By: Allison Basco
Starting as a week-long celebration in 1980, Women’s History Week turned into a month-long celebration of women and their contributions in a variety of fields starting in March of 1987.
During the first Presidential Proclamation for Women’s History Week, President Jimmy Carter stated:
“From the first settlers who came to our shores…men and women have worked together to build this nation. Too often the women were unsung, and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength and love of the women who built America was as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well.”
As a women-owned and women-led company, For Momentum supports organizations dedicated to promoting women’s rights and equality. During Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, we set aside time to celebrate and honor women and their contributions to American history along with their achievements.
Each year, the National Women’s History Alliance chooses a theme for Women’s History Month. The theme for 2023 was “Celebrating Women Who Tell Stories,” and we’ve highlighted some amazing campaigns that have done just that.
CASETiFY
For International Women’s Day, CASETiFY celebrated female creatives by partnering with global artists to create phone cases that empower, inspire and celebrate women. During March, CASETiFY donated $5 from each case sold to She’s The First.
She’s The First is a non-profit that trains girls to be activists by helping them team up with grassroots leaders. She’s The First stands strongly by the belief that girls—no matter where they are born—deserve to be educated, respected and heard. Find out more about the campaign here.
CARE
CARE’s campaign, She Leads the World, celebrated the inspiring leadership of women building a better future for their families and communities. Acclaimed photographer and CARE Global Advisory Council Member Nigel Barker unveiled bold portraits of program participants in a photography exhibition as part of the campaign.
CARE’s International Women’s Day campaign provided partners with high visibility and activation opportunities, including consumer and employee engagement, thought leadership, events, content and celebrity engagement.
Barbie
For the fifth anniversary of The Barbie Dream Gap Project, Barbie partnered with Inspiring Girls International to highlight role models.
With the motto, “Imagining she can be anything is just the beginning, seeing that she can makes all the difference,” Barbie creatively shared remarkable stories of women by auctioning replicas of one-of-a-kind dolls launched during the past five years.
All proceeds supported organizations like Inspiring Girls International, which has a mission to raise aspirations of girls worldwide by connecting them with female role models.
Ba&sh
In 2023, Ba&sh partnered with Step Up, a non-profit that supports the success of girls through mentorship by providing a structure to help them define, and get to, their destination.
For International Women’s Day, Ba&sh sold limited edition Women are Fundamental T-shirts created in partnership with Step Up with 100% of the proceeds going to the organization. Estee Lauder and the Estee Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation
Estee Lauder and the Estee Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation are absolutely committed to partnerships with global organization to close the gender gap. In 1923, they partnered with six non-governmental organizations for International Women’s Day.
One of these organizations was Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation which combats child labor in India. By working with local communities, the foundation develops proactive, holistic and sustainable solutions such as teaching girls to read and write to end child labor in the mica mining industry.
These children then educate other women in their communities. Estee Lauder has now supported the creation of more than 290 Child Friendly Villages that promote education and school enrollment while eradicating child labor.
Hershey
For Women’s History Month, Hershey created the “SHE” bar. The new bar was a reminder to celebrate the impact that SHE makes. Hershey partnered with Girls on the Run, which is a non-profit with a mission to support, empower and inspire girls to reach their full potential. Through this campaign, Hershey was able to raise and donate $150,000 to the organization.
These companies and their nonprofit collaborators work tirelessly to uplift and empower women. According to the World Economic Forum, it will take another 132 years to close the gender gap. Although the data can look discouraging, these partnerships are making great strides toward equality.
According to activist Gerda Lerner, “Women’s history is a women’s right—an essential, indispensable heritage which can draw pride, comfort, courage and long-range vision.”
As we celebrate women during March and pay tribute to all women in all fields, let’s focus on how we can do better while promoting the next generation. Let’s educate, inspire, close more gaps and jump through more hurdles. Let’s highlight more achievements—both past and present—and celebrate triumphs.
Most importantly, let’s pause for moment as we celebrate and reflect on the significant gains and how we can inspire future generations to learn from women leaders.
Leave a Reply