Women's Empowerment

Women make up nearly 70% of Nordstrom employees, as well as the majority of our customers and the majority of the people working in our global supply chain. Supporting women's empowerment is not only the right thing to do—it's a business imperative.

Supporting the women who work in our supply chain is part of our commitment to human rights. When women are healthier, their children and families are healthier. And when women have an income, they tend to invest in their children and families, creating benefits that reach far beyond themselves.

We aim to drive positive change by producing more of our products in factories where women have resources to learn, grow and lead. We're also dedicating a portion of our corporate grantmaking to this topic for the first time.

In 2007, Nordstrom was the first retailer to begin implementing BSR's HERproject™ programming in an apparel factory. Since then, we've partnered to launch HERproject worker empowerment programs in more than 40 factories, reaching nearly 40,000 workers. 

In 2020, 32% of Nordstrom Made product volume was made in HERproject factories that invested in women's empowerment. By the end of 2021, we expect 60% of Nordstrom Made product volume to be produced in BSR facilities, and we expect to reach 55,000 workers. We're expanding production in factories that have made this commitment as we work to achieve our 2025 goal.

These programs have ripple effects that benefit families and entire communities by providing valuable skills and education that can help people thrive at work and beyond. Our factory partners have also seen business benefits as a result of the program, including reduced absenteeism and turnover.

Products made in HERproject factories can be found in our Sustainable Style category because they meet our criteria for responsible manufacturing.

In 2020, we began expanding the scope of our commitment to women by making a grant to CARE in honour of International Women's Day and Women's History Month. This year, we're continuing our commitment to CARE and are now donating to and partnering with Fashion Makes Change, a coalition of brands, nonprofits and consumers dedicated to educating and empowering women working within the global fashion supply chain. By finding new ways to support these women, we aim to help break the cycle of poverty and create new opportunities for dignified work.