Founder Blog: Celebrating Women's History Month

Read Time: 5-7 minutes

By: Heather Wentler

It’s Women’s History Month. If you’ve read my past blog posts about it, you know I have mixed feelings (to say the least) about what it stands for and who it represents and uplifts. This year, though, I believe it is even more important to celebrate and promote it.

Women’s rights continue to be challenged. On International Women’s Day (March 8), protests were held in Montreal to support U.S. Women’s Rights. I express deep gratitude to our Canadian neighbors who are standing in solidarity with us. Recently, the United States was added to the Civicus Global Watchlist due to threats to civic freedoms. These aren’t just headlines—they’re a call to action. 

Why is this happening?

There are signs that these backlashes are happening because of our power. And those signs are correct. We have the power. Now, just like any superhero needs to do, how do we harness and use our power for its intended good? This article from UNWomen.org has excellent quotes and explains how nearly three-quarters of the world’s population are living under curtailed rights and freedoms that have been taken back over the past twenty years.

When people in power - not just men, not just specific identities - feel threatened, the reflex reaction is to point blame or target (typically) another population. We see this playing out daily; just turn on any media outlet and try to view what they’re saying, and try to interpret from an unbiased perspective. It is nearly impossible to be unbiased; it’s not human nature. Therefore, when we feel threatened or scared, like our problems continue to mount, we want something or someone to point at and say, “It’s because of that”. It gives us comfort, in some fashion. Part of the work is to take a step back, examine why it gives us comfort (or makes us uncomfortable), and how we need to work through that.

How can we create community?

At Doyenne, we’ve always believed in the power of community. But what does “community” really mean?

Many people say “find community” when we think about how we can support, encourage, and unify over difficult situations. But what does “community” mean?

When we started, we were told we were “taking away all the women” from traditional entrepreneurial spaces. But, when only 8% of attendees at events identified as women, was that truly a community? Some told us they had to “climb the ladder on their own” and questioned why others needed support. Our response: Why not build wider rungs so we can climb together?

Creating community happens in many ways—through public advocacy, small private gatherings, and intentional spaces for growth and understanding. Both approaches matter. Both make a difference.

As we move into an era of increased or “removed” words (which does include woman), the threat to organizations such as Doyenne becomes a greater reality. The landscape is shifting (again). 

Organizations supporting women and underrepresented entrepreneurs are facing lawsuits and funding challenges. In 2024 alone, at least three organizations we’ve worked with were sued for being “discriminatory” in their mission to support women and marginalized groups.

We had to ask ourselves: Do we adjust our mission to be more “palatable”? The answer was clear—no. If standing by our core values means taking a harder path, then so be it.

What comes next?

We don’t know exactly what the future holds. But we do know this:

While Doyenne doesn’t transitionally apply for federal grants or funding, we did apply for one grant in January. About 3 days after we submitted, and 1 day before the official submission deadline, all applicants received a “new guidelines” overview with an extension of the submission deadline so we could rework our applications. It gutted me, and I had to think about whether I wanted to resubmit or leave it as is. We resubmitted, but I refused to take key parts of what we do and who we work for to make it a more watered-down version of the organization’s work.

To use an overly used expression, “we’re in unprecedented times”. The conversations I’m having daily with entrepreneurs about what they’re feeling and experiencing is emotionally and mentally taxing because a lot of times all I can say is “Let’s see what happens.” Which, as someone who is here to support and uplift (well…as much as I can “uplift” based on the work I do and the personality I am), it’s hard to tell someone “I don’t know what to tell you except hope for the best by continuing to do what you’re doing, and plan for the worst by evaluating outcomes if some things play out”. 

When I look at how much women have overcome and the gains we’ve made in the past 45 years, and how we were still working for these gains to be equitable for more than just certain racial or economic standing women:

• Owning a business without a man’s name on the documentation

• Taking out a personal or business loan or credit without a man

• Having more personal wealth to be able to create more professional options (ie: entrepreneurship) than any generation in the past

• National Pay Gap Reduction

• C-Suite positions

• Main Street communities thriving due to women-owned/led businesses

• More women entering STEM degree studies and the workforce

• Women are graduating with all levels of degrees at a higher rate than ever

This progress is worth celebrating—and protecting.

Celebrate Women’s History Month. Support and uplift women—all women. Share their stories. Attend events. Invest in their success.

Most importantly, keep pushing forward. Progress is made when we refuse to step back.

Let me know how I can support you. You are doing great things.