end of the stick when it comes to economic growth, freedoms pertaining to their bodies, and under representation in power circles that move our society. Are women voting against themselves?

I say no. I think it’s more likely that our system panders to women. More elected officials are finding ways to include women without truly allowing them to become meaningful participants in the process. For example think about how the elected officials you support talks to women. Think about how they address issues around women. Please take note of women’s issue to which they have no opinion or remain silent. These behaviors matter and you have the power to challenge that behavior because that elected official needs your support to keep their job.

The best part of being in America is the freedom to participate in its governmental process. That process includes social issues, humanitarian efforts, as well as economic opportunities.

For more than a decade our government has had an initiative to award 13% of government contracts to “underserved demographics.” That includes minorities and women. In fact, as recently as 2017 women were reclassified to quality for “set aside” opportunities that guaranteed more government contracts be awarded to businesses that are owned and operated by women.

To this day, the highest percentage our government has EVER reached is 5%. That means BILLIONS of dollars... yes with B, continue to go unclaimed by women owned businesses.

The great news is there are programs in place to prepare more small businesses to go after these opportunities. Again the best the programs yield is 5%...3% has been the average.

June 2019 I had the opportunity to visit Capital Hill and meet with my Florida congress people. The question I asked every one of my officials was “How are local businesses being told about this opportunity?”

When you look at who is receiving government contracts take a long hard look at the CEOs. Are any of them women? If not start asking why...

Again when you think about the elected officials you support lean into this fact and look at WHO THEY HIRE.

Are they hiring businesses owned by women or are they hiring people who look good on paper but have zero to no personal experience with issues from your community?

It’s a fact that elected officials know women are an important voting block to help them get elected but they must also be held to account for the fact that these same women are important partners and they should be hired and paid as vendors.

The next time you see a politician pander for the women’s vote ask them how many women have they hired. What are they actively doing to educate women on government contracts. Ask them if the company printing their campaign materials is owned by a women. If they say no, introduce them to a women business that you know who can do the job.

Months ago I offered a free webinar going over government contract opportunities. I went into detail about who qualifies, where to find them, and just how much can be earned. If you want to know more, watch the free recorded presentation. https://www.vivianolodun.com/webinar

Don’t know who your elected officials are? Click here to find out: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials