Single Working Women’s Day2026 · Date · History
SWWAN creator-side history verifies Barbara Payne/SWWAN lineage and August 4 rationale while leaving the Day’s exact first recurring edition unresolved.
About Single Working Women’s Day
Single Working Women’s Day is observed on August 4 as part of the Single Working Women’s Affiliate Network (SWWAN) observance tradition.
SWWAN says Barbara Payne founded the organization in 2006 and explains that August 4 was chosen because it is the birthday of Perrine Knight, the woman the organization identifies as inspiring the movement.
Why Single Working Women’s Day matters
The observance is framed by SWWAN as recognition of the work, creativity and independent lives of single working women.
Singlehood, work, caregiving, finances and family structure differ widely. Respectful observance should avoid stereotypes and should not presume that every single working woman shares the same goals, challenges or household responsibilities.
History of Single Working Women’s Day
SWWAN says Barbara Payne founded the Single Working Women’s Affiliate Network in 2006.
SWWAN’s history page identifies August 4 each year as Single Working Women’s Day.
Creator-side material explains that August 4 is Perrine Knight’s birthday and that Knight inspired the movement.
A 2014 SWWAN post says the week became an international calendar entry in 2006 but describes the Day itself as becoming recognized later, so the exact first recurring edition of the Day is not treated as settled.
Later SWWAN posts continue to use August 4, supporting date continuity without overstating legal or governmental status.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Barbara Payne / Single Working Women’s Affiliate Network (SWWAN)
SWWAN identifies Barbara Payne as its founder and describes the day/week as arising from the SWWAN movement.
Single Working Women’s Affiliate Network (SWWAN)
SWWAN’s first-party history presents the observance as part of the organization’s own initiative; separate calendar recognition is treated as recognition rather than government establishment.
Single Working Women’s Affiliate Network (SWWAN)
SWWAN continues to maintain creator-side material and August 4 observance information.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
5 fields not established in reviewed sources
Also known as
Single Working Women’s Day
How to Observe Single Working Women’s Day
Recognize a single working woman’s achievements in a way that respects her preferences and privacy.
Support workplace appreciation practices that do not assume marital status, parenthood, caregiving roles or financial circumstances.
Read creator-side history about why SWWAN chose August 4 and distinguish organizational recognition from government-holiday status.
Share professional encouragement or practical appreciation without turning the day into unsolicited employment, legal, financial or relationship advice.
If organizing a workplace activity, make participation optional and inclusive of varied identities, households and career paths.
Single Working Women’s Day Facts
Single Working Women’s Day is observed on August 4.
SWWAN says Barbara Payne founded the organization in 2006.
SWWAN links the August 4 date to Perrine Knight’s birthday.
Creator-side material shows continuing August 4 use.
The exact first recurring edition of the Day itself is not treated as established by the reviewed sources.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
SWWAN — About Single Working Women’s Day and Week (opens in a new tab)
Creator First Party History
SWWAN — Why the observance is tied to August 4 (opens in a new tab)
Creator First Party Date Rationale
SWWAN — 2014 continuity post (opens in a new tab)
Creator First Party Continuity
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is Single Working Women’s Day?
4 August The documented recurrence rule is: 4 August each year under SWWAN’s observance..
Does Single Working Women’s Day fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is Single Working Women’s Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: International / Single Working Women’s Affiliate Network (SWWAN) creator-defined observance. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes Single Working Women’s Day?
The reviewed sources identify Single Working Women’s Affiliate Network (SWWAN) as the proclaiming or establishing body. The proposer or originator is recorded separately as Barbara Payne / Single Working Women’s Affiliate Network (SWWAN). Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as Single Working Women’s Affiliate Network (SWWAN).
Is Single Working Women’s Day international or country-specific?
The documented scope is international or global: International / Single Working Women’s Affiliate Network (SWWAN) creator-defined observance. That does not mean every country treats the date as a public holiday or observes it in the same way.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-22.
When is Single Working Women’s Day?
It is observed on August 4.
Who is associated with its creation?
SWWAN’s own history identifies founder Barbara Payne and the Single Working Women’s Affiliate Network as the creator-side lineage.
Why August 4?
SWWAN says August 4 is the birthday of Perrine Knight, whom it identifies as the woman who inspired the movement.
Did the Day definitely begin in 2006?
The organization began in 2006, but SWWAN’s later wording makes the exact first edition of the Day itself ambiguous, so that point remains unresolved.
Is it a government public holiday?
The reviewed evidence supports a creator-defined observance and calendar recognition, not a statutory public holiday.
Other observances on August 4
These observances are also listed on August 4, 2027.
Constitution Day
Cook Islands government sources verify Constitution Day on 4 August, current public-holiday status, and the anniversary of self-government in free association beginning on 4 August 1965.
International Clouded Leopard Day
The Aspinall Foundation records the first International Clouded Leopard Day at Howletts on 4 August 2018 and states that it was intended as an annual international awareness day; World Anim…