American Business Women's Day is celebrated annually on September 22, marking women's significant role in American business history. Established in 1986, the day honors the founding of the American Business Women’s Association and highlights the achievements of nearly 13 million women-owned businesses across the United States. This year, five trailblazing women—Mae Reeves, Anna Bissell, Estée Lauder, Maggie Walker, and Sara Sunshine—are recognized for their lasting contributions to various industries.
Five Women to Know for American Business Women’s Day
1. Mae Reeves: Pioneering Entrepreneur and Civil Rights Activist
In 1941, Mae Reeves opened Mae’s Millinery Shop in Philadelphia, becoming one of the first African American women to own a business in the city. Securing a loan from a Black-owned bank, she brought elegance and flair to her custom hat designs, drawing clients like Ella Fitzgerald and Eartha Kitt. Reeves wasn’t just a business owner—she also contributed to the civil rights movement by using her store as a polling place and supporting the NAACP.
@darnelljamal | Instagram | In 1941, Mae Reeves opened Mae’s Millinery Shop in Philadelphia, becoming one of the first African American women to own a business there.
2. Anna Sutherland Bissell: The Nation’s First Female CEO
Anna Bissell’s journey into business began alongside her husband in their crockery business. After Melville Bissell invented the carpet sweeper in 1876, Anna took charge of marketing and expanding the product’s reach. Following her husband’s death, she became the first female CEO in the U.S. Under her leadership, Bissell introduced innovative labor policies, expanded globally, and established the company as a market leader. Her progressive approach to workers' rights set an example in business leadership.
3. Estée Lauder: Beauty Mogul and Brand Visionary
Estée Lauder built an empire by transforming homemade beauty products into a global cosmetics brand. Beginning with a few creams crafted by hand, she secured her first significant order from Saks Fifth Avenue in 1946. The products sold out in days, launching the Estée Lauder Companies, Inc. into international prominence. Today, Lauder’s company stands as one of the largest cosmetic firms worldwide, demonstrating the power of vision and persistence in entrepreneurship.
@assouline | Instagram | Estée Lauder built an empire by transforming homemade beauty products into a global cosmetics brand.
4. Maggie Lena Walker: A Trailblazer in Banking and Community Empowerment
Maggie Lena Walker made history in 1903 by becoming the first African American woman to charter a bank. Her dedication to community service through the Independent Order of Saint Luke led her to establish St. Luke Penny Savings Bank, which provided employment and financial independence to Black women. Walker’s work laid the foundation for economic empowerment in the Black community, and her legacy continues through the bank’s later merger, which formed the longest-running Black-owned bank in the United States.
5. Sara Sunshine: A Latina Pioneer in Advertising
Sara Sunshine co-founded the Spanish Marketing and Advertising Services (SAMS) in 1960s New York, breaking new ground for Latina women in the advertising industry. Recognizing the unique identity of Latino consumers, she created campaigns that specifically catered to this audience rather than merely translating English ads into Spanish. Sunshine’s trailblazing work earned her a Clio Award in 1987, the first of its kind in the Hispanic Market category, cementing her impact on the advertising world and Latino representation.
Each of these remarkable women not only excelled in their respective fields but also paved the way for future generations. Their legacies continue to inspire, and American Business Women's Day serves as a reminder of their indelible contributions.