Business and Entrepreneur

Economic independence is fundamental to empowerment. The women in this list have taken risks, shown initiative and invested their time and energy in activities that have bought about concrete economic benefits both for themselves but also on the people around them. Whether it is the trade union organiser who has negotiated for safer and more productive working conditions, the creator of a software application to help children with autism to communicate, or the founder of a small business now employing other women, these women demonstrate how women can take the lead in creating better economic opportunities.

The women are listed in no particular order.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Eden Full

Name: Eden Full

Where:  USA
What she does: Solar Panel Engineer
Impact: Created the solar panel tracking system bringing electricity to homes in Kenyan villages

Full nomination here

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Farida

Name: Farida

Where: India
What she does: Embroiderer
Impact: Fair wages for women embroiderers working from home in Delhi and greater security for her family
Nominated by: Bethan Cobley, One World Action

Full nomination here

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Name: Dr. Cassandra Caldwell

Where: USA 
What she does: Entrepreneur
Impact: Founded the International Society of Diversity and Inclusion Professionals (ISDIP) – the first comprehensive professional association that spans across industries and across public and private sectors
Nominated by: Gail Zoppo

Website: www.isdip.org

Full nomination here

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Name: Becky John

Becky John

Where: UK
What she does: Ethical clothing in the UK
Impact: She empowers marginalised women by providing employment, education, social and community space
Nominated by: Servene Mouazan, CEO of Ogunte

Website: www.whomadeyourpants.co.uk

Full nomination here

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Name: Meenu Vadera

Where: Delhi, India
What she does: Introduced women-only taxis
Impact: Has made travelling in Delhi safer for women and provides training and work for women from marginalised communities
Nominated by: Servane Mouazan, CEO of Ogunte

Full nomination here

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Mabel Kiggundu

Name: Mabel Kiggundu

Where: Uganda
What she does: Founder and managing consultant of Empowad Ltd
Impact: Uses her expertise in business development and entrepreneurship to teach other Ugandan women how to develop their own businesses and gain access to much needed finance
Nominated by:  Eniola Mafe

Website: www.uweal.co.ug 

Full nomination here

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Name: Lisa Domican

Lisa and Grace Domican

Where: UK
What she does: Created Grace App Communication for Autism
Impact: Helps people with Autism to communicate their needs independently
Nominated by: Servane Mouazan, CEO of Ogunte

Website: http://graceappforautismoniphone.blogspot.com/

Full nomination here

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Name: Clara Machishi

Where: Zambia
What she does: Carpenter
Impact: Challenged the stereotype of only male carpenters and earns enough to support her children in school
Nominated by: Wendy Ngoma, One World Action

Website: www.wfc.org.zm

Full nomination here

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Nazma Akter

Name: Nazma Akter

Where: Rajabari, Gazipur, Bangladesh
What she does: A small entrepreneur
Impact: Brought economic security to her family
Nominated by: Biploby Rani Dey Roy, Development Education Officer, Gazipur Program Unit

Full nomination here

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Name: Lauren Craig

Where: UK
What she does: Founder and owner of ‘Thinking Flowers’
Impact: Founded an environmentally ethical floral design consultancy
Nominated by: Servane Mouazan, CEO of Ogunte

Website: www.thinkingflowers.org.uk

Full nomination here

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Momela Khatun

Name: Momela Khatun

Where: Prohladpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh
What she does: Established business
Impact: Brought economic security in her family and provides jobs to vulnerable women
Nominated By: Zakir Hossain, Area Coordinator, Gazipur Program Unit

Full nomination here

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Miriam Kennet

Name: Miriam Kennet

Where: UK
What she does: Founder of Green Economics Institute
Impact: Has turned green economics from an idea to a robust academic discipline
Nominated by: Karen Crawford

Website: www.greeneconomics.org.uk

Full nomination here

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Lindsay Andrews

Name: Lindsey W. Andrews

Where: USA
What she does: Lawyer and co founder of LoPa Art
Impact: Has helped underprivileged children in the USA and Ethiopia

Website: www.lopaart.com

Full nomination here

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Name: Kaba Djénébou said Sabou Cisse

Where: Kita, Mali
What she does: President of village cooperative
Impact: More than 400 women have been trained by Mrs Cisse and now achieve greater financial independence
Nominated By: Anshu Rastogi, Plan International

Full nomination here

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Name: Konate Waly Kante

Where: Nianzana, Mali
What she does: Leader of local savings and loan group
Impact: Engages new communities in the savings programme
Nominated By: Anshu Rastogi, Plan International

Full nomination here

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Marla Nelson

Name: Marla Nelson

Where: Birmingham, UK
What she does: Runs social enterprise Enterprise Solutions
Impact: Provided strategic support for social enterprises and projects
Nominated by: Sheridan Sulskis

Website: http://www.enterprise-solutions.org.uk

Full nomination here

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Name: Inca Waddell

Country: South Africa
What she does: Entrepreneur/ Business woman
Impact: Preserving South Africa’s unique craft heritage and supporting women with product development
Nominated by: Bethan Cobley, One World Action

Full nomination here

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Name: Adelaide Foute Tega

Where: Cameroon
What she does: Leads a women’s market traders union
Impact: Empowers women by teaching them the laws and regulations of the market, equipping them with the ability to defend their rights and developing further leadership skills
Nominated by: Helah Robinson, Vital Voices Global Partnership

Full nomination here

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Maureen Ezeigbo

Name: Maureen Ezeigbo

Where: Nigeria
What she does: Promotes women in management and business in Nigeria
Impact: Accelerates economic growth for women
Nominated by: Sarah Ewing, Vital Voices

Full nomination here

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Name: Avinder Laroya

Where: UK
What she does: Entrepreneur, business owner, lawyer
Impact: She is a strong role model for other women in business
Nominated by: Marcie Buxton

Website: www.devatasinternational.com

Full nomination here

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Ms Maureen Odoi

Name: Ms. Maureen Odoi

Where: Ghana
What she does: Founder of the African Aurora Business Network (AABN)
Impact: Accelerates economic growth for women
Nominated by: Celena Green, Vital Voices

Full nomination here