It's International Women's Day—but what does that mean? 

IWD is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality.

It's a day to:

• celebrate women's achievements
• raise awareness about women's equality
• lobby for accelerated gender parity
• fundraise for female-focused charities

The first International Women's Day was held on 1911, according to the IWD website, which explains that it is not an organization. "The purpose of the International Women's Day website is to support the supporters, and in doing so it provides a platform to help forge positive change for women," the website states.  

Graphic above via instagram—InternationalWomensDay_global

Beauty brands—along with the rest of the world—are marking the occasion with different types of campaigns and messages of support. 

Each year, an annual IWD campaign theme is celebrated—and continues all year long. It aims to "unify direction and galvanize activity by providing a meaningful framework to connect and amplify action," IWD's website states. 

This year, the theme is the #ChooseToChallenge

IWD's website explains: 

We can choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequity. We can choose to seek out and celebrate women's achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world. From challenge comes change, so let's all #ChooseToChallenge.

Mintel's Picks for the #ChooseToChallenge

Mintel is celebrating International Women's Day with a discussion about how the women's rights movement has influenced female purchasing power, buying behaviors of today's female shoppers—and the role brands play in empowering women.

What brands and female founders top the lists for impact and engagement? Here's where to listen to Mintel's podcast.

Mintel also asked its analysts across our global offices to highlight one woman in their industry who they feel personifies this year’s theme of 'Choose to Challenge.'

Mintel's picks are shown above—they are:

Sharon Chuter, founder of Uoma Beauty; Pimrypie, online merchant and influencer; Caroline Cotto and Claire Schlemme, founders of Renewal Mill; Djamila Ribeiro, a social activist, writer, and philosopher; Rina Ishii, founder of Nagi and CEO of BLAST Inc.; and Magdalena Kubit, CEO of Magda Plant-Based.

And—here are a few female beauty founders that should be on your radar. 

Take a look at these women-led beauty brands in the slideshow: 7 Inspiring Female Beauty Brand Founders To Support

Check out how their mission is in line with Mintel's latest trend report in the Online Exclusive: Beauty Brands Led By Women On a Mission To Do Good

 

 

 

 

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