WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURSHIP DAY
2024
BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
A PROCLAMATION
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 Wells Fargo 2023, “Impact of Women-Owned Businesses Report, “women-owned firms make up 39.1 percent of all businesses nationwide, employing 12.2 million people, and generating $2.7 trillion in sales; and
WHEREAS, based on current trends, North Carolina ranks number two in the country for women-owned businesses; and
WHEREAS, 72.7 percent of North Carolina women are currently in the workforce, and own approximately 44.2 percent of businesses across the state, according to the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Additionally, according to data from the NC Council for Women and Youth Involvement’s 2022 Status of Women in North Carolina: Poverty and Opportunity Report over half of North Carolina’s small businesses are women or minority-owned; 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 (NC-MBDA) clientele, which is operated by the North Carolina Department of Administration. Last fiscal year, NC-MBDA created over 500 jobs and generated 5.6 million in revenue; 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, 2024, as “WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURSHIP DAY” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.
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Roy Cooper
Governor
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this nineteenth day of November in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-four and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.