This year for Women’s History Month, we want to highlight women who have impacted the daily lives of Pennsylvanians and improved our world.
Rebecca Lukens was a leader in the male-dominated field of steel manufacturing. She has been recognized as the first female CEO in the United States, and she ran the Brandywine Iron Works and Nail Factory in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, for over three decades. Her remarkable career and impact on Pennsylvania history are worth celebrating during Women’s History Month.
Born in 1794 in New Jersey, Rebecca married Isaac Pennock in 1813 and moved to Coatesville, where her husband’s family owned the Brandywine Iron Works and Nail Factory. When her husband died in 1824, Rebecca took over the management of the factory. At the time, it was rare for women to hold positions of power in the workplace, especially in such a male-dominated industry as steel manufacturing.
Despite the odds against her, Rebecca proved to be a capable and visionary leader. Under her guidance, the Brandywine Iron Works and Nail Factory flourished, becoming one of the largest and most successful ironworks in the United States. She was known for her innovative ideas and willingness to invest in new technology, which helped improve the factory’s efficiency and profitability. One of Lukens’ most significant achievements was her development of the hot-rolled iron process. This process involved heating iron to a high temperature and then rolling it into sheets or bars. It was a breakthrough in steel manufacturing, and it helped to make the Brandywine Iron Works and Nail Factory one of the most successful businesses of its time.
“I must have possessed some energy of character, for now I look back and wonder at my daring. I had such strong, such powerful incentives for exertion that I felt I must succeed.”
– Rebecca Lukens, America’s first female CEO
Despite her success, Rebecca faced significant challenges as a female CEO in the 19th century. She was often subjected to discrimination and sexism from her male colleagues and was not always taken seriously as a business leader. Nevertheless, she persisted. Rebecca Lukens passed away in 1854, but her impact on Pennsylvania’s history and the steel industry is still felt today. Her pioneering work paved the way for future generations of women to succeed in the workplace, and she is remembered as a trailblazer and an inspiration to women everywhere.
On January 6, 1994, the 200th anniversary of Lukens’ birth, the Pennsylvania Legislature and City of Coatesville declared her “America’s first woman industrialist.”
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, it is essential to recognize the contributions of women like Rebecca Lukens, who have significantly impacted their communities and industries. Her groundbreaking work in the steel industry and her role as the first female CEO in the United States serve as a reminder of the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Her legacy inspires women to break through barriers and achieve their dreams.
Interested in learning more about Rebecca Lukens? Listen to this episode of “From the Stacks” by the Hagley Museum and Library.
Embedded Video – The Life & Times of Rebecca Lukens – https://youtu.be/jTBqZ214W50
Women’s History Month
Women’s History Month was established in 1981 as a national celebration, with Congress passing Pub. L. 97-28 authorizing the President to designate the week beginning March 7, 1982, as “Women’s History Week.” Congress continued to pass joint resolutions over the next five years, designating a week in March as “Women’s History Week.” In 1987, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9 after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, officially designating March 1987 as “Women’s History Month.” From 1988 to 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to declare March of each year as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, each year, Presidents have issued proclamations recognizing and celebrating the contributions women have made to the United States and highlighting the specific achievements women have made in various fields throughout American history.
Learn more at WomensHistoryMonth.gov.