by At the Hopkins Community Center nonprofit One Good Deed held a women’s day celebration to bring together women business owners and community on March 8.
March 8 is international women’s day, which is designated to celebrate women’s fight for equality. In total the event drew in 35 women-led businesses, with the majority of the crowd and attendees being women, girls and families.
The founder and owner of One Good Deed Michelle Christenson has been running her organization for 8 years, with the mission of creating one community centered event to spread kindness each month.
“I put this event together honoring women and all of the different inspirational things that women do, can do, will do and do,” Christenson said. “I often tell people that there is a lot more kindness and a lot more kind people in the world than what we give each other credit for.”
The event had a steady flow of attendees through the afternoon, with old friends chatting and exchanging hugs, and business owners exchanging tips.
According to the 2025 Impact of Women-Owned Businesses Report produced by Wells Fargo, women own approximately 39% of U.S. businesses, and generate $3.3 trillion annually.
Though there has been more growth in women-owned businesses, at their current rate of growth it will take 120 years for women to reach equal revenue with their male counterparts.
Business owner Sierra Leone’ Dillard who owns and runs Milestone Creations creates teas and cookies to help lactation for new mothers, and increase fertility as well as maintain prenatal health. She also works as a doula as her main form of business.
A doula is someone who cheerleads a mother through her pregnancy all the way up to the birth, and then advocates for them as they deliver their baby. Post delivery the doula may offer advice and support.
“I was asked to come here and I mean anytime we’re celebrating anything about women, whether it be international or just about women period, I’m down for supporting and being there because it’s important to talk about this,” Leone’ Dillard said. “As you know many women, many people who give birth, they need to know how to properly bring their babies into the world, and peacefully.”
League of Women Voters volunteer Jackie Wells, said even though women have the right to vote, there is still a lot of room to grow.
“International women’s day is very important to encourage women in all facets of their lives to get involved, to work against discrimination,” Wells said. “I think it’s still a factor in the workplace and other areas of their lives.”
At the University of Minnesota, women business students and others work their way towards entering a post-graduation workforce that is still gendered.
There are a variety of resources available to women for support before they graduate college. At the University of Minnesota Women’s Center there’s access to webinars helping women increase their professionalism and come together.
Additionally around the University of Minnesota community there are many women owned businesses and restaurants. To access a comprehensive list of women owned businesses in Minneapolis, here is a link to MeetMinneapolis’ guide.
