The very first Gap store was founded in 1969 on an equal partnership between Doris and Don Fisher. They both co-owned the store in San Francisco with an equal investment, making a simple, but powerful statement that has guided our business for over 50 years. As we get ready to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, our brands are working to champion the women who inspire us every day.
Gender equality has been at the core of our company since the beginning, with progress continuing today. Consider this:
- Women hold over half of the leadership roles across the company and make up over 70 percent of Gap Inc. employees globally.
- Gap Inc. was the first Fortune 500 company to validate it pays men and women equally for equal work in 2014.
- And, over 500,000 women and girls have now participated in P.A.C.E. (Personal Advancement & Career Enhancement) in 17 countries! Originally launched for women working in the apparel supply chain, P.A.C.E. is a program founded by Gap Inc. that provides education and life skills training for women and girls to help them reach their full potential.
Together, our brands are championing the women who are breaking molds, inspiring others, and pushing forward in their everyday lives. And this year for International Women’s Day on March 8, Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy are supporting one of our primary nonprofit partners, CARE in support of P.A.C.E. with a total $120,000 in donations.
Here are the ways each of brands are celebrating this year:
GAP
Gap is honoring International Women’s Day by partnering with strong, resilient and inspiring women, Rebecca Alexander and Hannah Corderman, to design GapFit Breathe tops. Both Rebecca and Hannah were born with Usher Syndrome, a condition that will one day leave them blind and deaf. Instead of living life in fear, both women persevere with a positive spirit and unyielding strength that allows them to push forward with resilience and fortitude. These special tops were made in a factory supported by P.A.C.E. Every year, Gap dedicates a portion of profits to fund P.A.C.E. and this year, they will contribute a donation to our nonprofit partner, CARE.
BANANA REPUBLIC
Banana Republic will celebrate International Women’s Day and salute female trailblazers and boundary breakers with a $100,000 donation to CARE in support of P.A.C.E.In addition, Banana Republic is continuing its partnership with goop, the lifestyle brand founded by Gwyneth Paltrow, celebrating female culture changers. The goop Edit for Banana Republic capsule includes five everyday essentials, inspired by the confidence and presence of strong women. A second eight-part installment of Women on Top, the first custom co-branded series on The goop Podcast, features ceiling-shattering female leaders who have broken boundaries to get where they are today. For more details of their commitment to equality and campaign, see here.
OLD NAVY
Old Navy is offering a new limited-edition International Women’s Day graphic tee in-stores and on Oldnavy.com to celebrate the collective “she” – moms, sisters, BFFs, boss ladies, and of course, all of our amazing female customers. The brand is also spotlighting inspirational women from the Old Navy family in a week-long series leading up to March 8 and donating to the non-profit partner CARE in their honor.
ATHLETA
Athleta is standing up to support women and girls by partnering with Women’s Sports Foundation. Founded in 1974 by tennis legend, Billie Jean King, the Women's Sports Foundation is dedicated to creating leaders by enabling all girls and women to reach their potential in sports and life. For every Athleta “Stand Up, Stand Together” graphic tee purchased online or in store from February 28 through April 31, Athleta will donate $10 to the Women’s Sports Foundation, up to $50,000.
INTERMIX
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment, INTERMIX is partnering with Sophia Bush and Rock the Vote to stand up for equal representation and encourage women to vote. Launching today, text the word INTERMIX to 788-683, go to intermixonline.com, or visit any of their 32 boutiques to register to vote. Additionally, on March 7th and 8th, a custom INTERMIX “voting booth” will be located at 98 Prince Street, New York, where shoppers are invited to send a vote of confidence to women who inspire them. Pre-addressed postcards with prompts to inspirational female leaders will be available, alongside blank postcards to write to an inspiring woman in their lives. For more details, see here.
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