WHEREAS, women contribute to the diversity and inclusiveness of businesses nationwide and are vital to the growth of the economy; according to the U.S. Census Bureau women-owned firms made up nearly 20 percent of all firms nationwide, employing 10.1 million people, generating $1.8 trillion in sales in 2018; and
WHEREAS, in North Carolina, women make up 57 percent of the workforce, and own approximately 35.6 percent of businesses across North Carolina, according to the 2018 Status of Women in North Carolina: Employment and Earnings Report; and
WHEREAS, since the onset of COVID-19, many minority-and-women-owned businesses have closed nationwide, and the gender wage gap remains a growing disparity across North Carolina and nationwide; with women in North Carolina earning a median income of $36,400, an average of $8,600 less than their male counterparts; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina is working to improve inequities for women and communities of color; Executive Order 143 established the Andrea Harris Social, Economic, Environmental and Health Equity Task Force to address the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on communities of color; the Andrea Harris Task Force works to create economic stability, eliminate health disparities and achieve environmental justice in North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses, in collaboration with the Carolina Small Business Development Fund and the NC Institute for Minority Economic Development, launched RETOOLNC, a small business grant program, to help certified minority and women-owned businesses recover post-pandemic. The program already has successfully disbursed more than $15 million to North Carolina historically underutilized businesses and disadvantaged business enterprises; and
WHEREAS, eradicating extreme poverty across our nation and throughout the world depends on ensuring inclusive economic growth that reaches typically excluded populations, particularly women; and
WHEREAS, Women’s Entrepreneurship Day is a movement to support women in business globally by encouraging women leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs to initiate startups, drive economic expansion, and advance communities worldwide; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina recognizes and promotes the advancement of women’s entrepreneurship throughout our state, nation and the world;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim November 19, 2021, as “WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURSHIP DAY” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.