The first annual Women’s Entrepreneurship Day isn’t being forgotten in St. Joseph as area women are recognized Wednesday for their involvement in the workforce.

“It is for women who are leaders in their business or women who own their business,” said Rebecca Evans, Regional Dir. of the Small Business Technology Center. “It’s a networking opportunity for the women in the community.”

To celebrate the first Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, the SBTDC is hosting a networking event from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, at the Historic Green Acres building, located at 3500 N. Village Drive in St. Joseph, Mo.

“The unique thing about women is that they actually make very good Entrepreneurs,” said Evans. “For micro loans they have a 96% payback rate which is really good compared to men so that makes them a good risk to lenders.”

Women’s Entrepreneurship Day will be recognized Wednesday in 144 countries.

“The purpose of it this year is just to bring awareness to the event,” said Evans.

The day is part of an entire week to celebrate innovators who launch startups. Global Entrepreneurship Week runs through Nov. 23. Evans said it’s important to recognize small business owners because they keep the community alive.

“When the economy tanked basically it was small business owners who were continuing to employ people instead of laying people off,” said Evans. “When you think small business you might think the guy down the street or the lady down the street that has a business that employees two or three people but they grown. If you go to their stores and you utilize their services they grow to then employ 20 people or 30 people and those are the ones that are going to stay.”