October is National Women's Business Month

The City of Cambridge will celebrate National Women's Business Month during October to recognize the importance of women-owned businesses and highlight the women entrepreneurs who contribute so much to the local Cambridge economy.

National Women's Business Month commemorates the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988, which authorized the federal government to issue loans to businesses controlled by women. Before then, many states required a male co-signer for women to access capital via a business loan.  The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) reports that by 2019 women-owned businesses represented over 42% of all U.S. businesses and there are over 13 million women-owned businesses and counting.

In Cambridge, we will celebrate Women's Business Month with a series of City-sponsored events and networking opportunities will be held throughout the month. All events are free to Cambridge residents and business owners. Everyone is encouraged to join the celebration by supporting Cambridge women-owned businesses and other entrepreneurs during the month of October and beyond. To find women-owned businesses in your neighborhood, visit the online Cambridge Business Diversity Directory.

The following events are free and open to all. To add your event or to inquire about other Women's Business Month activities please contact Christina DiLisio, Economic Development Specialist, at [email protected].

City of Cambridge Women's Business Month Kick-Off Event

Date: Wednesday, October 9, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Location: Mestizo, 10 Broad Canal Way

Celebrate the start of Women's Business Month with light fare and drinks on the patio of Mestizo!

Mestizo is a new restaurant in the Broad Canal area of Kendall Square, offering modern Oaxacan food with a passionate spirit and strong family roots. Join as we are hosted by co-owner Emily Tenreiro who will share her experience as a restaurant owner/operator and her experience developing the menu for Mestizo - a mix of dishes with some distinctly driven by Oaxaca heritage, while others will have clearer origins in other Mexican or even Spanish regions.

Registration: Required through our online form.

Rain Date: Thursday, October 10, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Women's Entrepreneurship Network Re-Launch

Date: Thursday, October 17, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.

Location: Althea, 2 Columbia St

Running a business is hard! So don't do it alone. Join the Cambridge Women's Commission and the Economic Opportunity & Development Division (EODD) at Althea Restaurant for the re-launch of the Women's Entrepreneurship Network. The Network welcomes Cambridge women entrepreneurs and business owners from all industries, stages, and backgrounds to share needs and connect in a casual but supportive environment. From 2013-2019 the Network met regularly across women-owned businesses and spaces in Cambridge. This event is free and light refreshments will be provided.

Special guest: Neysa Cruceta, Program Manager at Ascendus, will share information about loans and credit building.

Registration: Space is limited. Registration is required through our online form.

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