Celebrate Women’s History Month with Sockprints and Women Owned Businesses!
March is Women’s History Month, and as a self-declared women owned business 💃, we are ALL.👏 ABOUT. 👏 CELEBRATING.👏
Keep reading to learn more about why we celebrate Women’s History Month, how women are continuing to make history today, and how you can support women’s advancement all year long!
The origins of Women’s History Month
Women’s History Month began as a single day celebration on February 28th, but became a week-long celebration in 1980 when President Jimmy Carter declared March 2nd through 8th National Women’s History Week. 🎉
“From the first settlers who came to our shores, from the first American Indian families who befriended them, men and women have worked together to build this nation. Too often the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength, and love of the women who built America was as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well.”
-Jimmy Carter’s message designating National Women’s History Week as a national holiday
Since then, women have continued to lobby for recognition of their impact as voters ✅, workers 👩🏫, and leaders in the community and country—leading to the creation of National Women’s History Month. 🧕
Furthering Women’s History Through Businesses
Women’s History Month provides a time to think about the efforts, sacrifices, and courage of women in past generations—and what those actions have done to further the rights we have today.
As a women owned business, we are grateful for the women who have fought for rights throughout the years that empower us, our sisters, daughters, and friends to be the women we are and have the opportunities we have today. 💕
Honoring these women starts with ensuring that women’s history doesn’t end in 1980. For us, this means that–while we love creating our custom printed goods that delight our customers and their friends—one of the things we value most about Sockprints is the opportunity it gives us as two women to own a business that brings joy to others while setting an example for our daughters of what two women can do when they set their minds to it! 💪
Three Ways to Support Women During Women’s History Month—and Beyond
Ready to rally your support? 🙋♀️
We’re including three ways you can support women, not only during the month of March, but all year long!
Supporting women through microloans
Women own over 12.3 million businesses in the United States—accounting for 42% of businesses and employing over 9 million individuals. However, while the average male receives $44K in business loans, the average business loan for women is just $39K. 💔
Outside the U.S., only 1 in 5 businesses are owned by women and in some countries, that statistic is even lower.
Sockprints supports Kiva, an international nonprofit dedicated to alleviating poverty, by funding Kiva microloans for women-owned businesses across the world. Unlike one-time donations, Kiva loans are repaid, allowing the money given to Kiva to continue giving back to more and more women businesses! 💸
Supporting women by buying from women-owned businesses
Women owned businesses like Sockprints fuel our economies, creating jobs and revenue that boost our communities.
According to the Small Business Administration, employment by women’s owned businesses increased 8% last year, compared to 2% for other businesses. Additionally, minority-owned women-owned businesses play a critical role in job creation and revenue—accounting for roughly $422.5 billion in annual revenue.
This March, make the conscious effort to shop small and shop women-owned businesses!
Support the women in your life by being there for them 💕
Finally, celebrating women’s history month is about recognizing the women in your life that have made you who you are today. Taking time to say “thanks,” write a note, or even send a gift to Mom, your sister, or the girls in your squad, can mean a lot.
Looking for ideas? Check out some of our favorite gifts for girls!