WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) is recognizing Mignon Faget and Linda Biernacki - two outstanding businesswomen from the state of Louisiana - today for International Women's Day.

“Over the past nine years, the number of women-owned firms has grown at a rate five times faster than the national average.  Louisiana is among the states with a growing number of women entrepreneurs and business owners.  Mignon Faget and Linda Biernacki are outstanding business owners who have made a positive impact in our communities through their leadership,” said Sen. Kennedy.  “I am proud to serve on the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship where we will continue to work to alleviate obstacles faced by businesswomen.”

Mignon Faget began her design career in 1969 with the launch of her first ready-to-wear clothing collection.  Since then, she has built a thriving company that is dedicated to good design with lasting value.  A fifth generation New Orleanian, Faget has flourished in the culture and traditions of her birthplace and has made giving back to her community a core principle of her business.  She employs many women in a creative field, making and selling jewelry that is hand crafted in America.

Linda Biernacki began her community involvement more than 30 years ago when she started working at a local fire sprinkler company and joined Shreveport-Bossier Women in Construction.  In 1990, Biernacki opened Fire Tech Systems, Inc.  This company offers fire protection to residential homes along with commercial businesses and is now licensed in six states.  Linda established the Fire Tech Systems Scholarship Program geared towards young women whose studies involve the construction industry. Biernacki also collaborates with the National Association of Women in Construction to offer a scholarship through the Caddo Career & Technology Center.

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