Heritage Months and Women’s Days
Single Working Women’s Day – August 4
Founded by Barbara Payne in 2006, Single Working Women’s Day is observed annually on August 4 to recognize and celebrate single career women, who play a vital role in shaping the world around us – yet are often left out of mainstream narratives.
Growing up, my mother kept a quote from one of our shared heroes, the late Texas Governor Ann Richards, on the fridge: “Learn to enjoy your own company. You are the one person you can count on living with for the rest of your life.” That message stays with me even now, shaping how I view independence and purpose. It’s a mindset I hope we to pass down to future generations.
I’m thankful for the trailblazing women who came before us, who broke barriers in male-dominated fields and fought for the opportunities many of us have today. And I’m especially grateful to my mother, who encouraged independence, especially as public rhetoric continues to stereotype single women as “career-obsessed,” “unfulfilled,” or “selfish.” (And don’t get me started on the absurd “childless cat lady” trope).
It’s worth remembering that just a few decades ago, a woman could be fired simply for getting married. Today, single working women face a different set of challenges. Early in my career, I was once asked about my dating life in a meeting, while a male colleague was asked about his five-year goals. Further, a married coworker was praised for pursuing an advanced degree while I was asked if I was “seeing anyone special.” The disparity was hard to miss.
In conversations with fellow single working women, similar themes emerged:
- Being asked intrusive, personal questions about their dating life in professional environments, even in front of mentors or executives.
- Exclusion from networking events because they don’t have a “plus-one.”
- The expectation to work late or on weekends because they “don’t have responsibilities at home,” as if being single implies endless availability.
- Being perceived as “bragging” for celebrating a career win or enjoying free time as society seems to often equate being single with “missing something.”
This conversation isn’t about minimizing the experiences of partnered women or mothers, or elevating one group of women above another. It’s about embracing the full spectrum of women’s experiences, including those who are forging their own paths solo. I urge colleagues and employers to consider how often women are defined by their relationship status – and why. Let’s focus on shifting the conversation to affirming all women and their choices, whether they’re single, married, mothers, or neither.
So, on this annual celebration of Single Working Women’s Day, let’s raise a glass to all the single working women who are unapologetically building their lives on their own terms. I hope today, and every day, you are celebrated for your contributions and ambition. You deserve it.
