Governor Proclaims Women's Entrepreneurship Day 2022

WHEREAS, women are vital to the growth of the economy and diversity of businesses nationwide; according to the U.S. Census Bureau women-owned firms made up more than 20 percent of all firms across the country, employing 10.1 million people and generating $1.8 trillion in sales in 2018, and are the fastest growing segment of entrepreneurship post-pandemic; and 
 

WHEREAS, in North Carolina, women make up 71.8 percent of the workforce and own approximately 44.2 percent of businesses across North Carolina, according to the U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Small Business Administration, in 2020 and 2021 respectively; and 
 

WHEREAS, Black and Latinx women were among the many small business owners hit the hardest by the economic fallout from the pandemic, and the gender wage gap remains across North Carolina and nationwide, with women in North Carolina earning a median income of $43,524, an average of $10,140 less than their male counterparts; and 
 

WHEREAS, North Carolina is working to improve inequities for women and communities of color; Executive Order 268 re-established the Andrea Harris Equity Task Force, with the mission to identify best practices and advise state government on actions that will further the economic development of disadvantaged communities, improve health and wellness outcomes in underserved communities, and advance equitable practices within state agencies that are inclusive of the lived experience of all North Carolinians; 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; to date the program has successfully disbursed more than $39 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 seeks to bring awareness and 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, 2022, as “WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURSHIP DAY” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.