Facebook just made it easier for female entrepreneurs to connect
Facebook is reaching beyond marketing gimmicks for International Women's Day.
On March 8, the social media platform is launching practical tools for professional women "who are leading the way in their communities."
First up, Facebook is finally launching a new Community Finder tool for its #SheMeansBusiness program, which will connect female entrepreneurs and women-owned businesses in 23 countries, including the U.S., Vietnam, Australia, Korea, Turkey, Mexico, and India.
Originally launched in 2016, and supported by Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg's Lean In organization, the program is meant to help professional women share advice and resources in order to develop their businesses.
Alongside practical advice on creating Facebook ads and such, there are recommended Facebook Blueprint business courses and profiles of successful female entrepreneurs already on the site, with video interviews and links to their businesses.
Plus, Facebook will be holding "Open Door" events at Facebook offices around the world, which will invite women to attend workshops and networking nights.
Back in your Facebook feed, the social network is working on a few things for International Women's Day. It's launching a new "Credit Her" campaign, which highlights women both past and present who "didn't get credit the first time."
These women include "Battle of the Sexes" tennis star Billie Jean King, pioneer of computer programming Grace Hopper, nuclear physicist Dr. Chien Shiung Wu, polar explorer Jade Hameister, and blues legend Big Mama Thornton, who recorded the original version of Elvis Presley's "Hound Dog."
CARD ID: 328825
The second half of the "Credit Her" video celebrates women who have fought for equality, including #BlackLivesMatter co-founder Patrisse Cullors, and women who have been "firsts" in their field, including director Alice Guy, computer programmer Ada Lovelace, and NFL coach Jen Welter.
And of course, they're not going to leave out the cute themed borders for your posts. Facebook's also got some IWD goodies for you to show a little love with special themed backgrounds, cards, and photo frames for messages or posts.
CARD ID: 328827
Go forth and conquer.
Topics Facebook Social Good Social Media
Shannon Connellan is Mashable's UK Editor based in London, formerly Mashable's Australia Editor, but emotionally, she lives in the Creel House. A Tomatometer-approved critic, Shannon writes about entertainment, tech, social good, science, culture, and Australian horror.
