Nevada Women's Fund Celebrates Women's History Month

Nevada Women's Fund turns the City of Reno Arch purple for International Women's Day. The Arch will remain illuminated for the month of March.

What is International Women’s Day?

International Women’s Day, observed annually on March 8, is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It is also a powerful reminder of the ongoing work needed to achieve gender equality. The first IWD gathering was held in 1911, and since then, the movement has expanded, engaging millions of people in countries around the world.

Why Did Nevada Women’s Fund Turn Northern Nevada Purple for IWD? 

For four decades, Nevada Women’s Fund has been empowering women to achievement through education. However, as the state’s only women’s fund, we recognize that our responsibility extends beyond supporting women’s education. We must also advocate for the resources and opportunities necessary to ensure that women have the ability to develop, advance, and excel professionally at the same rate as their male counterparts.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, women make up just over 57% of the workforce, yet the gender pay gap persists. Women earn approximately 80 cents for every dollar earned by men, resulting in a $10,000 annual wage difference. At the current pace, full gender parity in the U.S. will not be achieved until 2158, and some experts argue that progress is slowing.

When women earn less, it impacts not only their individual financial security but also the entire household. Women are the primary breadwinners or co-breadwinners in more than 40% of U.S. households, meaning wage disparities affect families' economic well-being.

City of Reno turns the Believe sign purple in recognition of International Women's Day

Moreover, women generally live longer than men, which means they require more savings to maintain their standard of living in retirement. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average life expectancy for women is about 5 years longer than for men. Women face a greater risk of outliving their retirement savings due to lower lifetime earnings and the fact that they often invest less than men. This disparity is compounded by caregiving responsibilities, such as caring for children or aging family members, which can lead to fewer contributions to retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs. The unpaid nature of these caregiving roles further exacerbates the savings gap, leaving many women with less financial security in retirement.

International Women’s Day (IWD) provided Nevada Women’s Fund with the opportunity not only to celebrate the contributions of women but also to reinvigorate a community-wide conversation about wage parity and workplace equality. On March 8, more than 120 local organizations, agencies, and businesses came together in solidarity to show support for the women who shape our community. From city governments to corporate giants, and from retail floors to the kitchens of small business owners, our community came together with one unified voice—a voice dedicated to empowering and uplifting women.

Old Granite Street Eatery illuminates in purple for International Women's Day

In a state known for its vibrant neon lights, we saw a unique opportunity to make a bold visual statement. We rallied buildings, marquees, and landmarks across the city to shine in purple—the color of solidarity, justice, and feminism, and the official hue of both International Women’s Day and the Nevada Women’s Fund. Each year, on March 8th, iconic landmarks around the world participate in IWD LightUp, glowing in purple to symbolize support and unity. To close out the day’s events, the Nevada Women’s Fund illuminated the iconic Reno Arch in purple, creating a breathtaking display that underscored The Biggest Little City’s commitment to progress, empowerment, and opportunity for women everywhere. (View photos from all of the day's events here)

Nevada Women's Fund staff and board members with Senator Angela D. Taylor on the Nevada State Senate Floor

And just as we anticipated, word spread, and so did the opportunities to raise awareness beyond March 8. In celebration of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, 2025 Board Chair Candy Borrego and I had the honor of joining Senator Angela D. Taylor on the Senate floor. Senator Taylor, a proud Nevada Women’s Fund scholarship alumna and member of our prestigious Hall of Fame, spoke on behalf of Nevada Women's Fund, celebrating the organization’s impact in front of her legislative peers. It was truly an honor to have her lend her voice to our mission.

Additionally, for those who are fans or members of PBS Reno, we hope you’ve enjoyed their Women’s History Month programming throughout March, which we sponsored. This was a wonderful opportunity to elevate our name and mission with a new and engaged audience.

Finally, as we prepare to award over $500,000 in scholarships to this year’s recipients, we’re proud to share how Nevada Women’s Fund is transforming individual lives through education — while creating a ripple effect of opportunity, growth, and strength throughout our entire community. To learn more about the impact Nevada Women's Fund made last year, click here to read the 2024 Annual Report.

As we wrap up Women's History Month, we are building momentum together — momentum that will not only elevate women today but also drive lasting change for generations to come.