International Women's Day is celebrated each year on March 8th as a day to recognize the movement of Women's Rights. On this day let's look back at history and see how women business owners, workers and professionals have greatly changed the economy and workforce in the United States.
Here are three key areas where statistics show “before” and “after” pictures of women in the American workplace:
Greater representation in the workforce
The Balance, an online publication, shows how the U.S. workforce changed significantly between 1950 and 2000 in terms of presence of women workers. For example, in 1950, only about one-third of the female population worked. But that number rose to just under 60% by the turn of the century.
More entrepreneurial activity led by women
Tech.co, a technology publication, reports that about 30% of all businesses in the United States were owned by women in 2015.
What's more, the news provider pointed out that women business owners have about eight million professionals on payroll in this country, and generated $1.6 trillion worth of revenues in 2015 alone. The source notes that 500 women-owned businesses are started every day in the U.S. and that one of five businesses with revenues greater than $1 million are owned by women.
Rising leadership representation
McKinsey & Company, a global research and consulting firm, tracks the corporate pipeline with respect to women and men in the workplace. According to its report, women represented 33% of the managerial pipeline in 2012 but that number rose to 37% in 2015. In fact, every category of professionals, from senior manager to chief officer, saw an increase between 2012 and 2015. At the highest level, chief executive officer, 17% of the professionals in the pipeline were women in 2015, up from 16% in 2012.
After these historic shifts, what changes might be in store for the American workforce and business ownership landscape in the future?
Here are three key areas where statistics show “before” and “after” pictures of women in the American workplace:
Greater representation in the workforce
The Balance, an online publication, shows how the U.S. workforce changed significantly between 1950 and 2000 in terms of presence of women workers. For example, in 1950, only about one-third of the female population worked. But that number rose to just under 60% by the turn of the century.
More entrepreneurial activity led by women
Tech.co, a technology publication, reports that about 30% of all businesses in the United States were owned by women in 2015.
What's more, the news provider pointed out that women business owners have about eight million professionals on payroll in this country, and generated $1.6 trillion worth of revenues in 2015 alone. The source notes that 500 women-owned businesses are started every day in the U.S. and that one of five businesses with revenues greater than $1 million are owned by women.
Rising leadership representation
McKinsey & Company, a global research and consulting firm, tracks the corporate pipeline with respect to women and men in the workplace. According to its report, women represented 33% of the managerial pipeline in 2012 but that number rose to 37% in 2015. In fact, every category of professionals, from senior manager to chief officer, saw an increase between 2012 and 2015. At the highest level, chief executive officer, 17% of the professionals in the pipeline were women in 2015, up from 16% in 2012.
After these historic shifts, what changes might be in store for the American workforce and business ownership landscape in the future?