No global crisis has shocked the world economy in terms of supply and demand, as COVID-19 has, in terms of its intensity and impact. Given the nature and structure of their businesses, many of which are MSMEs, women entrepreneurs have been disproportionately impacted. The COVID 19 pandemic created a "life vs. livelihoods predicament" with specific tradeoffs between health and economic risk. In this study, we argue that although all businesses must adapt their business models during crises and shocks, this is particularly challenging for women entrepreneurs whose businesses are vulnerable to economic meltdowns and shutdowns, such as the COVID-19 global pandemic necessitated. Analyzed from the perspective of feminism and institutional theory, we consider how public policy responses in the areas of economic support and public health helped to mitigate the pandemic’s potential consequences. We also consider how the resilience and flexibility of women equally added to their capacity to respond to crisis. This multi-nation study evaluates the response of women entrepreneurs to the COVID 19 crisis across seven Sub-Saharan Afirca (SSA) countries.