MACON, Ga. — March is Women's History Month and this year's theme highlights women advocating for equity, diversity, and inclusion.
13WMAZ wanted to highlight some successful women in Macon.
According to the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Central Georgia ranks #2 in growing women-owned businesses.
The Prado shopping center is home to many woman-owned businesses and they say they've become family.
Carol Kaplan owns Carol's Linens and has been in business for over 47 years.
"We have been in the Central Georgia community for a long time," Kaplan said. "It's a wonderful environment because there are so many locally owned women-owned businesses in our center."
Kaplan says it's nice to be surrounded and supported by women, especially working alongside her sister and daughter.
"My roots here are deep and go back far," Kaplan said. "I just love to feel that I have had some small part in making Macon what it is. Because of our understanding of what our customers are looking for, well, that's precisely why they keep coming back to us because they know that we are here and that we can help them with their needs."
Across the way is Rumor Boutique.
Ridley White and Mary Parker-Hall have been working there for about two and a half years.
"All the businesses in The Prado are really great. Everyone knows everyone," White said. "We have so many ranges of clothes from jeans to maxi dresses, wedding attire, everyday wear and for all ages."
They say serving their customers goes beyond the fabric.
"We have such a great environment and atmosphere here at Rumor," Parker-Hall said. "We have clothes for every age and I think that's what makes us unique. It's important that we help the customers find something they feel confident in."
Parker-Hall says Women's History Month has a deeper and more special meaning to women-owned businesses.
They know they have to work harder than the big box stores, but she said the best thing about it is seeing her customers feel good about what they picked out and knowing they're supporting local.
"I think it's really just about supporting women and supporting the women around you and encouraging them and building them up," Parker-Hall said. "That's kind of what we do. We're always focused on encouraging either the customers shopping or each other."
The Prado shopping center is located on Forsyth Road in Macon.
According to the United States Census, women business owners own over 12 million businesses and employ over 10 million workers.
Happy Women's History Month!