Women have been important parts of the business world for longer than some people realize. If you’re interested in the history of women in business, then you should keep reading. You’ll be able to appreciate this brief history of women in business. It showcases just how far things have come while also showing that there is room for improvement.
The Early 1900s
The early 1900s weren’t an easy time for women who wanted to run businesses. In the past, it was very unusual for women to own businesses and it only happened when women didn’t have husbands or there were extenuating circumstances. Things started to change a bit in the early 1900s due to feminism and this made for a slightly better climate for female business owners. During these times, women started to create their own brands and they even started talking about the need for equal wages.
WWII
World War II was a very intriguing time in American history and you likely already know that women were important members of the workforce. With so many men gone to fight in the war, it fell to the women at home to keep the fires of industry burning. Female entrepreneurship increased during this time and many kept their businesses after the war concluded.
The ‘60s and the ‘70s
The 1960s and 1970s were important times for women in business. Divorce rates started to rise and single mothers were suddenly not so unusual any longer. Feminism took hold in America and this started to break down barriers for women in the business world. Women gained more legal rights during this time and it helped them to move things forward as entrepreneurs.
The 1980s to Present Time
You saw powerful businesswomen start to rise during the 1980s and this trend has continued to today. In modern times, it isn’t unusual to see businesswomen standing at the top of large corporations. Women are appointed to be CEOs and they are seen as equals by their peers. Despite this, women still don’t receive equal pay when compared to men and there are still improvements that need to be made to the system.