Writing
December 5th, 2025
Women In Business
By Madison Lewis
I would like to honor the women in Business whose leadership and perception have transformed an industry once defined by limits into endless opportunities for young women like myself.
For ages, the world of business was dominated by men. Yet throughout history, women have chosen to rise up against inequality and challenge stereotypes, resulting in enormous success. A woman I would like to shine a light on who cleared the path for younger generations is Ursula Burns, the first Black woman to lead a multi-billion-dollar company as CEO, becoming CEO in 2009. Growing up in a tough neighborhood in the Lower East Side of New York, Ursula faced a challenging but formative lesson that taught her something very useful for her career. Burns’ mother was the most influential on her upbringing, showing her tenacity and a fierce work ethic that later helped Burns. She started as an intern and ended as CEO, climbing the corporate ladder of male-dominated companies like Xerox, which, in her words, was not an easy task. Ursula Burns is exceptionally unique because she not only represents a rise to the top, but also allows young women in similar situations to have hope and a sense of reality that one day they can be just like her, regardless of their circumstances.
Admiring women in business isn’t just thought out, but statistical. Data shows that having women in leadership roles not only benefits the industry but laying the foundation for greater equality in the future. A recent study has shown that organizations with at least 30% women in leadership roles were 12 times more likely to be in the top 20% of financial performance. The study explains that companies led by women create stronger results, firms with women leaders statistically show 25% annualized returns over eight years compared to 11% for broader indexes. Evidently showing that women’s leadership results in long- term success.
Celebrating these remarkable women for facing the challenging norms of business, climbing to the top, and paving the way for younger generations of expectant women to follow behind. I’m proud and exhilarated to be able to have an opportunity in the world of business because of these women alone. So today, we commemorate the talented and ambitious women in business who have reformed success. Their legacy is empowering and continues to shape the future of business.
