On some calendars, March was Women’s History Month. But according to “Key Facts About Women Business Owners and Their Enterprises,” from the National Women’s Business Council, every month could be dubbed Women’s Business Month.

Between 1977 and 2002, an average of 424 new women-owned firms were started every day. That translates to almost 775,000 start-ups every year, representing 55 percent of all new firm start-ups. Nationwide, as of 2002, there are more than 10 million privately-held businesses in which a woman or women own at least 50 percent of the company. These firms generate $1.2 trillion in sales and employ 18.2 million people.

More than half of the women-owned firms operate in the service sector. Sixteen percent are in retail trade, and nine percent in finance, insurance, or real estate. In addition to diversity, one finds strong growth.

Between 1997 and 2002, women-owned firms grew by 11 percent, outpacing all privately-held firms, which grew by six percent. Among women-owned firms employment increased by 18 percent, compared to only eight percent among all privately-held firms. Revenues rose by a full 32 percent, compared to 24 percent among all private firms. Those grew by seven percent from 1997 to 2002 while women-owned business grew by 14 percent, twice the rate. The revenue increase for the two groups was the same, a healthy 40 percent.

The number of women-owned firms with 100 or more employees increased by 44 percent from 1997-2002. The number with more than $1 million in revenue grew by 32 percent. The fastest growth rates were in “non-traditional” industries such as construction, where women-owned firms increased by 36 percent. There was also strong growth in agricultural services, transportation, and public utilities.

According to “Key Facts About Women Business Owners and Their Enterprises,” women-owned businesses survive at virtually the same rate, around 75 percent, as all businesses. However, women-owned businesses showed a lower decline in unemployment, 4.2 percent, compared to a 6.7 percent decline among all business establishments.

The workforce in women-owned business is 52-percent female, 48-percent male, roughly equal and better balanced than in firms owned by men, where women are 38 percent of the workforce. Though somewhat smaller, women-owned firms generate sales with fewer median employees, 26, versus 50 with male-owned firms. This translates to a rate of productivity 1.7 times higher.

Business growth and expansion were the top issues in a survey of the National Association of Women Business Owners. Others issues include cash flow, capital, and, of course, taxes.

While the growth figures are impressive by any count, there is no reason for complacency. The National Women’s Business Council notes that the fastest growing states for women-owned businesses are Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, South Dakota, New Mexico, Montana, Oregon, and Alaska. That leaves out a lot of the country, including the entire East. And it also means there is still a lot of room for women-owned firms to grow.

What there is not room for, in light of these figures, is the mindset that women remain passive victims of a patriarchal society, that their problems stem from gender discrimination, that they are helpless without government assistance, and that they stand in constant need of representation by self-appointed celebrity leaders.

The startling growth, prosperity, and efficiency of women-owned businesses are a clear refutation of the standard-brand feminism that has failed to keep pace with reality.

Sally Pipes is President and CEO at the California-based Pacific Research Institute for Public Policy. She can be reached via email at spipes@pacificresearch.org.