March is celebrated as Women's History Month to commemorate the accomplishments and contributions of women to American history. It originally began as a local, week-long celebration in Santa Rosa, California after the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women planned and executed a Women's History Week celebration in 1978. Other communities caught onto the movement and hosted their own Women's History Week celebrations until 1980, when President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the week of March 8th - appropriately falling on International Women's Day - as National Women's History Week. Finally, in 1987, Congress passed Public Law 100-9 which designated March as the Women's History Month we know today.
In celebration of Women's History Month and International Women's Day, the Green Business Network at Green America is proud to stand with women and our incredible women-owned Green Business Network members. Comprised of 3,000 businesses, the Green Business Network is home to both rising social- and eco-enterprises and the most established green businesses around. We support women-owned business because of their contributions to a socially- and environmentally-responsible green economy.
Women entrepreneurs are crucial in that they spur social change through their corporate responsibility and contribute to economic development. "Women, it seems, are more inclined to want their investments aligned with their values while men are more likely to compartmentalize - invests in one compartment, moral and political values in another," wrote Joseph Keefe President and CEO of Pax World Management. Socially-responsible investing (SRI) is another way of putting your money where your values are. Much like #VotingWithYourDollar, SRI means investing with the intention of a financial, environmental, and social justice gain.
Additionally, women are an important part of economic vitality: as of 2019, women own 4 out of every 10 businesses in the U.S., where 50% of those are owned by women of color, totaling over 1.8 trillion in revenue. Women also bring diversity to male-saturated industries and inspire inclusivity and fresh ideas. When women leaders inspire other women to become leaders, issues like social inequity and gender inequality are addressed.
We are proud to stand with our certified women-owned members who adopt business practices that protect people AND the planet. They challenge themselves to bring the goals of social and economic justice, environmental sustainability, as well as community health and development into all their activities - from production and supply chain management to employee relations and customer service. Join us in supporting the green economy and women entrepreneurs who are making an impact through their green businesses.
You can find more about our certified women-owned green business members in our online directory.
