In 2009, in the very first introduction to WBJ’s Outstanding Women in Business awards, then-Editor Christina H. Davis wrote:
“Some might say that honoring women leaders in the business world is old-fashioned. But we see this special section profiling six outstanding female business leaders as a celebration of how far women have come and a nod to future generations of women who today are sitting behind desks studying to be tomorrow’s executives.”
In the 10 years since WBJ began honoring six high-performing women annually, the world’s attitude toward women in the workplace has seemingly changed back and forth thousands of times, probably because individuals’ attitudes toward the issues vary greatly. When I asked our alumnae for this special milestone edition what was different about the professional world since they won the award, their answers were pessimistic and optimistic. Women still earn less than men and are underrepresented in leadership positions, but there is recognition the problems are getting better or at least need to get better.
More than anything, these awards remain a celebration of women who have reached great heights in a business environment where the advantages still skew male. They are role models to both those currently sitting in corner offices and the next generation of executives.
In a world full of inequities and where 60 outstanding women feel both good and bad about where we are as a society, taking a step back to showcase and celebrate greatness feels less old-fashioned than ever.
– Brad Kane, editor
Read more about the 2018 Outstanding Women in Business:
Kate Sharry, president of Group Benefits Strategies
Carla McCall, CPA, CGMA, co-managing partner of AAFCPAs
Laurie Masiello, president of Masy Bioservices
Jennifer Luisa, vice president of marketing and communications at The Hanover Insurance Group
Marianne Lancaster, president of Lancaster Packaging Inc.
Sandra Brock, PE, vice president and chief engineer at Nitsch Engineering
Read about the nine previous years of Outstanding Women in Business award winners:
Check out a column from this year’s Innovative Business Leader of the Year on the importance of women business leaders in the Central Mass. community
