Feminism is at its peak today. The emergence of a well-educated female community, which has grown to be vocal of equal rights and opportunities, is the best thing that has happened in recent years. However, one cannot deny the truth of the struggles faced by our female predecessors to fight for what we have today. As a commemoration of these headstrong, courageous women, who defied all odds to break the conventional thinking of the masses and inspired millions of people across the globe, Saransh takes this opportunity of celebrating ‘Women’s History Month’ by presenting a list of 5 extra-ordinary women, who became notable ‘firsts’ in the corporate world:
Amanda Theodosia Jones:
The first woman to establish an all-women company. (1890)
Today, women have taken up various roles in the corporate world. But can one imagine the guts that it might have taken to establish an all-women owned business in the 1890s! “The Women’s canning and Preserving Company” was established by Amanda Theodosia Jones in 1890 to support the cause of women’s rights, hiring only women employees. In her addressing speech, she stated, “This is a woman’s industry. No man will vote our stock, transact our business, keep our books, pronounce on women’s wages, supervise our factories. Give men whatever work is suitable, but keep the governing power. This is a business training school for working women – you with all the rest. Here is a mission; let it be fulfilled.” (Source – Wikipedia)
Lettie Pate Whitehead Evans
The first woman to be on the Board of Directors of a major multinational corporation, vis The Coca Cola Company. (1934)
Being born in one of the America’s most affluent families, Lettie Pate Whitehead was one of the most intelligent women of her time. After the death of her husband in an unprecedented manner, due to pneumonia, she took over their business of bottling for Coca Cola at the age of 36. Later on, she sold the entire bottling operation (of more than 1000 bottling plants) back to the company, in exchange for Coca Cola stock, when she was appointed as a member of the Board of Directors; the first woman to receive this recognition.
Muriel Siebert
The first woman to own a seat on the New York Stock Exchange (1967)
Imagine being the first and only woman in a team of 1365 male members! Sometimes also known as the ‘first woman of Finance’, Muriel Siebert was a staunch supporter of women and minorities. Facing huge odds, she fought for a rightful place on the NYSE. She firmly advocated the thought, “The real risk lies in continuing to do things the way they were always been done”. In 2016, Siebert Hall inside the NYSE was inaugurated, as dedication in her honor.
Katharine Graham
The first female CEO of a Fortune 500 company. (1972)
In 1963, after the suicide of her husband Philip Graham, Katharine took over the reigns of the family business, with the title of President and de facto publisher of The Washington Post. In 1972, she was appointed as the CEO of the paper and became the first female CEO of a Fortune 500 company. However, her journey before, as well as after was not an easy one. Being the only female at such a high post, she faced a lot of hardships, often by not being taken seriously by her male colleagues, as well as employees. However, she was very vocal about women rights and gender equality.
Madam C.J. Walker
The first female entrepreneur (1905)
A truly inspiring role-model for women everywhere today, Madame C.J Walker holds the distinguished title of being the first ever ‘self-made millionaire’. Born into slavery, she was orphaned at the age of 7 and worked as a domestic servant from the age of 10. However, she found her calling when she established the Madam C J Walker Manufacturing Company, developing her own line of cosmetic and hair care products. She was also renowned for her philanthropist activities. At the time of her death, Madam C J Walker was considered the wealthiest African-American woman in America.
Personalities like these will always be an inspiration for generations to come. Their stories were extra-ordinary considering the era in which they grew up. But they also showed how much women can achieve if they put their mind to their goals. Today’s scenario is completely different, but not that different as well. Though a majority of us observe an open culture in the corporate world, there are still issues that need to be addressed and resolved. But the day when we can truly become ‘equal’ doesn’t seem too far. Hopefully.