Women's History Month is observed around the world on Friday, with countries recognizing International Women's Day.
The 2024 campaign theme is “Inspire inclusion.”
“This year’s campaign theme highlights the important role of inclusion in achieving gender equality. We call for action to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes and create an environment where all women are valued and respected. Inspire Inclusion encourages the recognition of the unique perspectives and contributions of everyone.We encourage the participation of women from all walks of life, including those from marginalized communities. Posted on the Women's Day website.
Two Fort Worth entrepreneurs are amplifying that theme with a video that unites their voices and celebrates what happens when women work together.
Mia Moss, owner of the award-winning Black Coffee in east Fort Worth, and Katrina Carpenter, owner of Carpenter's Cafe and Catering on the nearby south side, began the collaboration when they each started their businesses around the same time in 2019. I discovered value.
Three years later, I decided to use International Women’s Day 2022 as an opportunity to encourage other women entrepreneurs. They debuted Watch Women Werk that year, inviting women to participate in a marketplace-type environment where others could see the products and services they offered.
In 2024, the third annual Watch Women Werk International Women's Day event will feature the businesses of approximately 30 vendors. It has a message for all women: “Hey, sis. We see you.”
“Not all women are seen or feel seen, and that's what this project is about. Seeing how they work together and get the job done. Oh, that was kind of creepy,” Carpenter said while talking about the video. Made for an event.
“Hey, sis. Yes, you are an amazing force of nature that never rests. It's your time to shine bright like a star. Wherever you are, wherever you're going, you're right. “Where are you? You, you, my sister are powerful” are some of the words Carpenter describes as a love letter to his sister.
Local filmmaker Dominque Anderson of Blissful Sky Studios produced the video, with Visit Fort Worth serving as a sponsor.
Carpenter and Moss invited women of all ages, ethnicities, and walks of life to participate in the two-minute video, which aims to promote inclusion and provide validation to all women who feel alone.
One of the women featured in the video is Christine C. Moss. She was first elected to represent Fort Worth ISD's District 3 in her 1990s and went on to become the first African American female board president.
Moss' line: “Late at night, early in the morning, you do everything, and you do it with grace. Some days it feels like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, but your efforts are nothing like that.'' I want you to know that “Don't be noticed,'' was especially meaningful to my daughter-in-law.
“You may be married, there are so many different hierarchies and women feel like they have to do it all. So if she feels like the world rests on your shoulders and she has to do it all…” I put it in there that I felt like I had to do it, and I said, 'It means a lot that it doesn't go unnoticed,'' Mia Moss said.
For Carpenter, hearing and seeing a woman say the lines she wrote, such as “It's okay to pause to take a breath,” was a message she needed too. .
“It reminded me that I'm doing everything. It reminded me that it's okay to stop and take a breath. Then Mia takes a breath. I I take that breath with her,” Carpenter said. “It affects me a lot too. Sometimes you have to encourage yourself.”
But Carpenter and Moss have learned from their experience that it's easier when women come together, empowering and inspiring others to join them in working together to pave the way for a more inclusive future. ing.
“Watch us work. Watch us work together to get the job done. That's the beauty of collaboration,” Carpenter said.
Three dozen women-owned businesses will be participating in the third annual Watch Women Werk International Women's Day event on Friday, March 8, from noon to 5 p.m., at Black Coffee, 1417 Vaughan Blvd. in Fort Worth.
