Governor Stein Proclaims National Business Women's Week

National Business Women’s Week

2025

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

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, women-owned businesses are key economic drivers of our nation’s economy, comprising nearly 40 percent of all firms across the country in 2024, a 13.6 percent increase from 2019, according to the National Women’s Business Council’s annual report; and

Whereas, in 2024, women-owned firms contributed $3.3 trillion in revenue to the national economy and employed approximately 12.9 million workers; and

Whereas, while North Carolina ranks second in the nation for women-owned businesses in terms of growth and opportunities, according to the 2025 Impact of Women-Owned Businesses Report by Wells Fargo, there continues to be a disparity among women entrepreneurs across the state and nation, with many lacking access to financial resources, representation, and mentorship; and

Whereas, the North Carolina Council for Women’s 2025 Status of Women: Investing in Economic Opportunity for Women in North Carolina report recommends investing in women’s education, career pathways, and small business ownership to improve outcomes; and

Whereas, the Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses supports the growth and profitability of minority and women-owned businesses across the State of North Carolina, offering resources that promote economic opportunities, business development, and education; and

Whereas, state government agencies, advocacy groups, and other organizations such as 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 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, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim October 19 – 25, 2025, as “National Business Women’s Week” in North Carolina and commend its observance to all citizens.

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 twenty-third day of September in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-fifth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.