HON. GRACE MENG OF NEW YORK IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
This prestigious acknowledgment is a testament to the significant impact these women made on society and pioneering contributions in their fields. Their achievement will be documented in the Congressional Record which will be forever in history.
Ms. MENG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 11th Anniversary of Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, celebrated globally on November 19. In the United States alone, over 12 million of our nation’s 33.1 million small businesses are owned by women, employing around 10.7 million workers and contributing an astounding $2.1 trillion in revenue. These women-led businesses are a cornerstone of our economy, and I extend my deepest commendation to the women behind them. Today, I celebrate the Women’s Entrepreneurship Day movement, founded by Wendy Diamond. Eleven years ago, Wendy launched the Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Organization (WEDO) with an unyielding commitment to elevate and empower women in entrepreneurship—at a time when their vital role in the global economy was still underappreciated. Since its inception, WEDO has led transformative initiatives, including providing microloans to over 20,000 women in need, launching the WEDO Entrepreneurial Arts Education Program for disadvantaged female students, and sponsoring those students to attend the United Nations. WEDO has also been instrumental in supporting the Restart Academy, which serves students ages 13 to 21 in transitional environments, and leading the ‘‘Women’s Disability Startup Cohort,’’ the first Accelerator Program for disabled women in business—supported by Google for Startups. This past year, WEDO launched a groundbreaking AI education program with world-renowned experts, aimed at empowering 1 million disadvantaged women entrepreneurs with cutting-edge skills. To date, 55,322 women have already enrolled in this transformative program.
WEDO has also partnered with Defy Ventures to drive the Entrepreneurs in Training (EIT) program, achieving an outstanding 84 percent success rate among formerly incarcerated women by providing them with a path to opportunity and reintegration. Over the past decade, WEDO has ignited a global movement with over 300 ambassadors across 144 countries, impacting 112 international universities and colleges. In recognition of this extraordinary milestone, the Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Organization Pioneer Awards honor exceptional women leaders who have pioneered new frontiers across various fields. This year’s honorees include Reta Jo Lewis, President and Chair of the Export-Import Bank of the United States; Marilyn Simons, Co-Founder and Board Chair of the Simons Foundation; Suneera Madhani, Founder & CEO of Worth AI and CEO School, and Founder of Stax Payments; Tina Nova, Co-Founder of Genoptix Medical Laboratory; Angeline Mikiri, Founder of Rock Solid Trust and Shekinah Media; Marı´a del Rosario Velasco Lino, Founder & General Director of the Sanctuary of the Queen Bee; Tanis Jorge, Founder of the Cofounder’s Hub and Co-Founder of Trulioo.com; and Helena Christensen, supermodel, former Victoria’s Secret Angel,UNHCR Global Ambassador, and original Creative Director of Nylon magazine. As we celebrate this profound milestone, let us be resolute in our commitment to providing the essential tools and programs needed for young women to not only survive but to truly flourish in the dynamic world of entrepreneurship.
