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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