International Women’s Day 2020

International Women's Day is a global day of celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The first IWD gathering was in 1911 with support of over one million people.

Happy International Women’s Day! International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated annually on March 8th. It is a global day of celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The first IWD gathering was in 1911 with support of over one million people. It has continued to grow as a worldwide movement with millions upon millions celebrating. IWD is not only a celebration, but a day to that marks a call to action for women’s equality.

On International Women’s Day and every day, we here at West Tenth are celebrating women’s achievements. Our mission is to increase the visibility of women’s contributions to our communities and our economies, elevate their overlooked talents, and create a thriving marketplace of women-led, home-based businesses.

For IWD we asked that very community what Women Supporting Women meant to them.

Quotes on International Women’s Day

“Women Helping Women is exactly that. Standing up for each other, cheering each other on, building each other up, being a shoulder to cry on, being an ear to talk to, being a smile to brighten another’s day. Being that support system that maybe she doesn’t get anywhere else, being a friend….that’s women helping women!” — Helena O. of Hair & Makeup Artistry by Helena in Camarillo, CA

“Women Helping Women is empowering us to fight for our dreams and live our best lives! Fix another woman’s crown without letting her know it was ever crooked.” — Heather A. of Three Sisters Events in Ventura, CA

“Besides my husband and Mom, I feel like my biggest support in my small shop has been other women. Other moms who appreciate my talent and other women who have a small shop of their own. I remember the first market I did, the booths surrounding me we’re all different from ties for boys to knitted animals. Throughout the day I got to visit with them and found they were moms with a desire to create just like I was. They were doing this late at night, during naps, and all the moments in between. It was an instant connection and since then we have stayed friends and supported each other. Being there to celebrate all of the victories in between. Women have a natural ability to want to find mutual ground and being a part of a maker and small business community has been such a light in my life as a mom and a woman. I have been able to do a few giveaways in support of women, one was a charity for a woman raising funds for IVF, I made a simple plaque that said “she believed she could, so she did”. It’s true we do anything we believe we can and as women it’s our nature to help anyone like us succeed in any way.” — Alyson M. of The Etched Boutique in Saratoga Springs, UT

“Celebrate her success without questioning your own. Her success is not your Failure.” — Patricia D. of Pattycakes Candle Co. in Simi Valley, CA

“Compassion not Competition.” — Cristina R. of The Petal Exchange Floral Design in Long Beach, CA

“It means being generous, non-competitive, inspiring, supportive, and kind.” — Michelle C. of My Little Belleville in Salt Lake City, UT

“‘She is strong’ Proverbs 31:25 — One of the reasons I joined the West Tenth community was because of their mission and how important women owned businesses are to them. One of the core reasons Epiphany Events was created was to create women home based jobs so women can have the time to balance Mom life, wife life, and still get the fulfillment of creating a business doing something they love! It is so important to me to cheer other women entrepreneurs on and I feel a huge driving force of who I am as an entrepreneur today is because of some incredible women who influence our world today! Thank you ladies of W10 for creating such an amazing impact on our community and for women as a whole!” — Noel J. of Epiphany Events in Camarillo, CA

“Women helping women means supporting each other, advocating for one another and having each other’s back. We truly do rise by lifting others. ‘Empowered women, empower women.’” — Kelly B. of Kelly Bonanno in Thousand Oaks, CA

“Women helping women means building strong communities and helping one another to succeed. It’s best summed up by Audre Lorde, ‘I am not free while any woman is unfree, even if her shackles are very different from my own.’” — Jess T. of Heritage Apothecary in Los Angeles, CA

“For me, women helping women looks like cooperation and encouragement. Instead of feeling in competition. Women help build each other up and support one another for their shared or individual goals!” — Nicole M. of Wise Photography in Ventura, CA “We often hear ‘It takes a village…’ To me, women helping women looks like a tight little village full of hard working, driven, women who come together to support and encourage each other so that moving mountains becomes possible.” — Jackie R. of Cocoa Rome Chocolate Company in Thousand Oaks, CA

“Women helping women means showing up, creating space, and delivering support for other women in your life. Listen to their ideas and encourage them to put a plan into action. Help them achieve their goals and congratulate them when they do. Tell others about them and see them grow!” — Brigitte C. of Brigitte Caille, Makeup Artist in Moorpark, CA

“Women helping women means speaking out about being a women, a mom, a person, a force. Speaking up for other women at work, at home, on the playground, in the grocery store. Showing up for every other women you see — we are a force. “The word’s out: I’m a woman, and I’m going to have trouble backing off on that. I am what I am.” — Elizabeth Warren” — Jennie P. of Jennie Palluzzi in Los Angeles, CA

“I have been in business for over 2 years. In these years I have developed a great network of women friends, some are business owners themselves others are not. The support we lend each other goes beyond simple purchasing of each other’s products or services. We have mutual respect and understanding of each other’s business, passion and vision. We also understand the challenge of building a business while raising a family. A group that I can vent to, brainstorm ideas with or go for support without hesitation is how these women help me. I am very thankful for their support.” — Leena R. of Niru Beauty in Newbury Park, CA

“Women helping women means that you are a member of a supportive tribe that you can call on to always have your back. Amazing things happen when we support each other. I approach helping my tribe of women as co- opetition not competition.” — Merley G. of Celebrate Sweetly in Thousand Oaks, CA

“I am the daughter of a bold, fearless woman who taught me to work hard every single day. Giving up is simply not an option for her. She’s had stage 4 ovarian cancer for 6 long, grueling years. She feels sick and intense pain all the time, but she still manages to be the full time caretaker of my dad, who has Parkinson’s disease. Even with all that she’s going through, she still frequently asks me what she can do for me.

Nobody serves others like my mom does, and my sisters are the exact same way. I could not have been able to emotionally handle the fear of losing my parents all this time without my sisters by my side. They cry with me, and take over when it gets too hard. I know I am the luckiest girl alive to have such strong women in my life. They are my biggest fans when things are good, and the strong arms that lift me up when things get too hard.” — Julie C. of Julie Campbell Photography in Moorpark, CA

“Women Helping Women looks like so many things! It’s my sister, sister-in-laws and female friends being there for me during very challenging times. It’s the amazing women coaches who empower other women to take risks, see themselves so much more clearly, and love themselves deeply. It’s the women in leadership who enable me to share empowering strategies with younger women within their organizations. It’s women who support other women becoming entrepreneurs!” — Amanda H. in Boston, MA

West Tenth on Women Supporting Women

Andi, COO

“Women helping women means meritocratic teamwork. I won’t stop being competitive nor do I expect people not to feel a sense of rivalry once in a while, but that shouldn’t leave us blinded to the value we as women can deliver… when we work together.”

Lyn, CEO

“It means recognizing that we as women have to work a little harder to succeed at both work and home; thus, being willing to advocate for one another. It looks like Julie, who enthusiastically connects women to people and resources. It looks like Molly, who gives expecting mothers peace of mind by helping them plan for their babies. It looks like Merley, who helps women learn to celebrate everything. It looks like Andi, Candice, Sara, Nora, Emily, Elaina, Haley, Wendy, Kim, Michelle, Jennie, Jordan, and all the many others who have rallied behind a small startup because it values the work of women. ‘Here’s to strong women: May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.’ (Unknown)”

Elaina, Community Manager

“Women helping women means lifting each other up and having a strong sense of community. I realized in my teen years that I was lucky enough to have this in so many aspects of my life. My family, lifelong friends, and now West Tenth have surrounded me with the support that truly takes me further each day. When I spend time with these women I feel lifted up, energized, and more confident. That is how I know we are helping one another.”

Michelle, Digital Marketing Manager

“A rising tide lifts all boats” is something I choose to live by. Supporting one another promotes change and growth for all women. Improving every woman’s livelihood.”

Amanda, Content Designer

“‘I am not free while any woman is unfree. Even when her shackles are very different from my own.’ — Audre Lorde”

Emily, Community Manager

“Holding each other’s babies”

Kate, Product Manager

“Sharing your experience. No matter good or bad, we’re stronger when we march together.”

Nora, Customer Service

“The world [has] strong women who will lift and build others. Who will love and be loved. Women who live bravely, both tender and fierce; women of indomitable will.” –Amy Tenney. As the only women in the corporate boardroom for far to long, I didn’t realize the power of a group of women until I didn’t have it. After experiencing this I now make it a priority to always keep a network of women whom I admire around me. In celebration of International Women’s Day, here is a shout out to those in my life I can call with a crazy idea(s) and the first words out of her mouth is always, “I’m in”.