8 Our Voice / September 2014
the business minded woman
omen in the workforce are taking charge over men when it comes to owning their own
business. Society has come to show a great deal of respect for the strong minded business woman. In history women have always worked mostly in the field of agricultural task, although not for a ‘wage’. Marriage was the goal of many women who saw their future as a dutiful wife raising the kids and keeping the house. It wasn’t until the 19th century that women in Western society had ‘jobs’ working in textile mills, factories, and assembly lines. In fact, according to the US Census of 1870, women made up 15% of the workforce. Although the hours were long, the pay was poor.
It wasn’t until World War 1 and later World War 2 that there was an explosion of jobs for women. With 16 million men leaving their jobs to join the war in Europe, women took over their jobs to help support their families. After the wars, women held jobs such as clerical and teaching positions.
By the 1970’s education opened up a whole new door for the working woman when they started going to college and later grad school. Their professions included medicine, law, and the business world. Marriage was becoming less of a priority and education took front row. Women entered fields that were once dominated by men.
Today, women now have access to high quality education that permits them to have higher paying jobs. Education has led to leadership positions ranging from CEO’s to political positions. It has also given many women the freedom to start their own businesses. The National Association of Women Business Owners released the 2007 US Census that reported 7.8 million businesses
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By Diamond Khandr Meness