The Women's Entrepreneurship Day Organization (WEDO) is a nonprofit organization founded by Wendy Diamond and launched in 2014 to support women entrepreneurs and advance economic empowerment worldwide.[1][2] WEDO's mission encompasses influencing policy-making, stimulating economic advancement, with a special focus on poverty alleviation, and supporting entrepreneurial ventures through educational programs, advocacy initiatives, partnerships, ambassadorships, fellowships, and other entrepreneurship-focused activities.[3]
One of WEDO's principal initiatives is Women's Entrepreneurship Day (WED), an annual observance held on November 19 that recognizes the contributions of women entrepreneurs to economic development and innovation.[4] The inaugural event was held at the United Nations in New York City, and 144 nations overall recognized and celebrated the first WED in 2014, which included the presentation of the Women's Entrepreneurship Day Pioneer Awards.[5]
The observance has since received official proclamations and recognitions from governments, governors, mayors, city councils, and legislative bodies across the United States and internationally.
History
Women's Entrepreneurship Day was founded and implemented by Pet Pioneer, Animal Fair Media[6] Founder and Ellis Island Medal of Honor[7] recipient Wendy Diamond,[8] after volunteering with the Adelante Foundation who provides microcredit to low income women while in Honduras. Upon her return to the US she decided she wanted to develop something to help this and similar philanthropic causes. The first day was held on November 19, 2014, and was observed in 144 countries that year.[9] It was described by Fortune as "a global movement to celebrate and support female founders and shed light on some of their challenges."[10]Forbes Magazine wrote that the intention was also "to mobilize a global network of female business owners, entrepreneurs, and change-makers who support and empower this community of women entrepreneurs and their businesses."[11] November 19 was proclaimed an "official day" by both New York GovernorAndrew Cuomo and New York City MayorBill de Blasio, Philadelphia MayorJim Kenney, and Los Angeles MayorEric Garcetti[12] and is celebrated annually at the United Nations and around the globe.
Programs and Global Initiatives
The Women's Entrepreneurship Day Organization (WEDO) supports women entrepreneurs worldwide through a range of educational programs, strategic partnerships, advocacy initiatives, leadership development opportunities, and economic empowerment efforts, including:
Launched in Ghana in partnership with the Women's Commission of the National Union of Students, the Women's Leadership Center was established to provide leadership and governance education for young women across the country.[13]
In Zimbabwe, a partnership with Masvingo Polytechnic provided entrepreneurship and soap-making business training to women, supporting income-generation and small business development initiatives.[14]
Partnered with U.S. RepresentativesGrace Meng and María Elvira Salazar in support of efforts to reauthorize the Interagency Committee on Women's Business Enterprise (ICWBE), a federal initiative that coordinates resources and opportunities for women-owned businesses across the United States. Legislation reauthorizing the committee was subsequently passed by Congress.[15]
Partnered with the State Bank of Pakistan on the "Empowered Women, Prosperous Pakistan" campaign, an initiative focused on expanding financial inclusion and increasing women's access to banking services, credit, and entrepreneurship support.[17]
Launched the Women's Disability Startup Cohort Program in partnership with Google for Startups, the Loreen Arbus Foundation, and 2Gether-International. The program provides women entrepreneurs with disabilities access to mentorship, business development resources, networking opportunities, and startup pitch competitions.[18]
Launched a free global artificial intelligence (AI) education initiative for women entrepreneurs focused on practical AI applications for small businesses, including branding, data analysis, customer engagement, marketing, and sales. According to the organization, the program has expanded to countries including Zambia, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Haiti, and Uganda.[19]
Partnered with Defy Ventures to fund entrepreneurship programming for incarcerated women, providing business training, mentorship, and workforce development resources to support successful reentry following incarceration.[20]
Official Proclamations and Public Recognition
Women's Entrepreneurship Day has been recognized through government-issued proclamations and institutional recognitions across multiple jurisdictions worldwide:
U.S. House of Representatives – The U.S. House of Representatives recognizes Women's Entrepreneurship Day in the Congressional Record, celebrating WEDO's global efforts to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs and honoring Pioneer Award recipients driving the mission forward.[21]
U.S. Department of State – The U.S. Department of State recognizes Women’s Entrepreneurship Day on November 19 by highlighting the role of women and girls in the global economy and connecting women’s entrepreneurship to broader goals of peace, equality, and development.[22]
British Columbia, Canada – On November 19, the Province of British Columbia officially proclaimed Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, recognizing women entrepreneurs and women-owned businesses as contributors to innovation, job creation, and economic development across the province.[23]
Mexico – The official legislative document introduced in the Mexican Congress formally affirmed the third week of November as National Women Entrepreneur Week and November 19 as Women’s Entrepreneurship Day.[24]
North Carolina – The Governor of North Carolina, Josh Stein, proclaimed Women's Entrepreneurship Day, recognizing and promoting the advancement of women's entrepreneurship throughout the state.[25]
Los Angeles, California – The Los Angeles City Council supported declaring November 19 as Women’s Entrepreneurship Day in Los Angeles, recognizing the importance of women entrepreneurs and aligning the city with international observance.[26]
Fredericksburg, Virginia – Fredericksburg, Virginia, officially recognized Women's Entrepreneurship Day through a proclamation issued by Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw, joining other municipalities and government bodies that have recognized the observance. [27]
Norman, Oklahoma – City of Norman, Oklahoma, officially proclaimed November 19 as Women's Entrepreneurship Day, recognizing the observance as part of efforts to celebrate and support women entrepreneurs. [28]
Nebraska – The Governor of Nebraska, Jim Pillen, proclaims Women's Entrepreneurship Day, making it the 30th U.S. state to officially acknowledge the vital contributions of female entrepreneurs both nationally and globally.[29]
New York City, New York – Women's Entrepreneurship Day was launched at the United Nations in New York City on November 19, with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio proclaiming the day official.[30]
Indian Economic Trade Organization – Women’s Entrepreneurship Day was marked through entrepreneurship programming in Bengaluru, bringing together speakers and participants to highlight women’s business leadership and economic participation.[31]
Pakistan – The State Bank of Pakistan announced nationwide programming across its 16 field offices to mark Women Entrepreneurship Day on November 19, noting that the previous year’s observance featured more than 50 sessions, engaged over 1,500 women entrepreneurs, and facilitated the disbursement of approximately PKR 24 billion to more than 20,000 women-led businesses.[32]
Government of Canada – The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) made a statement stating every November 19 we celebrate Women’s Entrepreneurship Day for its focus on empowering women and girls to become active participants in economies in their countries.[33]
Gabon – On November 19, Gabon celebrated Women's Entrepreneurship Day for the first time with senior government officials, diplomatic representatives and financial institutions in attendance.[35]
United Nations Foundation – The inaugural Women's Entrepreneurship Day was held at the United Nations in New York City, supported by the United Nations Foundation, establishing a global platform to celebrate and advance women's entrepreneurship.[36]
United Kingdom – The United Kingdom officially celebrates Women's Entrepreneurship Day, with the participation of local women entrepreneurs in addition to student and global ambassadors.[37]
Global Alliance For a Sustainable Planet – The Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet recognized Women’s Entrepreneurship Day as part of its broader focus on women’s leadership, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development.[38]
Impressia Bank – Impressia Bank was recognized in connection with Women’s Entrepreneurship Day for its mission to support women entrepreneurs through financial services, resources, and business-focused initiatives.[39]
United Nations Development Programme – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) officially recognized November 19 as Women's Entrepreneurship Day, establishing it as a global date to celebrate and advance women's entrepreneurship worldwide.[40]
Inaugural event at the United Nations
Women's Entrepreneurship Day event convenes at the United Nations in New York City including a conference, speakers, and the inaugural Women's Entrepreneurship Day Pioneer Awards.[12] An Education Philanthropy Pioneer Award was given to Barack Obama’s grandmother Sarah Obama, for her work in bringing gender equality to education in that country.[12] Obama was presented the award by actress Quvenzhané Wallis.[41] Loreen Arbus received an award for her philanthropic work,[12] as did to Lynn Tilton.[42]
Shannon Schuyler (Social Responsibility) – Chief Corporate Responsibility and Purpose Officer of PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP (PwC US), and President of the PwC Charitable Foundation, Inc.[46]
Tamara Mellon (Fashion) – Co-founder of Jimmy Choo and Creative Director & Founder of the Tamara Mellon brand[46]
Yue-Sai Kan (Business) – television host and producer, entrepreneur, author and humanitarian [49]
2017
Andrea Kerzner (Arts) – Daughter of Sol Kerzner, Founder and CEO of Lalela Project, Co-Creator of themoreweshare.com, Director of the Board of Kerzner International Holdings Limited [50]
Her Highness Princess Märtha Louise of Norway (Politics) – Author & Chair Princess Märtha Louise's Fund to benefit disabled children[51]
Kathleen King (Culinary) – Founder Tate's Bake Shop[51]
Mary Ann Thompson-Frenk (Civics) – President/Co-founder Memnosyne Foundation & The John Philip Thompson Foundation[51]
Shannon Dellimore (Beauty) – Co-founder & Creative Director GLAMGLOW [51]
Shari Staglin (Philanthropy) – CEO Staglin Family Vineyard, Co-founder One Mind [51]
Shelley Zalis (Technology) – Founder OTX Global Technology Consulting Firm, CEO/Founder The Female Quotient [51]
2019
Wendy Diamond (Humanitarian) – A Social Entrepreneur, Impact Investor, Humanitarian, Animal Advocate, Best-Selling Author and CEO/Founder of Women's Entrepreneurship Day Organization (WEDO)/#ChooseWOMEN, a non-governmental philanthropic volunteer organization. WED, with chapters in 144 countries and 112 universities/colleges, is on a global mission to alleviate poverty and empower women in business.[52]
Hannah Stocking (Influencer) – Global Entertainer 25+ Million Followers [52]
Suneera Madhani (Finance)—Founder & CEO Worth AI Founder Stax Payments CEO/Founder CEO School[55]
BINA48 (Science)—Breakthrough Intelligence via Neural Architecture 48* Humanoid AI Robot[55]
Tanis Jorge (Technology)—Co-founder Trulioo.com & the Cofounders Hub[55]
Tina Nova (Health)—Co-founder Genoptix Medical Laboratory /Former CEO DecipherBiosciences[55]
2025
Jessy Draper (Venture Capital) — Founding Partner of Halogen Venture and Founder of Valley Girl Ventures and Venture Girls.[56]
Howard Morgan (Finance/Technology) — Chair and General Partner at B Capital and co-founder of First Round Capital[56]
Sheila Lirio Marcelo (Technology/Entrepreneurship) — Co-founder and CEO of Ohai.ai, Founder of Care. com, and Venture Partner at NEA.[56]
Gloria Allred (Law) — Founding Partner of Allred, Mark & Goldberg and civil rights attorney.
Rachel Drori (Entrepreneur ship) — Founder and former CEO of Daily Harvest.[56]
Chloe Ting (Fitness/Media) — Certified personal trainer and digital fitness creator.[56]
International events
Additional events were held internationally, including one at the University of Luxembourg, which held a conference that featured speeches from women entrepreneurs as well as discussions between local entrepreneurs. The keynote address was provided by Deputy Chief Executive of the European Investment Fund Marjut Santoni.[8] Other events were also held, for example, in Lagos, Nigeria.[57] WEDO founded and launched the Women Wednesday social media event held on the Wednesday after Thanksgiving in 2014, to support women in business and related causes.[58]WEDO Canada also hosts summits across 6 major cities every year in the month of November.[59]
↑"SBP to Celebrate Pakistan Women Entrepreneurship Day on November 19, 2025" (PDF). State Bank of Pakistan, External Communications Department. September 18, 2025. Retrieved June 19, 2026.
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