It’s National Women’s History Month!

Here’s to the all the women that make the c-store industry great!

In 1987, the United States Congress officially designated March as National Women’s History Month, and the United Kingdom and Australia weren’t far behind. It’s meant as a celebration of all the positive events and historical milestones that women have influenced or flat-out made happen[1]. To make it official, the U.S. president even issues an annual proclamation when the month arrives.

This is a fine appreciation, well deserved, but if you are part of the convenience store industry, you don’t need to be reminded, you already know. Women are an established part of every aspect of our professional lives: whether it’s clerking inside the store, wrangling a warehouse forklift, driving a distributor’s truck, lobbying for the industry with law makers, or crunching the numbers at the site and corporate levels.

Not to mention the support and knowhow women provide for SSCS, helping to elevate our company and the software and services we provide to the highest professional standard.

The industry has its own official recognition of professional women, sponsored every year by Convenience Store News, which is fun for us because we always see honorees that are customers of ours. Fellow industry publication, CSP, recently started a Convenience Store Women’s initiative, which culminates with an annual event, this coming November 4–6 in Charleston, South Carolina.

This is nothing new. The development of our industry is full of female movers and shakers. Before we wrap up, let’s mention some of them.

Bertha Benz. The wife of automobile inventor Karl Benz, she made the first long-distance automobile trip in 1888, refueling at drugstores and city apothecaries. Her journey demonstrated the need for more accessible and dedicated gasoline refueling stations.

Isabel Morgan Brenton. This pioneering female entrepreneur established a network of gas stations for women in the early 20th century. Known as “The Gasoline Queen,” Brenton provided a safe and welcoming environment for female drivers to refuel their vehicles, highlighting the need for gender-inclusive services in the retail petroleum industry.

Ruth Colvin. Helped the founder of the Stop-N-Go chain pioneer the concept of self-service and a consistent shopping experience for customers.

Betty Lennox. Lennox was the co-founder of QuikTrip, helping establish the chain as an industry leader, with a focus on providing high-quality products and services to customers.

Thanks again to all the women that make our industry great, including those on our SSCS team! We can’t wait to see what good things the future has in store for you, and the industry.

Enjoy your month!

[1] Don’t forget NCAA Championship Women’s hoops, a part of March Madness that got off to a start yesterday.