Breaking The Glass Ceiling: The Rise of Women Leaders in Male-Dominated Industries ??♀?

Breaking The Glass Ceiling: The Rise of Women Leaders in Male-Dominated Industries ??♀?

As a woman, I’ve always wanted to talk about women in leadership - especially since we’re living in a world where gender inequality still exists, and women are often underrepresented in positions of power.?

However, over the years, we have seen a noticeable shift. We’ve been seeing more women in higher posts, whether its business, corporate or even social work and we're here to celebrate that ongoing shift unfolding before our eyes!

From breaking barriers in male-dominated industries to leading successful businesses, women are proving through effort and relentless courage, why they’re more than qualified to be in top positions. ?

That’s why as a tribute to Women’s Day 2023, we’ll talk about:?

? Historical context of women in leadership

? Current state of women in leadership

? Inspiring women who are breaking barriers in male-dominated industries?

Let’s go! ??

Historical Context of Women in Leadership

Women have been excluded from leadership roles for centuries due to social, cultural, and political factors. It wasn’t until the 19th and 20th centuries that we saw a significant change in the number of women who were able to break through the barriers and become leaders in their respective fields.

One of the most significant milestones for women in leadership was the Suffrage Movement which started in 1849 and gave women the right to vote. Some of the most prominent leaders of the movement include Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Lucy Stone.

The Suffrage Movement faced a lot of opposition from both men and women who believed that women should not be involved in politics. Women who spoke out for their rights were often ridiculed, jailed, or institutionalized. However, the suffragettes persisted, and their efforts eventually paid off. In 1920, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, granting women the right to vote.

This milestone allowed women to participate in politics and hold public office, breaking down a major barrier to women's leadership. Despite this progress, it was not until the 1960s and 1970s that we saw a significant increase in the number of women in leadership positions in the corporate world, demonstrating that while progress has been made, but there is still so so much work to be done to achieve true gender equality in leadership.

Women's Rights Movement in 1849
Women's Rights Movement in 1849

Source

Current State of Women in Leadership

Despite all the progress we've made in the past few centuries, we still have a long way to go. According to a report by McKinsey & Company, women make up 48% of entry-level employees but only 26% of C-suite executives. And if you're a woman of colour, the numbers are even more discouraging - they make up only 5% of C-suite executives ??

Representation of Women in the Corporate Ladder 2016-2021
Representation of Women in the Corporate Ladder 2016-2021


But why is that so??

It's not that women don't want to progress, or advance in their career, of course they want to!

But the reality is that women bear the majority of family responsibilities in our society, which can make it difficult for them to devote the time and energy needed to excel in their careers. And it's only gotten worse since the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Women have been forced to take on even more responsibilities at home, like childcare and homeschooling, while also trying to maintain their careers. And a significant issue is the lack of support for women's work-life balance in most companies.

1. Women leaders want to advance, but they face stronger headwinds than men.
2. Women leaders are overworked and underrecognized.?
3. Women leaders are seeking a different culture of work.

Source: Mckinsey, "Women in the Workplace 2022"

That being said, there have been powerful women who’ve stepped up regardless of society’s expectations.

Inspiring Women Who Are Breaking Barriers in Male-Dominated Industries

There are many inspiring women who are breaking barriers and becoming leaders in male-dominated industries despite all sorts of social, political, and business challenges.?

?? Indra Nooyi, Former Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo

If there's one person I really look up to has been Indra Nooyi ! She's an?Indian-American?business executive and former?chief executive officer?and chairperson of? 百事 .

She has consistently ranked among the?world's 100 most powerful women . Did you know that she joined PepsiCo in 1994 and became CEO in 2006. Imagine the 12 years of a relentless journey this woman has had during that time and she certainly has left a legacy behind, for women around the world to follow and break any glass ceiling!?

In 2014, she was ranked at number 13 on the Forbes list of The World's 100 Most Powerful Women?and was ranked the second most powerful woman on the Fortune list in 2015 and 2017. She also serves on the?boards?of?Amazon?and the?International Cricket Council.

More power to you, Indra!

?? Safra A. Catz, CEO of 甲骨文 ?

Safra C. has been the driving force behind the company's shift to cloud computing, making sure they remain at the forefront of the tech industry with new & innovative products and services. With a leadership style focused on discipline, accountability, and execution, Safra has created a culture of performance at Oracle where excellence is the norm. Under her leadership, Oracle continues to thrive and grow, thanks to her sharp vision and strategic thinking.?

Safra has been recognized for her contributions to the tech industry and leadership abilities, receiving awards such as Forbes' "World's 100 Most Powerful Women" and the Financial Times' "Top 50 Women in World Business." ??

You go Safra!

?? Mary Barra, the CEO of General Motors.?

Mary Barra is a trailblazing executive who’s shattered the glass ceiling in the automotive industry. She's been the CEO of 通用汽车 since 2014 and has been with the company since 1980, rising through the ranks in a male-dominated industry.?

Under Mary's leadership, General Motors has undergone significant transformation, including a shift towards electric vehicles and a focus on innovation and sustainability. Mary is also a champion of workplace diversity and inclusion, recognizing the value of having a diverse workforce that reflects the customers they serve.?

Her achievements have not gone unnoticed, and she's been recognized with numerous awards, including Fortune's "Most Powerful Women" and Forbes' "World's 100 Most Powerful Women." ??

?? Elena Chan,?Chief Risk Officer & General Counsel at Beforepay Group

Elena Chan is the Chief Risk Officer and General Counsel at Beforepay Group , a fintech company that provides financial wellness solutions to customers in need of short-term funding. She has over a decade of experience in the legal and financial industries and has made significant contributions to the company's success. ??

In her role at Beforepay, Chan has been instrumental in the company's expansion into new markets and product lines. Chan's professional accolades include being recognized as a finalist for the Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Awards 2020 and being named in the Australian Financial Review's Top 100 Women of Influence.

Elena also gives formal and informal mentoring sessions to empower female leadership. ??

Conclusion and call to action

In conclusion, the rise of women leaders in male-dominated industries is an inspiring trend that we should all celebrate. However, there is still a lot of work to be done to achieve true gender equality in leadership positions!?

We need to continue to advocate for policies that promote REAL diversity and inclusion in the workplace and support women in their careers wherever possible.

From a society’s perspective, we need to recognize the value that women bring to leadership positions and work to break down the barriers that prevent them from reaching their full potential. Only then can we truly break the glass ceiling and create a world where women have an equal opportunity to succeed. ????

Join the conversation:

Who are some inspiring women leaders that you look up to? Share your thoughts in the comments below! ??


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Hannah Swabey

Expansion, Mobility, and Emerging Markets | Ex-Bolt ??

1 年

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