Governor Proclaims National Business Women's Week 2023

WHEREAS, National Business Women’s Week celebrates the accomplishments of women entrepreneurs across the nation and their contributions in the public and private sectors; and

WHEREAS, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, women-owned firms contributed nearly $1.8 trillion in revenue to the national economy and employed over 10.1 million workers with an annual payroll of $388.1 billion in 2018; and

WHEREAS, despite being one of our country’s key economic drivers, women-owned businesses only comprised nearly 20 percent of all firms across the country in 2019; and

WHEREAS, while women in North Carolina comprised 57 percent of the state’s workforce in 2018 and owned over 35 percent of businesses, they earned an average of $8,600 less than men according to the North Carolina Council for Women and Youth Involvement’s Status of Women in North Carolina: Employment and Earnings Report; and

WHEREAS, the Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses launched the NC Minority Business Development Agency Business Center in 2021 to continue fostering the growth and profitability of minority and women-owned businesses, offering resources that promote economic opportunities; and

WHEREAS, in 2022, Governor Roy Cooper issued Executive Order 268, to further the economic development of disadvantaged communities, improve health and wellness outcomes in underserved areas, and advance equitable and inclusive practices within state agencies to continue leveraging opportunities for North Carolina residents and businesses ravaged by the pandemic; and

WHEREAS, state government agencies, advocacy groups and other organizations like the National Federation of Business and the Professional Women’s Clubs remain committed to improving the lives of women and their families by promoting equality and helping to create better social, educational, economic, and political conditions for women entering or participating in the workforce; and

WHEREAS, we encourage all North Carolinians to advocate and support women-owned businesses and join in celebrating the many contributions of professional women across the state;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim October 16 – 22, 2023, as “NATIONAL BUSINESS WOMEN’S WEEK” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.