International Women’s Day is more than just a global celebration of the accomplishments of women. It’s also an opportunity to get involved in the fight for gender equality, to demand progress, raise awareness against bias, and to fight for a better future. Feminism is not just an identity — it’s an everyday practice, a real, practical effort to support equality across all political, social, and economic lines between the sexes. Or, at least, it should be.
Today, people all over the world engage in a variety of activism and answer the call to action. Years before, many women vowed to only make purchases from businesses run by women and minorities for the day, and others refrained from purchasing anything at all to show the world what a “day without women” could do to the economy. Women control 80% of consumer spending yet represent only 4.8% of CEOs in the Fortune 500. When we direct our dollars to women owned businesses we create opportunity and change.
Today I’m asking you to put your money to investing in women’s brands in cycling and beyond that are doing more to create equality and opportunity for women and girls.You can help women around the world #balanceforbetter by supporting one of these incredible brands and women in honor of International Women’s Day.
A Quick Brown Fox – Ayesha McGowan is on the ways to be the first African American female pro cyclists. Support this gal and listen to her podcast here and check out some #representationmatters merch!
Beryl – Emily Brooke’s started out with Laserlight: the bike light that projects a laser image ahead of you, so drivers know you’re there – even if you’re in their blind spot.
Cora – Organic and biodegradable pad and tampon company that pays your tampon tax while helping women and girls in developing countries by providing pads and health education.
Cleverhood – They’ve expanded beyond their original rain cape but the same attention to detail is put into all of their products.
Dazey LA – Taking an angle of the female gaze, Dazey pieces are 100 percent cotton, handmade in L.A. with minimal waste, every time.
Dough – Looking for a one-stop shop for products from women-owned businesses? You can search by categories like “Freshly Baked,” “Subscriptions,” “Earth Friendly” and more.
Girlfriend Collective – The too-good-to-be-true athletic leggings, bras, and tops are made from 25 recycled water bottles and are sustainably made.
Global Fund for Women – Global Fund For Women fights for girls’ and women’s human rights all over the world. The goal of their global is to find, fund, and strengthen other groups who work with the world’s most marginalized and at-risk women.
Glossier– What sets Glossier apart is the fact that it isn’t just a beauty brand — it’s a lifestyle. Some items are worth adding to your top shelf like the Solution.
FINDRA – Innovative, stylish & sustainable outdoor and active lifestyle clothing brand.
GoodOrdering – London cycling + commuting culture. Bags and eyewear.
Hummingbird Athletic – No matter what your level, or where you live, Hummingbird Athletic creates cycling clothing that looks and feels amazing on every body.
Lexi Miller Apparel – Lux and classy women’s cycling apparel line.
Liv Cycling – Comprehensive collection designed specifically for female cyclists, ranging from beautiful apparel to premium bicycles.
Machines For Freedom – Womens high-quality, high-performance, well thought-out cycling apparel for women who put in some serious miles.
Mogi – An effortless clip and go design yoga mat bag you can take anywhere you ride.
Nantucket Bike Baskets – Beautiful bike baskets
Po Campo – Active urban lifestyle cycling bag brand offering bike, yoga and casual travel bags built for experiencing the richness of city life – and looking good while doing it.
Range Magazine – An independent creative agency + magazine inspired by the culture of the modern outdoor movement.
Riide – Riide offers electric bikes that can be plugged into any standard wall outlet and recharge in half the time of other e-bikes on the market.
Room to Read – RTR believes that to change the world, we must first start by changing the way we educate children. The organization invests in nearly one million children in low-income countries around the world by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education.
Shredly – Featuring a multi-sport line of women’s mountain-bike inspired apparel, infused with vibrant colors, innovative designs, and practical attributes (lightweight, yet durable, fabrics with quick-dry properties), allows you to adventure in style.
Sawako Helmets – Beautiful and stylish helmets.
Swift Industries – Woman co-owned and operated bike packing company.
THINX – THINX advocates for a sustainable, scalable solution to ending period poverty and single use disposable products with a period proof reusable underwear.
Thousand Helmets – A theft proof retro bike helmet that keeping more people safe on the road. Also made of recyclable material.
Urbanist Cycling – Chamois panties that will help you cycle to work, run errands, and stay dry.
Va Va Lingerie- Changing the way women wear and think about lingerie by embracing images of women all shapes and colors, made of organic cotton.
Vespertine NYC – Cycle safety clothing with the intention to also encourage more women to ride.
Wheelsuckers Podcast – A “tandem” cycling podcast with Alex from Look mum no hands! and Jenni from the DIY bike workshop the London Bike Kitchen putting a comedy touch on topics in the cycling industry and sport.
Wild Rye – Beyond the clothes, they have Wild Rye Radio which covers stories of breaking trail, and the characters who led the way.
Image: Machines For Freedom