WHEREAS, Although the business field has been historically dominated by men, Californian women have paved a road for drastic change. In fact, the country as a whole has witnessed this change regarding the rising number of women in business; and

WHEREAS, Growing by the minute, women-owned firms have increased at about a 3.9-percent annual rate within the last five years. Since 1997, the number of businesses owned by women has increased by 59 percent. California has been top ranked for its growing number of women-owned firms over the past 17 years and ranked 29th in growth of those firms’ revenues between 1997 and 2014. With over 1.55 million women-owned businesses employing over one million Californians, California is now ranked number one in the nation for women-owned firms. In Los Angeles alone there are over 420,000 women-owned firms. Within the state, nearly 130 women-owned businesses are established each day, putting California in the lead nationwide; and

WHEREAS, California has been home to well-known, women-owned businesses that have generated over $300,000,000,000 and created millions of job opportunities. Companies like Mattel and Mrs. Fields are just two of the companies that have generated millions of dollars and created paths for success in California. Mattel, founded by Ruth Handler and her husband, sold toys and dollhouse furniture out of their garage in Hawthorne, California until Handler invented Barbie. Today, Barbie brings in over $1,000,000,000 per year for Mattel. The story of the Mrs. Fields company truly epitomizes the opportunity California offers and is a demonstration of women’s business acumen and ambition. The Mrs. Fields company was founded by a young mother, Debbi Fields, who had no prior business experience. Fields began her business in Palo Alto, California, in 1977. Today, Fields’ company is worth over $450,000,000; and

WHEREAS, Bridget Biddy Mason was one of the first impactful women of color business owners in California and a leading example of brave women to be honored, not only in business, but as an individual. Born into slavery and later becoming a wealthy business owner, Mason earned her freedom and began to purchase commercial property in Los Angeles. She purchased one piece of land for $250 and turned that investment into a real estate empire that came to be worth $300,000 in 1884. Mason used her wealth to make impactful, philanthropic contributions to Los Angeles and its residents. She constantly fed the poor and provided shelter for the homeless, bringing to light her admirable business intellect as well as her generous heart. Mason began a legacy that would lead to hundreds of successful women-owned businesses; and

WHEREAS, Businesses owned by women of color are growing in number at rates exceeding the national average of all women-owned firms. One in three women-owned businesses are owned by women of color. Enterprises owned by women of color represent 41 percent of all women-owned businesses and 29 percent of all minority-owned businesses in Los Angeles. Businesses owned by women of color have contributed billions of dollars to the regional economy; and

WHEREAS, Growth is likely to continue as various women-led programs and organizations are flourishing in California and are consistently assisting women in business. The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), for example, works to represent the issues and interests of over 1.3 million women business owners in California with nearly 60 chapters nationwide, 11 of which are in California. Additionally, research shows an increasing interest in the business field among women. There has been an increase from 32 percent of women in business school in 2011 to 39 percent in 2019. From 1971 to 2017, shares of business degrees earned by women rose from 9.1 percent to 47.1 percent, showcasing a 38-percent increase in women business degree earners; now, therefore, be it