Leading since… 1972?

If your mom is older than 54, when she was born, there were no female CEOs. Katherine Graham broke the glass ceiling in 1972. Over the next 45 years, another 63 women claimed the top position. 2017 was a banner year because the Fortune 500 saw 32 women in CEO positions — a record-breaking 6.4%.

6.4%. That was nine years ago.

  • On August 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified, granting women the right to vote. States and the federal government are prohibited from denying citizens of the United States of America the right to vote based on their sex.

  • 1972, Katharine Graham became the first female Fortune 500 CEO when she assumed control of The Washington Post.

  • Women are legally entitled to apply for credit cards in their own name without a male co-signer. When the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) passes in 1974. Before this legislation, women were legally required to have a husband or male relative to cosign for credit accounts.

The Facts

Women are More Educated

1982 — Women earn more Bachelor’s than men
1987 — Women earn more Masters’ degrees
2006 — Women earn more Doctorates than men

44.7% of the Workforce

Although women have been more educated than men since 1982 (over four decades, for those following along at home), they’re only 44.7% of the workforce.

Maybe men were out there working while women studied. Or maybe it’s just sexism.

Representation Rules

Research consistently shows that companies with more integrated representation outperform their peers.

Companies that under-hire women can make up stories, but they can’t blame the numbers.

The Setting

Women in the Workplace

“Women face less career support and fewer opportunities to advance as companies show declining commitment to women’s progress. While women are as dedicated to their careers as men, there is a gap in their desire for promotion. That’s according to the latest Women in the Workplace report from McKinsey and LeanIn.Org”

Why so few Female CEOs?

Among the many reasons cited, women were less likely to have female role models, to be excluded from informal networks, and less likely to have a sponsor in upper management to create opportunities.

Source: Women in the Workplace, 2025

Rewinding One Generation

Many current corporate CEOs were raised during the 1970’s and ‘80’s. During their formative years and early careers:

  • Boys and girls observed men in CEO roles almost exclusively

  • Boys were more often directed toward science, math and engineering college programs while girls were more often directed toward teaching, nursing and social work

  • Once in their career, men were given operating and other line roles while women were relegated to staff positions

  • As the primary source of income in most families, men were offered relocation opportunities more often than women

  • Women were the primary caregiver to their children which limited the number of long hours they could work in demanding careers.