Every March, we celebrate Women’s History Month as a time to recognize the impact that women have had on society and to celebrate their many contributions. This month is an opportunity for everyone, regardless of gender or background, to come together and recognize the achievements and struggles of women worldwide.
The History Behind Women’s History Month
Women’s History Month has been celebrated since 1978. It started as a week-long celebration, but educators in Sonoma County, CA, wanted students in their schools to learn more about influential women in history and felt that designating a month of recognition would be the best way to do this.
Why Celebrate?
Celebrating Women’s History Month is more than just remembering what happened in the past— it’s about being inspired and appreciating the progress that has been made thanks to powerful women who have broken down some of our equality barriers. It would be impossible to recognize all the women that we admire and respect, but here are a few notable women that we picked because of their accomplishments in writing, advertising, technology, and foodservice.
1. Katharine Graham — As chairman of The Washington Post for 20 years, Graham was one of the first female publishers of a U.S. newspaper and the first woman CEO of a Fortune 500 Company. She also won a Pulitzer Prize for her autobiography.
2. Beenish Saeed — Born in Pakistan, Saeed wrote a basic hotel management program at age 14! A restaurant technology expert, she wanted to provide restaurateurs with innovative technology that makes running a restaurant easier. TouchBistro is an all-in-one restaurant management system that includes POS, payment processing, online ordering, reservations, and more.
3. Helen Lansdowne Resor — She shattered conventions by trailblazing her way into the male-dominated advertising world (think Mad Men!) and mentoring other women. Resor created revolutionary ad campaigns that helped shape a new image for women in America as confident, independent, and proud to be modern.
4. Reshma Saujani — Saujani is the Founder and CEO of Girls Who Code, the international nonprofit organization working to close the gender gap in technology and change the image of what a computer programmer looks like and does.
5. Stephanie Perry — Perry is the President of Permul Foodservice Equipment. As a leading wholesale distributor and manufacturer’s agent of commercial restaurant equipment in Canada, Permul has exclusive contracts with some of the best foodservice brands in the world. Perry has held various leadership positions in MAFSI and will be the first female MAFSI President ever!
An entrepreneur at heart, Chelsea Rae Stuck, Founder and President of Craeve & Co., dreamed of starting a hospitality-focused consulting business that combined her creative passion with her analytical experience. Under Chelsea’s leadership, Craeve just turned four! During Women’s History Month, we celebrate the talented women on our team, support one another, and continue to do our best work for our clients!