Governor Stein Proclaims Women's Entrepreneurship Day

Women’s Entrepreneurship Day

2026

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

Whereas, Women’s Entrepreneurship Day recognizes women-owned businesses for their contributions to the vitality of our nation’s economy; and

Whereas, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration, women own more than 12 million businesses nationwide, employing more than 10 million people and generating more than $2 trillion in sales in 2024 alone; and

Whereas, based on trends presented in Wells Fargo’s “2025 Impact of Women-Owned Businesses Report,” North Carolina ranks second in the country for women-owned businesses; and

Whereas, according to the North Carolina Division for Women & Youth’s “2025 Status of Women: Investing in Economic Opportunity for Women in North Carolina” report, nearly 58 percent of North Carolina women are currently in the workforce and women own approximately 46 percent of small businesses in the state; and

Whereas, eradicating extreme poverty across our nation and throughout the world depends on ensuring inclusive economic growth 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 world;

Now, Therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim November 19, 2026, as “Women’s Entrepreneurship Day” in North Carolina and commend its observance.

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-sixth day of October in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-sixth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fifty-first.