Happy International Women’s Day! This year, the day is unlike it’s predecessors. Still riding on the momentum from the Women’s March on Washington, today serves as a day for women to take the day off. A Day Without A Woman, as it’s being called, asks for support in any of the following ways:
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Women take the day off, from paid and unpaid labor.
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Avoid shopping for the day, except at businesses that are small, women- and minority-owned).
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Wear red.
The idea is great–in theory. The statement that could be made if every working woman decided to take the day off could have significant effects. Unfortunately, there are many women who cannot take the day off work (look at me, I’m writing this article right now). Wearing red is easy enough, my boyfriend even wore it accidentally today and was very confused when I thanked him for it. Shopping is a whole ‘nother thing.
The gender gap in business is real, and when I posted a query on social media asking people to share their favorite women-run businesses, the results were disappointingly sparse.
I was also looking for a very specific type of business: anything geeky. I took it upon myself to find some resources we can all benefit from not only today but in the future as well in order to support our geeky women.
Her Universe
Would that I could spend all my money at Her Universe! Founded by Ashley Eckstein (the voice of Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars: The Clone Wars), the brand she created houses clothing from popular licenses, like Star Wars, Doctor Who, Marvel, Star Trek, and more.
Kathleen Kennedy
Speaking of Star Wars, Kathleen Kennedy is one of the most powerful producers and presidents in Hollywood. Name a movie, she’s probably produced it. She is currently the guiding light that for the Star Wars revival. Before she was hired on at Lucasfilm, the possibility of more Star Wars movies was a dream.
Diane Nelson
DC has grown rapidly within the last few years and at the reins is Diane Nelson, the president of DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Consumer Products. Her work includes working with the company to produce the best possible entertainment content not only for DC video games, TV shows, and movies, but for Warner Bros. as well (including J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World).
Maximum Games
Founded by Christina Seeyle, Maximum Games is home to a variety of console and digital games. Games range from action and sports to more family-friendly puzzles and arcade games. Maximum Games was number 25 on the 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned Companies list of 2016.
Amalgam Comics and Coffeehouse
When real-life Storm Arielle Johnson opened Amalgam Comics in 2015, she became the first black woman to own a comic book shop on the East coast. The store is a welcoming space for those who often feel overlooked in the geek community, particularly young black geek girls.
Dweeb Divas
Online magazine Dweeb Divas speaks to those who love flipping through magazines to learn about fashion but are also really, really into video games. Owner and editor Alice Floropoulos wanted to create a magazine that women and LGBT gamers could turn to for recommendations for games, makeup, jewelry, and Twitch streams.
In-N-Out Burger
Sure, this recommendation isn’t necessarily geek-themed, but everybody’s gotta eat. President Lynsi Torres is 30-years-old and the youngest female billionaire in the U.S. I would love to be Queen of the Burgers.
This is only a small sampling of all the women-run and owned businesses that exist. Etsy is a wealth of geeky stores waiting for your dollars, and don’t get me started on all the women who create, write, and draw comics. List your favorite women and stores in the comments! And remember…
