Honoring Marketing’s Many Boss Babes on International Women’s Day

“There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.” – Michelle Obama

Preach, Michelle. This month, we celebrate International Women’s Day on Wednesday, March 8, and we invite you to do the same. A global day to honor the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women,

Countless women helped to shape the world of marketing. In this edition of the Focus Marketing & PR Blog, we’re singing the praises of those who came before us.

1880. Mathilde C. Weil is considered a pioneer of the advertising world. She began her career as a journalist, but soon realized there was money to be had with ads. A result, she went on to found the first female-run ad agency and was dubbed within the marketing industry America’s first “ad woman.”

1908. Helen Lansdowne-Resor is credited as one of the industry’s leading women. Copywriter and creator turned advertising guru, her keen talents led to the development of advertising techniques and marketing practices that are commonplace today. She also helped to transform the images of smiling housewives in time period ads to include the faces of daring, modern women.

1933. Virginia Payne was a radio legend, who lended her voice to the on-air soap opera production, “America’s Mother of the Air.” A modern-day podcast star, by our standards.

1926. Nedda McGrath became the first female art director at a major U.S. agency. She reportedly knew no other females within the industry, and was even discouraged by friends, peers and foe, from attempting to enter into the industry. Joke’s on them forevermore. 

1946. Estee Lauder founded a billion-dollar cosmetics, skin care and perfume empire. With more than 25 brands sold in an estimated 150 countries, annual revenues are greater than $17 billion, and employment exceeds 60,000 people. She pioneered beauty-standard practices and had a knack for marketing and networking as evidenced by her “Tell-a-Woman” advertising, giveaway promotions and “guerilla sales” tactics.

1972. Martha Stewart is by all standards, a marketing mogul. She’s the founder and talent behind multiple business ventures dabbling in journalism, publishing, broadcasting, merchandising and e-commerce. “Never make a big decision without sleeping on it.”

We could go on and on with our list of Marketing Boss Babes, but we’ve got work to do. If you’re female, or you live to empower them, how will you shape your industry? For help telling your story, contact Focus Marketing & PR by emailing

[email protected], or call 303-949-1876.

About Focus Marketing & PR

Focus Marketing & PR is a Colorado-based boutique marketing firm specializing in arming small and medium-sized businesses of any industry with tools to navigate the constantly changing digital world. Give us a call today to discuss your marketing and PR needs; we always offer free consultations. Contact Focus Marketing & PR.