It’s no secret that women around the world have battled to have a voice from time to time whether it was the ability to vote, own property or start a business. Today, women are breaking the barriers of male dominant industries, paving a road to many career opportunities for young girls with exciting dreams.
As March 8th, International Women’s Day has approached it is important to mark that we have come a long way. It is not to say that the struggle is still not present. Today, women contribute to many aspects of California’s successful economy. In fact, since 1997 to today, women owned businesses have increased by 59%. Making California 29th in the ranking in comparison to other states. Further, over 130 women-owned business continue to open daily in California.
Those very businesses have created millions of California jobs that have empowered our state’s economy. Over $300 billion dollars in revenues contributed to our state’s economic success and women aren’t stopping there. In case y’all missed the fun fact that California is home to 1.3 million women business owners, they are continuing to grow and bring about even more groundbreaking innovations, ownership and leadership from up and coming women in industries. Nationally the picture is impressive too, where women owned businesses and firms are at 11.6 million.1
Women are fierce and competitive! If history has taught any of us a lesson, it has shown that women have fought the headwinds for the ability to vote and to own their own business. Today, women are owners of manufacturing plants with tremendous innovation, and technology, making up one third of jobs in manufacturing nationally, many of whom started their careers in STEM related training. 2
Today women are in many manufacturing careers in California, innovating aerospace, developing cures in rare diseases, and working on world leading environmentally efficient technologies to continue advancing and making California a competitive market.
Women truly have come far in history, but let’s face it, it didn’t come easy. Women have had to fight for that seat for centuries and today, step by step, they are leading the way and paving a path for women to create and have successful careers in manufacturing and other exciting sectors. Women continue to make history and they are truly “making California.” And they aren’t stopping here. They are the shakers and movers of California’s economy.