Shoutout to all of my gals out there! Today is International Women's Day, a day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women all around the globe. It is also a day aimed to help communities eliminate discrimination against women worldwide.
Women's empowerment means a lot to me. My family left Taiwan to pursue the American Dream and opportunities for prosperity and success, and part of the reason for leaving was also because of the gender inequality in Asia. Even today, it affects my daily life. Although I feel like the asset management firm I work for is doing a superb job compared to the rest of the finance industry in terms of diversity and inclusion, there is still much room for growth. There are definitely certain groups that are still viewed as a boys' club and mostly recruit guys. My team is also pretty male-heavy, and I was the only girl joining in my class. It is very well-known that gender stereotypes kill women's self-confidence and hold them back in the workplace, but I have learned many lessons and grown a ton in the past year and a half. I have been able to build my confidence and learn how to effectively stand up for myself. Of course, there were times when a situation was especially upsetting, but I have found myself getting through all of it with the best girl friends by my side.
Here's a look at some inspiring women and female-led companies in celebration of today!
Chillhouse
Founded by Cyndi Rameriz Fulton in 2017, Chillhouse is a new-age spa offering facials, massages, nail and pedicure services alongside a wellness cafe that is very well known in NYC with a Soho flagship. The brand carries all the essentials like fragrant candles, skincare tools, or the season's must-have nail colors to bring the spa to any home.
Cuyana
Fewer, better is the philosophy behind everything the brand does. Cuyana looks to create timeless collections for the modern woman through carefully selected fabrics, precise silhouettes and attention to detail. Cuyana is partnering with thredUP to expand their Lean Closet program and help benefit women through H.E.A.R.T. Complimentary Cuyana x thredUP shipping labels will be included with every domestic online order from cuyana.com, and available in stores.
Just Women's Sports
Female founder Haley Rosen started Just Women's Sports to change the fact that only 4% of sports coverage is dedicated to women's sports. You can subscribe to their newsletter to get a rundown of the top highlights, stories, and events and the can’t-miss games coming up and instructions on how to watch every week.
Reformation
Reformation is one of the most successful sustainable fashion clothing companies and was founded by Yael Aflalo in 2009 as a side gig. The brand holds themselves to strict sustainable guidelines especially when it comes to fiber selection as up to 2/3 of the sustainability impact of fashion happens at the raw materials stage before the clothes have actually been made.
Rent the Runway
Launched in 2009 by Jennifer Hyman and Jennifer Fleiss, Rent the Runway built up its reputation as an online service that provides designer dress and accessory rentals. They now offer an online subscription plan where you can become a member to access a forever-rotating closet of designer clothing, accessories and more. I'm sure a lot of you feel the same way, but I just love the "buy less, wear more" message of the company because I don't like repeating outfits, but I also don't like buying a ton of different pieces.
She Should Run
She Should Run, a nonpartisan nonprofit was started in 2011 to provide guidance and support to women considering a run for office, is led by Founder and CEO Erin Loos Cutraro. I think it is so true that representation is very important. As a girl growing up, you are less likely to be interested in a hobby much less a career path if you don't see others like you in that field. More than 26,000 women have been encouraged to run for office, and 18,000 more are preparing for a future in politics thanks to She Should Run.
Sheertex
Katherine Homuth is the Founder and CEO of Sheertex, which sells the world's toughest pantyhose. The startup was backed by Y Combinator, an infamous American seed accelerator which has been used to launch companies like Airbnb, DoorDash, and Dropbox.
TheRealReal
I love luxury items, but I don't love the hefty price tag they come with, and I've always been conscious about how I can do my part in eliminating waste, so TheRealReal was definitely a company that caught my eye. Based on the circular economy, The RealReal is an online and brick-and-mortar marketplace founded by Julie Wainwright for authenticated luxury consignment.
Women Unlimited
Dr. Rosina Racioppi is the CEO and president of WOMEN Unlimited, which offers career guidance service to develop women leaders who deliver results with a focus on high-potential women in major corporations. These have included Adobe, Colgate, and Prudential.
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