WHEREAS, Women’s Entrepreneurship Day recognizes women-owned businesses across the nation, which are vital to the recovery and growth of the economy; and
WHEREAS, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, women-owned businesses comprise more than 20 percent of all firms nationwide, employing 10.8 million people, and generating $1.9 trillion in sales in 2018; and
WHEREAS, in North Carolina, women make up nearly 72 percent of the workforce, and own approximately 44.2 percent of businesses across North Carolina, according to the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Small Business Administration; and
WHEREAS, Black women entrepreneurs are the fastest growing demographic in the U.S., accounting for approximately 2.7 million businesses; however, these businesses and those owned by Latinx women are some of the hardest hit by funding inequities; and
WHEREAS, in fiscal year 2022-23, women-owned businesses comprised approximately 37 percent of the North Carolina Minority Business Development Agency Business Center’s (MBDA) clientele; operated by the North Carolina Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses, MBDA created over 500 jobs and generated 6.7 million in revenue last fiscal year; 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 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, 2023, as “WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURSHIP DAY” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.