Women's History Month was made official in 1987 and has been proclaimed a celebration in the month of March by presidents since 1995. During this month, we commemorate the countless contributions and achievements of women in the United States. And in an effort to smash the patriarchy, we celebrate Women's History Month with pride.
This year's theme: Refusing to Be Silent. A theme that is wildly relevant. With women still making 82 cents for every dollar paid to men, we still have work to do.
Before Women's History Month officially ends, we wanted to share some businesses pouring back into women this month and beyond. This is your friendly reminder to always support women in all ways.
1.Phenomenal Woman Brand
What started as a t-shirt line is now a movement heralded by thousands of women. Meena Harris, Vice President Kamala Harris' niece, began partnering with organizations to bring awareness to world issues. By coining powerful statements like Phenomenally Black and Pro-Science/Pro-Dolly, the Harvard grad has managed to use graphic tees to fight the power for underrepresented communities. Phenomenal Woman is giving back in an innovative way by using bite-size messages to push the culture forward and change the world. Every campaign is linked to a cause that empowers women globally.
2.Able
Over at Able, they proclaim, "Your purchase matters because it allows us to empower women. 96 percent of our employees are women." This ethical fashion brand's mission is to empower women so that we can end poverty. Because they are committed to breaking the cycle of poverty and helping women thrive, they invest in, train, and educate women so they can earn a living. Able started making scarves in Ethiopia and is now a lifestyle brand made up of jewelry, shoes, leather handbags and more.
3.Haverhill
During Women's History Month, Haverhill is pouring back into women with yet another capsule. The two-piece collection consists of a 14K gold necklace and bracelet handcrafted in the USA and engraved with the female gender symbol. With the Venus collection, Haverhill has pledged to donate 10 percent of the purchase price to Catalyst, a global nonprofit collaborating with some of the world's most powerful CEOs and leading companies to build workplaces that work for women. Their thought leadership focuses on four areas: Advancing Women, Women and the Future of Work, Lead for Equity and Inclusion and MARC (Men Advocating Real Change).
4.Azura Bay
A portion of the proceeds of every order from Azura Bay goes to one of three organizations selected by the founder, Ashley. You can choose at checkout and one of the choices is "Because I am a Girl". BIAAG is an initiative run by Plan International and their mission is to end gender inequality and promote girls' rights. There are a "wide range of programs to improve the status of girls and give them equal access to healthcare, education, protection, independence and an opportunity to participate in society."
5.inkWELL Press
inkWELL Press, the maker of all things productivity, was founded on generosity. The creator, Tanya Dutton, based her business on this model because she wants to show her children that it's important to bring forth good in this world. She does that with her New Life Initiative, where inkWELL Press donates their secondhand and surplus items to battered women shelters and residential treatment centers throughout their region. "Our goal with the New Life Initiative is to make a difference in how these women view their lives and empower them with the tools and confidence to begin their new lives."
6.Prosperity Candle
We love a smell-good candle but we love it, even more, when it comes with a side of philanthropy. It all started in 2009 when three people created Prosperity Candle. Through candle-making and beautifully crafted vessels, this social enterprise supports refugees and artisans with refillable/repurposed candles. Every candle has an incredible story poured into it. The 10-people team has one goal: end global poverty. Just think of Prosperity Candle as the Statue of Liberty in action with its foundational values of creativity and quality.
7.Bye Gender
Did you know that the life expectancy of trans women of color is just 35 years old? The struggles the trans community face are unthinkable and that's why Bye Gender exists. Previously known as Werk Those Pecs and Trans is Beautiful Apparel, the brand's mission is still to help trans individuals access the funding they need to survive. In 2016, the fund was first opened for application and since 2019, 25 applicants have been funded thanks to the proceeds from the clothing line. "The majority of the recipients are transgender people who have limited access to housing, or work due to disability, are unable to find employment due to their trans statuses, or are unable to afford their HIV meds or hormones. In November 2019, the Werk Those Pecs Fund was renamed to Bye Gender Trans Survival Fund."
8.Eu'Genia
Eu'Genia was birthed by a mother-daughter duo determined to secure fair wages and opportunities for their female workers in Ghana. Naa-Sakle Akuete and her mother have pledged to donate 15 percent of their earnings right back to the very women who make up the social enterprise by way of an education fund. The secret to their thriving business is raw, unrefined Ghanaian shea butter; thanks to Grandma Sunshine, the Ghanian midwife who birthed Naa-Sakle's mother and partner in equity. The Akuete lineage is emboldened by this natural alternative to chemical and petroleum jelly-filled moisturizers with her mom's establishment of Global Shea Alliance and their current relationship with sustainable farmers.
9.Smarty Pits
It is usually in pain that we find our purpose. That statement is painfully true for SmartyPits founder, Stacia Guzzo. After her mom found a lump under her armpit, they discovered it was breast cancer. The unrelenting search for an aluminum-free, odor-controlled, great smelling, smooth applicator led Stacia to create SmartyPits. A small stovetop plus skincare formulation research resulted in an aluminum-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, and propylene glycol-free deodorant. Best of all, SmartyPits donates 1 percent of all sales to breast cancer research and free deodorant to oncology centers, survivor support events, and non-profit groups.
10.Thinx
Thinx is the new wave of reproductive health. Meet the underwear that absorbs blood during your period, eliminating the need for pads and tampons. Menstruation is such a taboo topic and we are not educated appropriately on how to take care of ourselves when our monthly visitor arrives. Thinx is actively trying to fix that by advocating for equity, educating future generations, and fighting for access for everyone. "Alongside our partners (and with your support!) we're fighting for better access to puberty education, amplifying grassroots activism, and donating our undies and time. When you purchase Thinx you're helping give life to our programming and initiatives." For us, it's the fact that they donate Thinx to women in need in underrepresented communities and unhoused situations.
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Adrian Marcel On Purpose, Sacrifice, And The 'Signs Of Life'
In this week's episode of xoMAN, host Kiara Walker talked with R&B artist Adrian Marcel, who opened up, full of heart and authenticity, about his personal evolution. He discussed his days transitioning from a young Bay Area singer on the come-up to becoming a grounded husband and father of four.
With honesty and introspection, Marcel reflected on how life, love, and loss have shaped the man he is today.
On ‘Life’s Subtle Signals’
Much of the conversation centered around purpose, sacrifice, and listening to life’s subtle signals. “I think that you really have to pay attention to the signs of life,” Marcel said. “Because as much as we need to make money, we are not necessarily on this Earth for that sole purpose, you know what I mean?” While he acknowledged his ambitions, adding, “that is not me saying at all I’m not trying to ball out,” he emphasized that fulfillment goes deeper.
“We are here to be happy. We are here [to] fulfill a purpose that we are put on here for.”
On Passion vs. Survival
Adrian spoke candidly about the tension between passion and survival, describing how hardship can sometimes point us away from misaligned paths. “If you find it’s constantly hurting you… that’s telling you something. That’s telling you that you’re going outside of your purpose.”
Marcel’s path hasn’t been without detours. A promising athlete in his youth, he recalled, “Early on in my career, I was still doing sports… I was good… I had a scholarship.” An injury changed everything. “My femur broke. Hence why I always say, you know, I’m gonna keep you hip like a femur.” After the injury, he pivoted to explore other careers, including teaching and corporate jobs.
“It just did not get me—even with any success that happened in anything—those times, back then, I was so unhappy. And you know, to a different degree. Like not just like, ‘I really want to be a singer so that’s why I’m unhappy.’ Nah, it was like, it was not fulfilling me in any form or fashion.”
On Connection Between Pursuing Music & Fatherhood
He recalled performing old-school songs at age 12 to impress girls, then his father challenged him: “You can lie to these girls all you want, but you're really just lying to yourself. You ain't growing.” That push led him to the piano—and eventually, to his truth. “Music is my love,” Marcel affirmed. “I wouldn’t be a happy husband if I was here trying to do anything else just to appease her [his wife].”
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
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Colman Domingo’s Career Advice Is A Reminder That Our Words Shape Our Reality
When it comes to life, we are always here for a good reminder to shift our mindsets, and Colman Domingo just gave us one we didn't know we needed.
In a resurfaced clip from an appearance at NewFest shared as a repost via Micheaux Film Festival, the Emmy award winner dropped a gem on how he has navigated his decades-spanning career in Hollywood. The gem in question? Well, Colman has never identified with "struggle" in his career. Let that sit.
Colman Domingo On Not Claiming Struggle
"I’ve never said that this career was tough. I’ve never said it was difficult. I’ve never said it was hard," Colman said. "Other people would say that—‘oh, you're in a very difficult industry. It's very hard to get work and book work.’ I’m like, I’ve never believed that."
Instead of allowing himself to be defined by other people's projections about their perceptions of what the industry is or was, Colman dared to believe differently even if his reality was playing catch up with his dreams:
"Like Maya Angelou said words are things. And if you believe that, then that's actually what it is. Actually I've just never believed it. Someone told me some years ago, they said, 'I remember you were, you're a struggling actor.' I'm like, 'I don't.'"
"I wasn't attached to a struggle. I was attached to living..."
He continued:
"Even when I was bartending and hustling and not having opportunities or anything, I never believed that I was struggling because I wasn't attached to a struggle. I was attached to living and creating and being curious."
Colman’s philosophy of attaching to living instead of struggle has blossomed into an enduring career. He first made his mark on stage in acclaimed Broadway productions before transitioning to the screen, where his star began to rise in the 2010s following his role as Victor Strand in Fear The Walking Dead. From there, his presence only grew, landing memorable supporting roles in If Beale Street Could Talk, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and the hit series Euphoria.
In more recent years, Colman has stepped fully into the spotlight with standout leading performances in Rustin and Sing Sing, both of which earned him widespread critical acclaim and Academy Award nominations for Best Actor.
With all that said, Colman's advice is no doubt powerful, especially for those who are chasing their dreams, building something from the ground up, or have question marks about what's next in their careers. Words shape our realities, and how we speak about our journeys even in passing matters.
Words Create Our Reality & Colman Is Living Proof
"I tell young people that. To remember the words that you say about yourself and your career are true. So, I choose to make it full of light and love and it's interesting and every day I'm going to learn something new even if it looks like I don't have what I want but it's important to be in the moment... you really build on the moments moment to moment.
"And you're looking back at your career as I've been in it for what 33 years and you're like, 'Wow, that's what I've been doing.' And I've stayed strong to that so I think that is truly my advice."
Let this be your sign to give your path a reframe. When the path you're on feels uncertain, the journey is still unfolding. Like Colman said: "I wasn't attached to a struggle. I was attached to living."
That's a Black king right there.
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