Happy International Women’s Day! This marks an important recognition of the value that women bring to the world.

While we feel that women, as with men, should be valued for their contribution everyday of the year, history has shown us that many females have suffered from oppression and inequality from all corners of the globe and to have one day where women of all ages, races and nationalities can be celebrated is a positive thing.

Women as social entrepreneurs is where we want to focus our article today. Entrepreneurship is a game-changer, given that there are no rules, you can be as creative and innovative as you want and really leave a mark on the world around you.

Social Entrepreneurship takes it to a whole other – higher, more exciting and we would say more impactful – level.

There are some really exciting female social entrepreneurs that we want to share with you today. Our very special entrepreneurial ladies come from all corners of the world, from the UK, United States, Turkey and India.

Read more to find out how they are making a real positive change to society. We hope you can show them – and all women today – some extra love for all that they are doing to make the world a better place.

Aditi Gupta – Menstrupedia

Aditi Gupta is a social entrepreneur from India. Aditi along with her husband Tuhin Paul, have used their enterprise skills to break boundaries with their website Menstrupedia.com by providing educational material around the different phases of a girl’s journey through puberty and all the information needed to understand a woman’s menstrual cycle. The educational material is especially important in India, as it is a country where traditionally periods are considered a ‘taboo’, particularly regarding religion which teaches that women are ‘impure’ during their period cycle.

As well as being featured in Forbes India 30 Under 30 in 2014, Aditi has also worked with UNICEF to collaborate on an adolescent health programme for rural girls.

We have also featured Aditi’s TED Talk in our blog ‘5 Inspiring TED Talks on Social Entrepreneurship’ – go take a watch for further inspiration!

Mireia Llusia-Lindh – DeMellier

Mireia is a remarkable social entrepreneur as she has used her skills of being a fashion designer and combined it with strong business acumen to create a socially conscious company that empowers women with beautifully crafted handbags that help save lives.

London based company DeMellier prides itself on producing handbags of the highest quality, but the beauty goes further that the materials used, as with every purchase a consumer is also supporting DeMellier’s permanent initiative ‘A Bag, A Life’.

The ‘A Bag, A Life’ initiative funds a set of lifesaving vaccines and treatments to help save the life of a child in need, as millions of children are dying from preventable diseases.

We also featured DeMellier in our blog ‘Social Impact with Fashion series’. Take a read to learn more about this incredible Social Enterprise.

Muhra

Based in Istanbul (Turkey), Muhra is a Syrian Women’s Social Enterprise which sells handmade pieces of jewellery and textile produced by female artisans rebuilding their lives following conflict in their homelands.

We adore the women at Muhra, they are strong and independent and inspire us at With Social Enterprise. With their slogan ‘drop earrings, not bombs’ they remind us of what this world needs more of – and that is fun, art and compassion.

The women behind this brand are determined to show the world that women are natural leaders and with love, respect, openness, cooperation and commitment – dreams will come true.

Even through adversity, these women show that with enough resilience and with the support of each other, they will leave a true positive impact and be role models for the next generation.

Jess Ekstrom – Headbands of Hope

The world needs more Social Entrepreneurs like Jess Ekstrom, founder and CEO of Headbands of Hope.

Jess, from the United States, has created a Social Enterprise with the business model that for every headband sold, another headband is donated to a poorly child in hospital. This helps restore confidence in children during their treatment and helps to lift their spirits.

Following Jess’s internships at Disney World and a make-a wish foundation for children, the idea for Headbands of Hope was born in 2012 and the impact has already been huge. The brand has donated headbands to every children’s hospital in America and across 15 countries.

If there were more Social Entrepreneurs like Jess, the world really would be a more positive place.

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE CHANGES LIVES

We hope you have enjoyed our blog on female Social Entrepreneurs for International Women’s Day!

If you want to read more about the Social Enterprise business model, be sure to check out a previous blog which explains this innovative business concept ‘Learn: an introduction to The Social Enterprise Business Model’.

You can also take our online course which will teach you everything you need to know ‘How to Build a Social Enterprise’ – be sure to use coupon code: MARCH2020 for 50% off, but be quick as this is only valid until March 31 2020.

For some final inspiration, check out these images we designed featuring quotes from some very powerful change makers; Emma Watson, Greta Thunberg and Mya-Rose Craig.

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