Choose Women Wednesday
Women, over the years, have tried hard to break into industries that once shut them out. They’ve built businesses, led teams, and brought fresh ideas into spaces long dominated by others.
Drive direct purchases and visibility for women-owned businesses by positioning Choose Women Wednesday as a high-impact shopping and advocacy moment tied to post-Thanksgiving consumer generosity.
- Shop Small, Support Big: Spotlight 5 women-owned businesses in your area and offer exclusive Wednesday discounts
- Tag a Woman Leader: Social campaign encouraging followers to nominate and amplify female entrepreneurs, creators, and professionals
- Review & Recommend: Partner with women-owned shops to collect and amplify customer testimonials and five-star reviews
- Women's Work Playlist: Curate and share art, music, and content created by women across your platform
Notable campaigns7
- Amazon India (2023): Amazon India's Women's Day Store showcased women-led businesses, offering special deals and visibility to local entrepreneurs under its Amazon Saheli initiative.
- Mattel/Barbie (2018): Released 15 dolls in the likeness of real iconic women like Chloe Kim, Patty Jenkins, and Amelia Earhart for International Women's Day, each with educational pamphlets, repositioning brand as women empowerment focused.
- Sephora (2023): 'Together We' campaign (March 2023) featured real women employees and brand founders like Miranda Kerr and Huda Kattan; expanded 'Classes for Confidence' free beauty workshops to 24 global markets, empowering women navigating life transitions.
- Hershey's (2024): Transformed iconic chocolate bars into limited-edition 'SHE' bars with 200+ empowering adjectives; partnered with Girls on the Run (nonprofit); used QR codes to drive engagement and deeper messaging.
- Keds (Recent): One-day campaign donating $25 from select shoe sales to Dress for Success charity, directly supporting women's professional empowerment.
- Microsoft (Recent): '#MakeWhatsNext' campaign encouraging girls to pursue STEM careers through video highlighting the gender disparity in tech fields.
- OKCredit (Recent): Showcased stories of female entrepreneurs and highlighted how the brand enables women business owners to come '#OutOftheShadows' and build companies.
Campaign ideas8
- Launch a women-led business spotlight series: Feature 3-5 local female entrepreneurs or professionals weekly leading up to Choose Women Wednesday, highlighting their origin story, services, and impact. Repurpose across social, email, and in-store.
- Create a 'Women Recommended' campaign: Ask your audience (employees, customers, followers) to nominate and recommend female professionals in their network (coaches, designers, consultants, speakers) with a chance to be featured on your brand's channels.
- Partner with women-led SMBs for a co-promotion: Create exclusive bundles or cross-sell opportunities with 2-3 women-owned businesses, split the promotional costs, and drive mutual audience growth.
- Run a limited-time discount or shop pass exclusively for women-owned businesses: Offer your platform (ecommerce site, app, storefront) to women entrepreneurs for free/reduced fees during that week to increase visibility.
- Host a live panel or webinar featuring female leaders in your industry: Invite 3-4 female experts to discuss career challenges, breaking stereotypes, and paths to leadership. Promote hiring/speaking opportunities.
- Create exclusive women-led product bundle or 'gift guide': Curate and highlight products/services from female creators; promote as a ready-made gift that supports women entrepreneurs.
- Pledge-based challenge: Encourage followers to make one purchase from a woman-owned business weekly and share their receipt/story with a branded hashtag for a chance to win prizes.
- Sponsor or partner with a women's nonprofit: Donate a percentage of Choose Women Wednesday sales to a female-focused charity, education program, or women's entrepreneurship fund.
Social angles5
- 'Every time you choose one woman, you support all women, everywhere.' This Wednesday, spotlight a female creator, business owner, or leader in your life. Who do YOU choose? #ChooseWOMEN
- Breaking barriers, building legacies. Meet [Woman Name], a [profession] reshaping [industry]. Learn her story → [link] #ChooseWomenWednesday #WomenInBusiness
- The gender gap in funding is real: female founders get less than half the support of male counterparts. This Wednesday, shop from a woman-owned business. Be the change. #ChooseWOMEN #SupportLocal
- From career pivots to glass ceiling breaks—women are leading. Celebrate the women in YOUR corner this Wednesday. Tag someone who inspires you. #ChooseWomenWednesday
- Funding gap? Visibility gap? Not here. This Wednesday we're choosing women—as mentors, leaders, creators & entrepreneurs. What will you choose? #ChooseWOMEN #WomenEconomicEmpowerment
Ad copy starters5
“Support moves mountains. Choose a woman-owned business this Wednesday. #ChooseWOMEN”
“One recommendation. One choice. Infinite possibilities. Nominate a female professional today.”
“The wage gap is closing—one choice at a time. Shop women Wednesday.”
“Female founders build the future. What will you choose? #ChooseWomenWednesday”
“She deserves the platform. You deserve the choice. Support women-led, every Wednesday.”
Tips4
- Don't tokenize: Go beyond performative marketing. Tie campaigns to real action—whether donations, partnerships, hiring or actual platform/visibility for female entrepreneurs, not just feel-good messaging.
- Focus on 'jobs & professions' angle: Since Choose Women Wednesday emphasizes economic empowerment and career support, highlight hiring opportunities, mentorship, professional development, and leadership—not just shopping deals.
- Authenticity over aesthetics: Avoid pink-washing or generic 'girl boss' imagery. Feature real women with real challenges (wage gaps, funding barriers, career pivots) to build genuine resonance with audiences.
- Make it recurring, not just annual: Emphasize that Choose Women Wednesday is EVERY Wednesday, not a one-off. Encourage ongoing support for women-owned businesses, not just one-week hype.
Choose Women Wednesday began in 2014. The Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Organization launched it to help women in business gain visibility and support.
They chose the Wednesday after Thanksgiving, a time when shoppers already focus on giving back and helping others. At first, the campaign went by names like Women on Wednesday and #WomenWOW. In 2016, it officially became Choose Women Wednesday.
The goal was simple but bold—help close the huge gap between male and female entrepreneurs. Many women founders receive far less money and attention than men in similar roles.
This day aims to change that by encouraging people to shop from women-led businesses and promote women’s work across all fields.
The campaign used the internet to spread the message. Organizers built an online platform where people could find women-run brands and even help fund small loans to women around the world.
The hashtag #ChooseWOMEN also gained popularity. It helped the message travel across social media, creating a wave of support in many countries.
Now, the event has a global reach. Every year, more people take part by buying, posting, or promoting women’s efforts. It’s a day that still pushes for fairness, recognition, and support in practical ways.
Support women‑owned shops
Visit a store, café, or service run by a woman and make a purchase. Sharing the experience with friends can spark conversation and encourage more support. Look for local listings or social pages that highlight women-run spots. Even a small item can make a meaningful impact when it helps grow someone’s dream.
Amplify a female voice
Post about a woman creator, speaker, or local entrepreneur on social media. A simple share can widen her audience and build momentum. Use your platform, no matter the size. A post, comment, or tag can bring attention to someone doing valuable work.
Tune into women’s work
Choose a song, podcast, or film made by a woman. Enjoy the art and let others know what inspired you. Creative work often gets buried under bigger names—highlighting it gives it new life. Take time to explore new voices, especially those telling untold stories.
Write a positive review
Left a great experience at a woman‑owned business? Leave a five‑star review or send a kind email. Praise helps build trust with future customers. Your few words could be the boost a small business needs to stand out.
Attend an event or workshop
Join a talk, pop‑up, or networking meetup organized by women. You’ll learn, connect, and help build community. These spaces offer new ideas and fresh perspectives. Go in curious and leave inspired.
Recommend a female expert
Suggest a woman professional to friends or colleagues. Your suggestion can open doors to new opportunities. This could be a writer, designer, coach, or speaker. One introduction might shift someone’s entire career path.