In 1978, Women’s History Month originated as a week-long celebration in Sonoma County, California. March 8th was already established as International Women’s Day, so the week of the 8th was chosen to begin the festivities. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter proclaimed the week of March 8th to be Women’s History Week, and 1987, Congress passed a law to extend the recognition to a month. Each year, the National Women’s History Alliance designates a theme for Women’s History Month. The theme for 2024 is Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. In recognition of Women’s History Month, please see the information below.
- In 2019, women made up 47.2 percent of workers.
- In 2019, women owned 43.4 percent of businesses.
- According to PEW Research, at the start of the 118th Congress in 2023, there were 25 women serving in the U.S. Senate, and 124 women were voting members in the House of Representatives. These include the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Small Business, Rep. Nydia M. Velasquez; the Chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Jeanne Shaheen; and the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Joni Ernst.
Advocacy outreach and resources:
- Research from Advocacy: An Investment of Women Business Owners, Industry Concentration, and Family Composition
- Facts About Small Business: Women Ownership Statistics 2024 (PDF, 71 KB)
- Women Do Know Good Whiskey
- The I.D.E.A. Pavilion – Showcasing Diverse Women Entrepreneurs
Region 7 Advocate Darcella Craven met with Mary Scott, the owner of BusinessRiff, and organizer for 1 Million Cups St. Louis. Craven and Scott discussed how to reach more small entities in the Metro East and educate them on the Office of Advocacy.
(from left to right) Region 7 Advocate Darcella Craven and Mary Scott at 1 Million Cups St. Louis