U.S. Patent and Trademark Office director wants more women to secure patents. That could add $1T to the economy

(Credit: Courtesy of U.S. Patent and Trademark Office)

Good morning, Broadsheet readers! Karen Bass takes her first actions as Los Angeles mayor, women express concern over trendy A.I. portraits, and we could add $1 trillion to the U.S. economy if more women secured patents. Have a lovely Tuesday.

- Innovation nation. Startup founders and small business owners looking for government support often turn to agencies like the Small Business Administration or the Minority Business Development Agency. If Kathi Vidal has her way, soon those entrepreneurs will think of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Vidal, a longtime intellectual property lawyer (and a Fortune Most Powerful Women community member), was nominated for the role of USPTO director by President Joe Biden and confirmed in April. Since then, she's been working to help the USPTO reach more people to spur innovation nationwide.