two $750 awards each year

Dorothy and Sally- in addition to being major forces in WEDLI, were two of the most important women involved in economic development on Long Island.

Dorothy was with the Town of Hempstead Dept. of Industry & Commerce where she worked with businesses to bring them into the Town and expand them in order to strengthen its economy. She was Chair of the LI Convention & Visitors Bureau and , as such, worked to increase tourism on Long Island- one of the most important industries here.

Sally owned a test boring business and was one of a handful of women in nontraditional companies. In addition to her role in creating WEDLI, she was a founder of NAWBO LI & The Suffolk Coalition of Women Business Enterprises (among other firsts).

This award honors their contributions to WEDLI, entrepreneurship, and the economy of Long Island.

Sponsors:

Judith Beckman was a charter member of WEDLI. She is a financial consultant and stock broker who has been influential in many of the women’s groups on LI (past President of LI Center for Business & Professional Women; board of NAWBO etc.)

Roslyn Goldmacher, co founder of WEDLI is President/CEO of the Long Island Development Corporation, LI’s premier small business lender.

Eligible Recipients:

one of the following:

Deserving LI based female entrepreneur (start up or existing business) seeking to improve and/or expand her business-to use the funds for that purpose or

Deserving LI based female entrepreneur or woman involved in economic development seeking to obtain assistance from Hofstra Business Development Center or Suffolk Community College Technicenter-to use the funds for that assistance or

Deserving LI based female entrepreneur or woman involved in economic development seeking to advance their skills with training from Hofstra Entrepreneurship Center or Suffolk Community College Entrepreneurship Center- to use the funds for tuition thereat.

Deserving LI based female entrepreneur or woman involved in start up or existing woman owned LI business- to help start or improve the business

Pool of candidates:

from one of the following:

• Pool of candidates for other WEDLI scholarships or
• Recommendations provided by Hofstra BDC, Suffolk Technicenter, Hofstra Entrepreneurship Center, Suffolk Entrepreneurship Center, Farmingdale SBDC, Stonybrook SBDC or
• Applicants for LI Small Business Assistance Corp. loans or
• Recommendations provided by WEDLI members or
• Candidates provided by sponsors.

First award:
Company: Madona Cole Originals- “start up” designer, manufacturer of wearable art, home furnishings.

Entrepreneur: Madona Cole- African American woman, currently sells through trade shows and word of mouth.

Funding: LISBAC loan to help her purchase needed machinery, hire part time help and increase her trade show presence.

WEDLI scholarship to pay part of web site development services fom Hofstra Business Development Center to permit her a real web presence for sales and marketing.

Roy Cacciatore/Long Island Business Development Council Award to pay rest of web site development costs from Hofstra BDC.

Roy Cacciatore/LI Business Development Council Scholarship to pay tuition at entrepreneurship center at Hofstra.

Original source: Farmingdale SBDC, Black Women Enterprises.