Legacy of Entrepreneurship
Monday, September 4 we will celebrate Labor Day; a day to celebrate workers. It’s a great weekend where people often take mini-vacations as a last effort to get in some holiday time before school officially begins again in many areas. The long weekend takes people to the ocean waves, or fresh mountain air to enjoy time spent in family gatherings for picnics and merry making!
Interestingly, this is not why Labor Day was designed—although it was a ‘holiday’ of sorts! It evolved during a dark time in our American labor history. In the late 1800’s when the Industrial Revolution was a booming success, the average laborer was working a 12 hour day, seven days a week, just to make a very sparse living.
There were restrictions in some states, but children as young as five, worked in factories and in other areas earning only a fraction of the wages adults earned, for all their effort. Additionally laborers dealt daily with unsafe working conditions, a lack of fresh air, unclean workspaces and very few breaks. Violence became commonplace as workers rebelled against these low working standards.
Labor Day was first dubbed ‘a workingman’s holiday’ in 1882 during this violent time, as workers took unpaid leave from work to march into New York City. It wasn’t until 12 years after this first ‘holiday’, on June 28, 1894 that President Grover Cleveland finally made Labor Day a federal holiday.
ACHIEVING DREAMS ON MY OWN
Rather than working for someone else, entrepreneurship has become an American staple. People have long believed the way to achieve their dreams is to create their own businesses. It is here they are their own boss, are able to set their own work hours, and create a legacy for their loved ones.
Examples might be an artist, small maintenance or vendor business, a one location restaurant, a small boutique, a cleaning or a technical service; pet sitter or mechanic. The list could go for pages, totally contingent on a person’s creativity, ability, personality and even ambition.
Entrepreneurship has been lauded and embraced across the nation by most folks, for anyone who is willing to put forth the effort— except for someone in the disability population. Those who have a disability are often viewed as someone who has ‘no’ ability. Quite the contrary, however! Statistics are rising that indicate the disability community is paving their own path in entrepreneurship in careers and professions in which they are talented and excel!
A DISABILITY WON’T STOP DREAMS
Self-employment in the disability arena has risen nearly twice as much as their non-disabled counterparts, according to statistics over the last years. This is significant considering the stigma associated with having a disability. This people group is proving that they want to join the labor force and are empowered with ‘ability’ rather than a lack of ability!
This fact is not only good for each of these courageous people, but also for the economy! Our country is a better place when those who want to earn their way through life can do it successfully and become independent! Their new ideas, talents and innovations brought to life from determination, grit, creativity, talent and abilities in which a person thrives, is the best antidote for the lack of drive we see rising in our culture! They not only deserve our encouragement; they deserve our gratitude!
To every worker, non-disabled, and disabled alike, who wants to make a difference in their life and the lives of others, you are to be celebrated on this Labor Day. For your efforts; thank you!
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