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Making a Difference Revolutionizing the landscape of women's entrepreneurship by empowering and uplifting women worldwide, creating opportunities for economic growth, and fostering a more inclusive and equitable society

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THE WOMEN WEDO REACH

Inspiring, Celebrating, and Empowering Girls and Women Worldwide

At WEDO, we believe in the power of women and work to realize women’s full economic and social potential

INSPIRING

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MILLION

WOMEN & GIRLS LIVING
IN POVERTY

CELEBRATING

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COUNTRIES

PARTICIPATION
WORLDWIDE

EMPOWERING

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BILLION

UNIQUE WOMEN
ON THE PLANET

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Educate

Empower

Celebrate

Support

Women in business to alleviate poverty

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MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Driving positive social change and fostering greater gender equality worldwide

WEDO has transformed the lives of countless women, creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond individual success stories

WEDO Impact

Driving positive social change and fostering greater gender equality worldwide

Stay updated on our latest contributions and articles

Turning Up the Volume on Women Entrepreneurs: iHeartMedia Collaborates with WEDO

2025 – iHeartMedia celebrates Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Nov 19, highlighting women innovators and local changemakers.

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WEDO Partners with Dollar Donation Club to Ignite Global Change

2023 – WEDO partnered with Dollar Donation Club to unite resources and support women entrepreneurs worldwide.

WEDO Launches FREE Global AI Education Program for Women Entrepreneurs

2024 – WEDO launches a global AI empowerment program to equip women entrepreneurs with AI skills, confidence, and innovation.

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WEDO Advocates for Bipartisan Legislation

2021 – WEDO helped revive the Interagency Committee on Women’s Business Enterprise Act, boosting support for women-owned businesses.

WEDO and Silver Art Projects Join Forces

2023 – WEDO partnered with Silver Art Projects to empower women artists and entrepreneurs with creative space and mentorship.

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WEDO X Defy Ventures

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2023 – WEDO expanded its partnership with Defy Ventures to provide women with tools, training, and support for launching successful businesses.

#Crypto For Afghan Women

2021 – WEDO launches #Crypto for Afghan Women, using crypto to give 100,000+ women access to capital; $10 feeds a family for a week.

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WEDO Launches the First Women’s Disability Startup Cohort Program!

2020 – WEDO created and launched the First Women’s Disability Startup Cohort Program, now funded by Google, for Startups!

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WEDO Funding Dreams With Opportunity International!

2022 – Partnered with Opportunity International to train over 10,000 women entrepreneurs in India, Nicaragua, Uganda, Rwanda, and Colombia.

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Why We Do What WEDO!

See the latest data about women entrepreneurs in the United States to understand the difficulties and significance of women. WEDO empowers and supports women to alleviate poverty.

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WEDO's Impact Across
the Globe

Read more to explore WEDO’s actions in different parts of the world including SAUDI ARABIA, CROATIA, OMAN, URUGUAY, PHILIPPINES, ZIMBABWE, and more.

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WEDO Saudi Arabia
and New York

WEDO Saudi Arabia and New York empowered women by offering entrepreneurship training, funding, and microloans, while also providing opportunities for disadvantaged girls to attend the WEDO Summit at the UN

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From the UN to the World: WEDO Champions Women Entrepreneurs

WEDO was established by Wendy Diamond to empower, celebrate, and support women entrepreneurs worldwide.

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From New York to the World: WEDO Champions Women in Business

New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio proclaimed Women’s Entrepreneurship Day an official day on November 19th.Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (Nov 19) was officially recognized and launched in 140+ countries and at the United Nations

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From the UN to 144 Countries: WEDO Ignites Change

UNITED NATIONS The inaugural WEDO summit in 2014 was held in New York City at the United Nations, with 144 countries simultaneously celebrating around the world.

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Celebrating the Link Between Digital Art and the UN SDG

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The Pioneer Awards highlight the transformative power of digital art in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through the collaboration between Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Organization (WEDO) and our WEDO Entrepreneurial Arts Education Program, digital art serves as a medium for creativity, healing, and empowerment.

Enhancing Well-Being

Fostering Education

Promoting Inclusivity

Driving Innovation

A Story of Impact

One remarkable example comes from our partnership with underprivileged, disabled girl students from The Riverview School 277Q in Queens. These students create stunning digital artworks that celebrate the achievements of trailblazing women entrepreneurs. Their art pieces are transformed into the WEDO Pioneer Awards, unveiled annually at the United Nations, symbolizing resilience, creativity, and global leadership. This initiative aligns with:

Giving a voice to the underrepresented.

Creating opportunities for marginalized students.

Empowering young girls to lead.

Giving a voice to the underrepresented.

Digital Artists as Social Activists​

Our favorite digital artists are the talented students from The Riverview School 277Q. Through their art, they honor trailblazing women entrepreneurs and inspire healing and empowerment. These young changemakers demonstrate the transformative power of digital art in advancing the UN SDGs and creating a better world.

#ChooseWomen

A movement to educate and unite consumers and business across the world in the name of empowering women

#ChooseWOMEN  invites consumers to  support women-owned businesses  on the  Wednesday after Thanksgiving  in the spirit of Small Business Saturday and Giving Tuesday. Global participants are encouraged to visit ChooseWOMEN.org   — the  largest global directory of women-owned businesses  in the world — to find and support women in business.

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WEDO and Silver Art Projects Join Forces to Empower Underprivileged Disabled Students Through Art and Entrepreneurship

In commemoration of its 10th anniversary, Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Organization (WEDO) unveils a profoundly impactful initiative that has already left an indelible mark on the lives of young, underprivileged, disabled girl students from The Riverview School 277Q in Queens. This visionary project, launched with the aim of inspiring dreams and nurturing the entrepreneurial potential of these students, has set the stage for a brighter future.

WEDO’s visionary initiative has provided exceptionally talented students with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: the chance to create unique artworks honoring esteemed women entrepreneur luminaries. These extraordinary works of art, serving as lifetime achievement awards, were unveiled during an inspiring and motivational WEDO Pioneer Award ceremony at the United Nations on November 17, 2023.

The partnership with Silver Art Projects has been instrumental in providing these students with invaluable studio and artist exposure, allowing them to witness firsthand the magic of the creative process alongside accomplished artists. The collaborative Hands-On Art Project, guided by Silver Art’s accomplished artists, has nurtured the students’ entrepreneurial spirits while fostering creativity and self-expression.

WEDO’s founder, Wendy Diamond, expressed immense inspiration and gratitude for the collaboration with Silver Art Projects, emphasizing the transformative power of art and entrepreneurship in changing lives. Together, they aim to continue cultivating this powerful partnership to create lasting impact and empower underrepresented voices in the arts.

A significant moment unfolded as the heartfelt creations by these children adorned the ‘Survivor Tree’ at the World Trade Center Memorial on November 8th, symbolizing their aspirations for peace and paying tribute to those affected by acts of terrorism. This act of art and compassion conveyed a resounding message of unity and empathy, resonating deeply with all who witnessed it.

WEDO invites you to join us in celebrating the remarkable journey of these students as they continue on their creative and empowering adventure. Stay tuned for more updates and a special event honoring the remarkable achievements of these young artists and our esteemed Pioneer Award honorees.

For media inquiries and further information, please contact: missy@womenseday.org

About The Riverview School 277Q:

The Riverview School 277Q is a distinguished institution committed to providing quality education to a diverse student body. This collaboration with WEDO reflects the school’s dedication to fostering creativity and empowering students to reach their full potential.

About Silver Art Projects:

Silver Art Projects, founded in 2019, is dedicated to supporting, incubating, and accelerating the careers of artists who have been underserved or challenged by access and affordability of studio space in New York City. Through their partnership with WEDO, they continue to empower underrepresented voices in the arts, leaving a lasting legacy of creativity and inspiration.

WEDO x Defy Ventures: Empower Incarcerated Women to Transform Their Futures

Defy Ventures provides training, mentorship, and resources to empower individuals in starting businesses. Their focus on entrepreneurship, character development, and personal growth helps rewrite stories, break incarceration cycles, and build prosperous futures. With a belief in second chances, Defy Ventures fuel passion and resilience, driving social change and embracing entrepreneurship to inspire redemption, success, and boundless opportunities.

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#CryptoForAfghanWomen:
Join the Movement and Transform Lives!

Women in Afghanistan are facing a crisis and need YOUR help! Following the US withdrawal and the transition to the new government, Afghan women and children are extremely vulnerable and in dire need of financial resources. WEDO (The Women’s Entrepreneurship Organization) has been active in Afghanistan since 2014 and is partnering with OpenGrants.io to answer this need through a new initiative, #CryptoForAghanWomen.
This is where YOU come in! By donating just $10, the price of a Starbucks coffee and dessert, you can feed a family in Afghanistan for one week. Together, we can make a difference, so please join us and donate whatever you can! This innovative program provides 100,000 Afghan women food for a week through the creative means of the cryptocurrency peer to peer ecosystem, allowing for full traceability and transparency. The use of blockchain cryptocurrency gives Afghan women the financial resources they need without having to rely on the fragile banking system. The mission of the Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Organization is to support positive social and economic change from the ground up (especially for those 2.5 Billion people unbanked, who are mostly impoverished women) and to celebrate, empower, and support women entrepreneurs! WEDO, through its global female network, connections and resources, has created this initiative to offer an efficient means to quickly provide aid to Afghan women through immediate access to cryptocurrency. The Crypto For Afghan Women program has been launched to support the Women of Afghanistan during this disruptive and destabilizing time. Afghan women and children have been disproportionately affected by the humanitarian crisis and are now desperately facing a growing food crisis. Crypto For Afghan Women is the best solution to provide the quickest means of direct financial support to the Women of Afghanistan during this difficult time. Through the Open Grants system, each woman will receive $10 in cryptocurrency through a digital wallet that will allow her to feed her family for the week.
The goals of this program are to:
  1. Provide women with immediate access to capital
  2. Support continued economic development and opportunity to women in Afghanistan
Website: give.exchange
We would love your support! Volunteer! Anything! To connect, please email us at missy@womenseday.org.
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WEDO Launches the First Women’s Disability Startup Cohort Program!

WEDO, The Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Organization, and it’s Founder, Wendy Diamond, initiated the first ever, “Women’s Disability Startup Cohort Program,” an innovative program specifically focused on supporting disabled women in business while also providing well needed financial resources and mentorship.
The powerful 2020 Oscar-nominated documentary “Crip Camp” opened the public’s eyes to the social, economic, and political challenges many people with disabilities continue to face. The film spotlights a New York summer camp for children with disabilities, and how it motivated many camp attendees to become leaders of the disability rights movement.
Deeply moved by the film, Wendy Diamond, WEDO Founder, was immediately inspired into action by inviting Judy Heumann, one of the film’s featured activists to a live interview at the WEDO 2020 Virtual Summit. Judy, featured on the cover of TIME Magazine for her work by focusing on women with disabilities, shared her passion for normalizing disabled women into society. With over 61 million Americans dealing with disabilities today, Judy has committed her entire life to advocating and advancing the rights and quality of life for all disabled people.
Their dynamic conversation at the WEDO2020 Summit led Wendy to create a startup cohort for women with disabilities, soliciting financial support from WEDO Board Member Loreen Arbus, (whose family funded the United Cerebral Palsy Foundation.) Loreen, whose lifelong mission has been fighting for the disabled and marginalized members of society, generously committed to funding the cohort. Searching for the ideal partner for the program, Judy introduced Wendy to Diego Mariscal, CEO of 2Gether International, an organization that supports entrepreneurs with disabilities. Diego clearly saw the immense value in Wendy’s vision. Together they joined forces and launched the first-ever – Women’s Disability Startup Cohort Program!
On July 26, 2021—on the 31st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act is the date when the Women’s Cohort Pitch Competition was held and pioneering history was made! Six women entrepreneurs with disabilities presented their products and services to a panel of judges for an opportunity to win funding and mentorship.
Wendy’s innovative initiative directly led to Google funding a new $300,000 tech cohort. Diego Mariscal was overwhelmed by the support and generosity, exclaimed “The ripple effect of the friendship and generosity from Wendy and Loreen has been truly transformational both for me and for the organization. I can’t wait for us to change many more lives together.”
The Women’s Disability Startup Cohort Program became a reality for disabled women around the globe thanks to Wendy’s tireless drive and determination to make things happen along with Judy’s inspirational participation in the WEDO Summit. This life changing program clearly demonstrates the significant impact the WEDO connections continue to have upon society and women in business.
When women support women, there is an undeniable and powerful impact where the entire  world wins!
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WEDO Funding Dreams With Opportunity International!

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Why We Do What WEDO! Data and Statistics

  • Women currently make up less than 4.2% of Fortune 500 CEOs in the United States
  • According to Oxfam International in 2020 alone, women around the world lost more than 64 million jobs, the equivalent of 5% of all the total jobs held by women globally. Loss of jobs due to the pandemic cost women around the world at least $800 billion in earnings, a figure that is more than the combined GDP of 98 countries!
  • Women-owned businesses are set to grow 90% over the next 5 years, with 500,000 new businesses in the U.S. alone each year!
  • Chocolate chip cookies, computer code, Kevlar (the bullet-proof material for protective vests, etc.) and the windshield wiper all have something special in common: THEY WERE INVENTED BY WOMEN!
  • An educated woman is one of the single most powerful forces for change on this planet. Economists have discovered that “the girl effect” occurs when you empower a young girl with a long-term education, she devotes 90% of her greater earning potential back to her family, the education of her children, and building her local community, which elevates her family from poverty and changes her world.
  • Women have a 97% repayment rate for micro-loans which make them ideal candidates for starting small businesses.
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WEDO's Impact Across the Globe: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs Through Education and Opportunity

WEDO SAUDI ARABIA hosted a nation-wide entrepreneurship training program for 60,000 female college students and  early-stage entrepreneurs. 25 young women received funding to launch their own businesses. WEDO NEW YORK sponsored disadvantaged girl students from Restart Academy to attend the WEDO Summit at the United Nations. ReStart Academy provides educational services for 13–21 year old students in transitional settings, including juvenile justice, substance use treatment, mental/behavioural health treatment, hospitals, social services agencies, and other temporary or involuntary settings. Our goal was to help make their dreams come true by giving these enthused young girls the exposure and opportunity to be inspired and network with successful women leaders, entrepreneurs, and business game changers! WEDO believes in the necessary knowledge of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) for success in the future tech industries. WEDO NEW YORK – During the WEDO Summit  in the United Nations’ Delegates Dining Room, WEDO donated 1000 microloans to impoverished women to be economically empowered to start their own businesses through a partnership with Opportunity International, to administer the loans.

WEDO NEW YORK, OMAN, CROATIA , URUGUAY, PHILIPPINES, COLOMBIA, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, YANGON, SAN FRANCISCO, MYANMAR, MINNEAPOLIS

WEDO NEW YORK sponsored 50 disadvantaged girls to attend the WORLD SCIENCE FESTIVAL
WEDO OMAN announced an initiative to empower women and girls by using their votes against arranged marriages.
WEDO CROATIA sponsored donating one scholarship of 10,000 Kuna to a female entrepreneur for a Business Management degree.
WEDO URUGUAY, in partnership with a local university, offered 20 scholarships to the girls present at the WEDO summit.
WEDO PHILIPPINES educated 1000 rural women with financial literacy – all over the world WEDO’s Ambassador team is making an impact!
WEDO COLOMBIA provided 200 women Entrepreneurs for legal and accounting advice to enhance their start-ups.
WEDO TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO have created the largest business directory with 250 women owned businesses.
WEDO ZIMBABWE in partnership with Masvingo Polytechnic, trained and funded 15 impoverished women to create their own soap enterprises
WEDO YANGON, MYANMAR sponsored 20 women business grants and 50 rural women financial literacy training.
WEDO MINNEAPOLIS has donated $12K to the Women’s Foundation Initiative Innovators and Programme and $12K into leadership in economic opportunity programme for women of colour, indigenous women and the LGBTQ community in greater Minnesota.
WEDO SAN FRANCISCO presented 20 disadvantaged girls scholarships for a summer dance program. WEDO Idaho funded 25 high school students to participate in a business pitch competition.
All over the world WEDO’s Ambassador Team is making an impact by empowering women and girls globally!
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WEDO Saudi Arabia and New York: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs Nationwide Through Training, Funding, and Inspirational Opportunities

WEDO SAUDI ARABIA hosted a nation-wide entrepreneurship training program for 60,000 female college students and  early-stage entrepreneurs. 25 young women received funding to launch their own businesses. WEDO NEW YORK sponsored disadvantaged girl students from Restart Academy to attend the WEDO Summit at the United Nations. ReStart Academy provides educational services for 13–21 year old students in transitional settings, including juvenile justice, substance use treatment, mental/behavioural health treatment, hospitals, social services agencies, and other temporary or involuntary settings. Our goal was to help make their dreams come true by giving these enthused young girls the exposure and opportunity to be inspired and network with successful women leaders, entrepreneurs, and business game changers! WEDO believes in the necessary knowledge of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) for success in the future tech industries. WEDO NEW YORK – During the WEDO Summit  in the United Nations’ Delegates Dining Room, WEDO donated 1000 microloans to impoverished women to be economically empowered to start their own businesses through a partnership with Opportunity International, to administer the loans.
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2013 - A Catalytic Moment in History: The Birth of Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Organization

A Catalytic Moment in History: The Birth of Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Organization

The inspiration for Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (WEDO) was born in an unlikely place—the murder capital of the world at the time, Honduras. There, Wendy Diamond witnessed both the immense challenges women face and their extraordinary resilience. She uncovered a startling reality: 388 million women live in poverty worldwide. 

In Honduras, she met women who had received microloans—just a few hundred dollars—that gave them the opportunity to launch businesses, support their families, and transform their communities. Against all odds, these women repaid their loans at an astounding 98% rate, proving that when women are given a chance, they don’t just survive—they thrive.

At the same time, Wendy discovered another shocking reality: only 1% of venture capital dollars went to women. And while there were days dedicated to honoring everything from turtles to bubble baths, there was no day anywhere in the world dedicated to celebrating, supporting, or recognizing women entrepreneurs. Governments, corporations, and media gave women in business little to no acknowledgment.

Wendy saw the injustice—and the opportunity. As she explains, “There’s World Turtle Day, there’s Bubble Bath Day, but there was no day to empower, support, and celebrate women. So I created Women’s Entrepreneurship Day.”

The creation of Women’s Entrepreneurship day was more than symbolic—it was a catalytic moment in history. Launched at the United Nations, WEDO put women entrepreneurs on the global stage for the first time, advocating for their recognition.

Today, WEDO is celebrated in 144 countries and every U.S. state, in official partnership with the U.S. State Department, and led by a powerful grassroots network of over 300 WEDO Ambassadors worldwide. These Ambassadors—spanning government, business, and civil society—work tirelessly in their regions to empower women entrepreneurs with mentorship, resources, and opportunities.

Through WEDO, women are recognized as innovators, job creators, and agents of change—driving progress, uplifting communities, and rewriting the rules for generations to come.

WEDO – Women Entrepreneurs Do Make A Difference – is more than a day. It is a global movement proving that when women rise, we all rise.

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2014 - Women Entrepreneurs Take Center Stage at the UN's First Ever WEDO Summit Meeting

On Wednesday, November 19, 2014, the world united in solidarity for the first-ever Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Summit, a historic movement celebrating, supporting, and empowering women entrepreneurs around the world. Held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, the event was made possible through the visionary leadership of WEDO founder Wendy Diamond, in partnership with the United Nations Foundation and leading sponsors including PwC, BNP Paribas, Nestlé, and Microsoft. To reach a global audience, the event was live-streamed in 144 countries, making it the largest worldwide celebration of women innovators and job creators at the time.

Wendy Diamond explained the significance of the occasion: “Partnering with the United Nations Foundation elevated our mission from a spark to a global flame. Together, we are igniting a worldwide movement to uplift and invest in women entrepreneurs who are transforming our world with purpose and impact.” She emphasized, “Empowering women worldwide and investing in their futures helps drive and promote economic vitality and security locally and globally. By working with partners like the UN Foundation, we ensure women’s entrepreneurship is a global priority—today and every day.”

The event brought together dignitaries, entrepreneurs, and changemakers from 144 countries, creating a global platform to share inspiring stories of resilience, creativity, and leadership. Attendees included world leaders, innovators, and prominent figures such as Princess Reema Bint Bandar, Kathy Calvin, Sophia Bush, Sandy Lerner, Tamara Mellon, Gabriela Isler, Mama Sarah Obama, Icona Pop, and Quvenzhané Wallis. Their presence highlighted the critical role women play in driving economic growth, innovation, and social impact worldwide.

Beyond celebration, WEDO launched the Time, Talent & Treasure pledge, encouraging individuals to support women-owned businesses and initiatives. The initiative underscored the ripple effect of investing in women: when women thrive, communities, families, and economies flourish. The movement also inspired the WED Student Ambassador and Global Ambassador initiatives, engaging students and leaders across the world to take action locally while connecting to a broader network of women entrepreneurs.

The global launch of WED marked the beginning of a lasting movement, uniting voices, amplifying leadership, and driving real change. As Wendy Diamond noted, “By empowering one woman, we create ripple effects that strengthen families, communities, and entire economies. The work begins here, but its impact is limitless.” Today, WEDO continues to celebrate, support, and empower women entrepreneurs worldwide, proving that women entrepreneurs do make a difference.

WEDO – Women Entrepreneurs Do Make A Difference
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