[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 188 (Thursday, November 16, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1586]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING WOMEN'S ENTREPRENEURSHIP DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GRACE MENG

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 16, 2017

  Ms. MENG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in honor of Women's 
Entrepreneurship Day which is celebrated around the world each year on 
November 19th. In honor of this day, I am introducing a resolution to 
recognize November 19, 2017 as ``A Day in Honor of Women 
Entrepreneurs''.
  Women are majority owners of 9.9 million American businesses which 
generate $1.4 trillion in annual sales and employ more than 8.4 million 
workers. Ninety-nine percent of women-owned businesses are small 
businesses, and 47 percent of all American minority-owned businesses 
are also women-owned. I applaud these women entrepreneurs and their 
economically-vital businesses.
  Today, 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 65 universities and colleges 
internationally, with numerous global ambassadors. The Women's 
Entrepreneurship Day mission is to empower the four billion women 
worldwide to be catalysts of change, and uplift the over 250 million 
girls living in poverty around the world.
  Tomorrow, Wendy will be hosting 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. Joining her 
for this amazing event will be: Mikaila Ulmer--12-year-old founder of 
Me & The Bees Lemonade and successful Shark Tank contestant on ABC; 
Jesse Draper--founding partner of Halogen Ventures; Dia Simms--CEO of 
Combs Enterprises and Board Member of the Harlem Boys and Girls Club; 
and Baroness Sandip Verma--European Union External Affairs Subcommittee 
Chair and Member of the House of Lords.
  In addition to bringing these incredible women together, Wendy and 
her organization will be honoring the following individuals with the 
following awards:
  Dottie Herman--Founder, President, and CEO of Douglas Elliman--
Business Pioneer Award.
  Lucy Jarvis--First woman television producer, Peabody Award winner--
Media Pioneer Award.
  Suzanne Lerner--President and Co-Founder of Michael Stars, Board 
Member of Women Thrive Alliance--Fashion Pioneer Award.
  Sonia Gardner--President, Managing Partner, and Co-Founder of Avenue 
Capital Group and Global Chair of the Board of 100 Women in Finance--
Financial Pioneer Award.
  Bobbi Brown--CEO of Beauty Evolution and former CEO and Chief 
Creative Officer of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics--Beauty Pioneer Award.
  Muna Rihana Al-Nasser--Chairwoman of the UN Women for Peace 
Association--Philanthropy Pioneer Award.
  Judith Ripka--Luxury jewelry designer and founder of Judith Ripka--
Accessories Pioneer Award.
  Angie Bastian--Founder and Board Member of Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP--
Culinary Pioneer Award.
  Sara Bareilles--Singer, songwriter, six-time Grammy nominee, Broadway 
musical writer and composer--Music Pioneer Award.
  Andrea Kerzner--Founder and CEO of Lalela Project. Co-Creator of 
themoreweshare.com, and Director of the Board of Kerzner International 
Holdings--Artist Pioneer Award.
  Mr. 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.

                          ____________________