Nationally, the number of women choosing to partner with Uber has been rapidly growing. Across the U.S., 29% of new drivers who started in fall 2015 were women. In honor of National Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, we took time out to recognize a few of the over 7,000 female driver-partners in Boston and thank them for all that they do to keep our city moving.

Uber’s New England General Manager Cathy Zhou welcomed a group of women driver-partners to the Dorchester event on International Women’s Day on March 8. Driver-partners Risa, Nelly, Kerry and Helen all shared their stories with fellow partners and Uber employees.

The atmosphere in the room was empowering with women cheering and nodding in agreement as they listened to their stories. Nelly raved, “my passengers are amazing, I even forget sometimes that I’m a driver and I become a mom, a daughter, or a sister.”

Risa, had been an Uber rider for almost three years when she decided to start driving. She says that what interested her most was the flexibility of working on her own time.

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“I love being able to work when I want to work, travel when I want to, and be able to see my daughter when I want to.

I really have found my purpose in life and I work way more than I have to but I really love it.” – Risa

Around the world, women are increasingly seeking more flexible economic opportunities. At Uber we are proud to be able to be providing income opportunities for women, while also balancing other responsibilities, such as family, work, and education.