Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs (“AWE”) began in January of 1984 at a local woman-owned restaurant. Grand Rapids women business owners attended the meeting to share their experiences and to create a network of businesswomen who shared common issues, interests, and needs. The purpose of that first gathering in 1984 is still an essential element of AWE today.

From the beginning, AWE has had the support of state and community officials and leaders. In 1986, AWE staged Business Showcase ’86, a trade show featuring products and services of West Michigan women business owners. The two-day event drew attention to diversity and the number of area businesses operated by women.

In 1989, AWE brought the Athena Award program to West Michigan. The Athena Award program was founded in 1982 by the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce to recognize, encourage and celebrate the achievements of women in business. The Athena Awards is now a national program. Each year the Grand Rapids Athena Award Program honors a local business or professional woman who has achieved outstanding success in her field and made significant contributions to her profession and community. AWE is proud to have had many AWE members nominated for the Athena Award.

AWE evolved at a time when there were few community resources for small business owners, much less women entrepreneurs. AWE has filled that gap by fostering an awareness of female entrepreneurship in Grand Rapids and meeting the needs at a local level of what has become a national phenomenon; the increasing number of businesses owned and/or managed by women.

AWE has become an important and valued resource and advocate for West Michigan women professionals. AWE provides outstanding educational programs for women at all levels on entrepreneurship. AWE membership gives members a solid support base for networking with other women professionals, and the organization works to provide current information on trends at the state and national levels that will impact Grand Rapids’ business owners.

AWE was founded to advocate, promote, and facilitate growth and prosperity of its members. AWE continues to honor the original precepts of its founding:

	To encourage, support, and promote women professionals and business owners
	To provide a unique networking opportunity among women professionals
	To provide educational programs that will benefit AWE members
	To provide scholarship opportunities to AWE members

AWE-Lakeshore was begun in January 2004 as a sister chapter of AWE-West Michigan. AWE-Lakeshore is a business resource and advocate for Muskegon and the Lakeshore area women business owners and professionals.

AWE-Lakeshore is growing quickly and expanding its range of benefits to its members. For more information regarding AWE’s history, benefits, or how to join AWE-Lakeshore, please contact Stacie Stevens at 616-842-3176 or or view the board member page for more contact information.