Main Street Monday – SBA Celebrates Women’s History Month

March 4, 2019

By Mary Miller
Contributing Editor, Main Street Monday

Main Street Monday – SBA Celebrates Women’s History Month

March is Women’s History Month and the SBA proudly recognizes the many contributions made to economic development and growth pioneered by women-owned small businesses.

The official theme for Women’s History Month 2019 is “Visionary Women: Champions of Peace and Nonviolence.” The theme honors women who keep pressing forward to end violence and injustice.

Women continue progressing by use of non-violent ways to change their communities and society. One proven, powerful method for positive change has been the ownership and operation of successful small businesses.

According to the American Express OPEN “The State of Women-Owned Businesses 2017,” stats on women-owned businesses show:

• 11.6 million+ businesses are owned by women, employing almost 9 million people, and generating $1.7 trillion in sales as of 2017.
• Women-owned businesses (51% or more) account for 39% of all privately-held firms, contribute 8% of employment and 4.2% of revenues.
• Women own and operate one in five firms with revenues of $1 million or more.
• 4.2% of all women-owned businesses have revenues of 1 million or more.
• 5.4 million firms are majority-owned by women of color in the U.S., employ 2.1 million people and generate $361 billion in annual revenues.

The SBA recognizes Women’s History Month and fully supports, promotes and endorses women entrepreneurs and the start-up or expansion of their businesses. The SBA helps women succeed by offering specialized training/mentoring programs, in addition to SBA loan programs.