In celebration of March as National Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day (March 8), it’s a fitting time to spotlight the achievements and contributions women have made to society and, of course, within the beverage industry.

The adage “We’ve come a long way baby,” continues to resonate. As of January 2017, there were an estimated 11.6 million women-owned businesses in the United States that employed nearly 9 million people and generated more than $1.7 trillion in revenues, according to the 2017 State of the Women-Owned Businesses Report.

During a 20-year period, the number of women-owned businesses grew 114 percent compared with the overall national growth rate of 44 percent and the rate at which women-owned businesses took on employees outpaced all businesses at 27 percent vs. 13 percent, the report said.

During March, several events across the country shone the spotlight on the contributions of women. For example, Jane Walker by Johnnie Walker hosted “The Face of Change: A Conversation on Women’s Progress” panel featuring actress and activist Sophia Bush, along with women who are leading the charge forward in their industries, including Sophie Kelly, senior vice president of whiskies at Diageo North America.

At Natural Products Expo West, Caroline MacDougal, Founder of Teeccino Caffé, a certified woman-owned company, highlighted the company’s dedication to bringing healthy, delicious tasting roasted herbal teas and caffeine-free coffee alternatives to consumers worldwide. The woman-led company also helps to educate and support women as income earners in Guatemala, the company said in a statement.

Another successful entrepreneur, Kara Goldin went from experimenting with different fruit and vegetable combinations in her kitchen to founding hint Inc., a successful, $100 million beverage company offering flavored still, sparking and caffeinated waters and a new kids’ lineup. (To learn more, please click here).