[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 185 (Tuesday, November 19, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1472-E1473]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   WOMEN'S ENTREPRENEURSHIP DAY 2019

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GRACE MENG

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 19, 2019

  Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak in honor of Women's 
Entrepreneurship Day which is celebrated around the world each year on 
November 19th.
  Women are leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs that drive economic 
expansion and advance communities around the world. Between 2018 and 
2019, U.S. women of all backgrounds started an average of 1,817 new 
businesses per day, representing 42 percent of all businesses. These 
businesses generate $1.9 trillion and employs 9.4 million workers. 5.4 
million businesses are owned by women of color and 99 percent of women-
owned businesses are small businesses. I applaud these women 
entrepreneurs and their undeniable impact.
  I also applaud Wendy Diamond who has personally spearheaded the 
Women's Entrepreneurship Day movement. Since her campaign launched in 
2013, her Women's Entrepreneurship Day organization has funded 500 
Syrian refugee girls in Jordan so they could attend high school, 
launched an initiative in Oman to empower women and girls to vote 
against arranged marriage, and partnered with a Uruguayan university to 
offer scholarships to young women. Women's Entrepreneurship Day is now 
celebrated in 144 countries and 110 universities and colleges 
internationally, with numerous global ambassadors. The Women's 
Entrepreneurship Day mission is to empower, celebrate, and support 
women in business worldwide to alleviate poverty.
  On Friday, November 15th, Ms. Diamond hosted a Women's 
Entrepreneurship Day event in New York City at the United Nations in 
order to empower, celebrate, and support women and girls globally to 
alleviate poverty.
  During this event, Ms. Diamond and her organization honored the 
following individuals with their respective awards:

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  Leah Solivan--General Partner Fuel Capital & Founder TaskRabbit--
Technology Pioneer Award;
  Stephanie Newby--Founder Golden Seeds, the premiere early-stage 
investment firm for women-led companies & Former CEO Crimson Hexagon--
Financial Pioneer Award;
  Patty Baker--Philanthropist, Broadway Producer, Founder Baker 
Scholars, Board Member Hunter College Foundation (Baker Theater 
Building), New York Public Theater, Naples Players, Baker Art Museum & 
Milwaukee Repertory Theater--Philanthropy Pioneer Award;
  Norma Kamali--International Fashion Designer, Founder/CEO Normalife, 
Founder/CEO Wellness CAFE & STOP OBJECTIFICATION CAMPAIGN--Fashion 
Pioneer Award;
  Hannah Stocking--Global Entertainer with 25+ Million Followers--
Influencer Pioneer Award;
  Missy Elliott--Grammy Award-Winning Musical Artist--Music Pioneer 
Award;
  Francine LeFrak--Founder/Visionary Same Sky, Chair Harvard Kennedy 
School Women's Leadership Board & Founder LeFrak Productions--Accessory 
Pioneer Award; and
  Wendy Diamond--Social Entrepreneur, Impact Investor, Humanitarian, 
Animal Advocate, Best-Selling Author and CEO/Founder of Women's 
Entrepreneurship Day Organization--Humanitarian Pioneer Award.
  Madam Speaker, I urge the entire House to recognize these remarkable 
role models, and to celebrate Women's Entrepreneurship Day this year 
and every year moving forward.

                          ____________________