Establishing a microfinance and/or social business in the Washington, DC area that helps people, especially women with families, become independent through creating their own small enterprises.  To enable them to reap the benefits of career success, financial security, education for their children and involvement in their communities.

Muhammad Yunus is my inspiration. He is a Banglashi banker, economist and Nobel Prize recipient who, as a professor of economics,  developed the concepts of microcredit and microfinance. Loans are given to entrepreneurs too poor to qualify for traditional bank loans. Dr. Yunus is also the founder of Grameen Bank. In 2006, Yunus and the bank were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, "for their efforts to create economic and social development from below.”

Books by Dr. Muhammad Yunus

Creating a World Without Poverty: Social Business and the Future of Capitalism

Building Social Business: The New Kind of Capitalism That Serves Humanity's Most Pressing Needs

In the 2012, Grameen American, which serves the needs of America’s poor,  will open its doors in DC after successfully opening banks in multiple U.S. locations including New York City.

www.grameenamerica.com

Dianne meets Dr. Yunus at the Internal Trade Center, Washington, DC