50 Women Who Broke Barriers In The Business World

Many women were denied access to higher education in the English-speaking world until the 18th and 19th centuries. Census data shows women have consistently been paid less than men for decades.

To honor advancements in gender equality in the workplace, Here's a list of women who broke barriers in the  business world.

Katharine Graham became the first woman to lead a Fortune 500 company, the Washington Post Company, in 1972.

Katharine Graham

Madam C.J. Walker launched a collection of hair products for African American women at age 38 and one of the richest African American women of the time.

Madam C.J. Walker

After her divorce from Desi Arnaz, she bought her ex-husband out of their company, Desilu Productions, thereby becoming the first woman to have ownership over a major television studio.

Lucille Ball

Despite never earning a college degree, Muriel Siebert became the first female member of the New York Stock Exchange on Dec. 28, 1967.

Muriel Siebert

Born to enslaved parents, Maggie L. Walker paved the way for women in finance when she became the first woman to establish a bank in the United States in 1903.

Maggie L. Walker