National Business Women's Week 2024

NATIONAL BUSINESS WOMEN'S WEEK

The third full week in October ushers in National Business Women's Week each year. The observance focuses on the accomplishments of women in business. It also takes a look at the past and how far women in business have come and how far they have yet to go.

Every year, women in the workforce take on stronger, more empowering roles. They run their own businesses, take charge of the boardroom, and build upon last year's successes. At one time, very few women even had a voice.

Today, women-owned businesses generate nearly $1.8 trillion in sales. Of privately-owned companies, women own 40 percent of them and employ almost 9 million people. Their contributions to the economy cannot go unnoticed.

What's important to note are their roles continue to change. When once their place in the boardroom would have been considered questionable, today, it's now becoming commonplace. They're also successful at what they do.

NATIONAL BUSINESS WOMEN'S WEEK HISTORY

Lean Madesin Phillips, president of the National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs (NFBPWC), launched the first National Business Women's Week in 1928. It wasn't until 1938 that the week was officially recognized and celebrated every year since.