Today is International Women’s Day and the 2021 theme is #ChooseToChallenge – a call to end inequality for our gender and those who identify as a woman. Choose To Challenge was chosen to encourage people to commit to helping forge an inclusive world.
I reached out to a few female entrepreneurs whose work I admire to ask how they are blasting gender bias in their businesses and homes – and as I knew they would – they delivered. From disrupting the femcare space to restructuring roles at home, these women have accepted the challenge whole-heartedly.
Show your support today by striking the #ChooseToChallenge pose with your hand high to show your commitment to choose to challenge inequality, call out bias, question stereotypes, and help forge an inclusive world.
Here are five women who #ChooseToChallenge in their own businesses.
5 Female Entrepreneurs Who #ChooseToChallenge This International Women’s Day | Stephanie Burns
Stephanie Burns
Gaynete Jones, founder of Best, Periodt
“I challenge gender bias and what is considered “normal” in the femcare space with my company, Best, Periodt. Our period care brand uses gender neutral language and bold colors in a pastel pink space, as not all people who bleed identify as women. I’m also challenging societal norms, having used brown skin illustrations in our instruction manual, something I had never seen in my life, as representation matters and we all deserve to see pieces of ourselves reflected in the world around us.”
Prerna Malik, cofounder of Content Bistro
“One of the biggest stereotypes I’ve shattered is the one that pervades the online marketing world. Non-native English speakers aren’t great writers. Hold my chai! I’m an Indian and I’ve written high-converting sales copy for A-list clients all over the world leading to results like 7-figure course launches. Not only that, I’ve also challenged the belief that working with your spouse isn’t great for your marriage. My husband and I are co-owners in our business, Content Bistro, for the last 11 years and are happy as clams!”
Destinee Berman, founder of DestineeBerman.com
‘We are helping women to make the shift from offline to online, from traditional to non traditional paths, and to own their specialty and launch their dream businesses. My hope is that our clients turn their life’s work into their unique professional path. To me that’s empowerment. As strong female business owners, it’s our responsibility to step into our power and leadership roles including in industries that have historically been dominated by men, including tech and VCs.”
Lisa Fabrega, founder of LisaFabrega.com
“I #ChooseToChallenge as a Latina CEO of a business specifically focused on helping women leaders, entrepreneurs and executives all over the world expand their capacity. When more women have the capacity to handle and fully receive every next level of their growth, they aren’t questioning their value or right to take up space and the whole world benefits. Studies have shown when women hold more wealth and power, they contribute and give back that wealth to their communities, which is why I support and speak up for women expanding their capacity for more growth, wealth & impact.”
Merel Kriegsman, founder of MerelKriegsman.com
“My #ChooseToChallenge started at home. The only reason we’re making millions of dollars a year in our business and we’re discussing reparations and legacy at our table, rather than how to pay off our debt–is because my husband and I decided that I would step into the breadwinner role a few years ago. It didn’t make any ‘traditional’ sense. We had a newborn, I was pregnant again and I was ready to hunker down and be a stay at home mom for at least the next decade (because that’s what I saw my mom do growing up.) But my husband said, ‘We can do this, but we have to do it our way.’ And we did. My business is successful yes, but we chose to challenge the gender stereotype in our home first, showing our three daughters they can too.”
