Today is International Women’s Day and I feel conflicted. I know that many out there are celebrating A Day Without a Woman by staying home from jobs and not engaging in paid or unpaid work. I think that’s awesome–we all need to resist in whatever way makes sense to us. And I know that those who strike, do so on behalf of those who can not and that’s the heart of Feminism anyway, isn’t it? So I’m grateful for those.

There are a lot of people who couldn’t contribute to this strike even if they really felt compelled to do it. There are soldiers out there who can’t take a day off. There are mothers out here who need to diaper and nurse their babies. My cost is so much lower–if I don’t engage in unpaid work, I’ll simply go to a restaurant for lunch. My laundry will not get folded for just one more day and there won’t be a blog post here to read. But if I don’t go to work, my bad-ass, lady boss will have to stay late. And sure she could just not go to work but then that’s a whole day  that her store will be closed and that just doesn’t seem realistic.

So because all of this was on my mind, and because I do want to take action to honor the women who came before me to give me the rights that I have, I want to talk to you about another option: support! What if we gave our money to some incredible Women Owned Businesses on this–International Women’s Day? Shall we?

For those of you who are local to the McPherson, Kansas area you have some great options!

Obviously there’s Twice Told Tales, the only used bookstore in McPherson! I work there, so obviously it’s going to be the first shop I mention. I love the way that Jessica keeps the store super duper organized and she fights for the rights of women and girls as a part of her general, personal lifestyle.

Then go next door to the Main Street Deli and eat a delicious, messy, unladylike Reuben sandwich. Get the pie and don’t ever let the words “I’m gonna be bad” ever pass your lips.

Brooklyn and Co and The Cooks Nook are two stores that I love to go to when I want to just browse through some beautiful things. Any time I’m looking for a beautiful gift, these are the spots that I hit up first.

Then, get in the car and drive 10 minutes to Lindsborg where you can visit Connected Fair Trade and then go down the street and finish your day off with a delicious coffee at The White Peacock.

What I just described to you is, like, my ideal afternoon.

Do you live far away or can’t make it out, today? Let’s talk about some incredible online stores that are owned by women and doing good work.

Let’s start with Wildfang: This is where everyone’s getting those Wild Feminist t-shirts. This company is incredible because they focus on clothes that aren’t definitively “feminine” or “masculine”. They’re just great clothes that are awesome. Cool stuff for everyone! I especially adore this Spur T-Shirt Dress.

Next up, Butter London. This company was started in 2005 by two cool ladies selling high quality, 3-Free nail lacquer. Today their shop sells all kinds of makeup and beauty products. Right now they’re having a really cool mystery sale where they’ll send you 6 full sized items for $35 (a $100 value).

Brit + Co was founded in  2011 and has become one of the largest digital media companies for women. In addition to helpful and insightful articles and products, Brit + Co offers online classes that will help you learn how to do basically anything that you want. Want to take up a watercolor hobby? Cool. Want to start brewing your own beer? Totally. Thinking about how to style your Instagram photos to get more engagement and drive traffic to your blog or website? Got you covered. Become an empowered, educated person!

Finally, let me tell you about Society Plus, a great company founded by plus sized women for plus sized women. Jessica Kane and Michelle Crawford, tried to get their youthful, colorful, fun clothes into department stores but were told that plus sized women wouldn’t buy them. They said that plus size women don’t value themselves so they won’t celebrate themselves in great, fun pieces like this. They were told that they should focus on baggy clothes in dark colors. But they didn’t back down–instead they started their own shop because they believe that fat women deserve to be honored and adorned. That’s why I believe in this company and why I give them my dollars. I also love that they include their model’s measurements and the sizes that they’re wearing so that I can decide if something will work well for me. I am looking for an affordable, maxi dress for my capsule wardrobe and this side-slit maxi is exactly what I’ve been searching for. Oh, did I mention the free shipping event they just happen to be having today?

Are there any great women-owned businesses that you want to plug? Leave them in the comments either here or on the Facebook page so that we can all learn about and support them!

Happy International Women’s Day everyone!

XOXO, Lib