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Self-Employment Up Sharply for Women, Blacks, and Latinos "
WASHINGTON -- Self-employment rates for women, blacks, and Latinos have risen sharply since 1979, according to a new study by the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration. During the period, self-employment rates increased across ethnic groups and gender, with an overall increase of more than five percent."Self-employment provides the main source of income for a diverse group of over 12 million Americans," said Thomas M. Sullivan, chief counsel for the SBA office. "The increase in self-employment rates for women, blacks, and Latinos show that small business ownership can move minorities and women further into our economic mainstream."The report delves into the data behind published figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The study found that from 1979 to 2003 the self-employment rate increased 33% for women, 37% for blacks, and 15% for Latinos. The white rate increased 10% while the male rate increased 2.5%."This study provides definitive evidence for the growth trend we've seen in entrepreneurship over the years," said Robert Hughes, president of the National Association for the Self-Employed. "Particularly strong among women, blacks and Latinos, these numbers help to better quantify the appeal of self- employment and the impact this segment of the small business population has on the economy."The SBA Office of Advocacy examines the role and status of small business in the economy and independently represents the views of small business to federal agencies, Congress, and the president.Visit the SBA Office of Advocacy at www.sba.gov/advo"