HR History You Need to Know: 8 Women Who Helped Transform the Workplace

March isn’t only about the first whispers of spring. It’s Women’s History Month in the US, UK, and Australia (Canada celebrates in October). On March 8, we recognize International Women’s Day, a worldwide celebration of women’s achievements and an annual reminder to renew our efforts for gender equality.

Women’s History Month is the perfect time to reflect on the incredible women who have shaped the workplace as we know it. From advocating for equal opportunity and fair employment to fighting for workers’ rights and protections, women workers have left an incredible legacy.

Read on to learn more about eight women who helped shape workers’ rights in the US and get actionable tips for creating a thriving company culture that sets everyone free to do great work.

8 Workplace Trailblazers You Should Know About

Anna Arnold Hedgeman

Anna Arnold Hedgeman, a civil rights activist, educator, and writer, dedicated her life to advocating for equal opportunity and fair employment. She played a key role in organizing the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963, making sure women’s efforts were included and labor rights were a main focus of the day.

Mary Harris “Mother” Jones

“Mother Jones” fiercely advocated for ending child labor and organized the United Mine Workers for two decades in the early 1900s. At the age of 68, she co-founded International Workers of the World (IWW), and she remained a prominent speaker and advocate of peaceful labor demonstrations until the end of her life in 1930. She was inducted into the US Department of Labor Hall of Honor in 1992.

May Chen, Connie Ling, and Alice Ip

May Chen, Connie Ling, and Alice Ip, organizers of the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Unions (ILGWU), helped lead the 1982 Chinatown Garment Strike with 20,000 mostly women workers. The strike secured fair wages, holidays, language assistance, and other benefits, transforming labor organizing in Chinatown for years to come.

Luisa Capetillo

Luisa Capetillo is known for being the first Puerto Rican woman to wear pants in public, but her impact went far beyond fashion. A prominent union leader, she fought for workers’ rights, equal education, and women’s suffrage. Capetillo also authored the influential 1909 feminist thesis, “Mi opinión sobre las libertades, derechos y deberes de la mujer” (My Opinion on the Rights, Liberties, and Responsibilities of Women).

Judy Heumann

In 1970, Judy Heumann became New York’s first wheelchair-using teacher. She co-founded the World Institute of Disability and was a key advocate for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the first legislation to define the rights of Americans with disabilities, which passed in 1990.

From 1993 to 2001, she served as the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services in the Department of Education. She was a lifelong advocate for equal access to education and workplace protections for people with disabilities until her death in 2023.

Frances Perkins

Frances Perkins was the first woman to serve on a presidential cabinet and the longest-serving Secretary of Labor, championing the Social Security Act of 1935 and the New Deal. Perkins also challenged government officials who required their women staff to be “physically attractive,” arguing that biased practices like this led to a shortage of qualified secretaries, stenographers, and other staff members in Washington.

After leaving politics, she continued to advocate for workers’ rights as a university lecturer until her death in 1965. She was inducted into the US Department of Labor Hall of Honor in 1989. A national monument to be built in her honor was announced in 2024.

How to Create a Workplace Where Everyone Can Thrive

National and international holidays and history months are important reminders to honor the achievements and contributions of specific groups. Also celebrated in March is Employee Appreciation Day (the first Friday of the month). In honor of the women who helped shape today’s workplaces, here are a few ways to champion your employees on the first Friday of March and every day:

Offer benefits that meet your employees’ needs.

This might mean letting employees or teams choose the work modes that work for them, or allowing flexible workweek arrangements. Initiatives like mindfulness or wellness programs are great options to address and mitigate burnout and other stress responses. It also means regularly asking for employee feedback about the benefits you offer and letting their input inform your strategic planning.

Create a culture of belonging.

Psychological safety is crucial to employee satisfaction, retention, and performance. It’s also the foundation of a solid, positive company culture. Voluntary, employee-led Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) can be instrumental in helping employees feel valued and supported, particularly if they’re members of underrepresented groups. Some popular ERGs include:

• Ethnicity, culture, or race
• Gender
• Sexual orientation
• Military veteran, reserve, or active duty status
• Caregiver status (of children, older adults, or other dependents)

Routine employee recognition goes a long way, too. Simply showing your employees their hard work is valued helps employees feel more connected to your mission and more engaged at work.

Foster open communication and regular feedback.

Open communication is key to building camaraderie and boosting employee morale, but it also makes for good business. Creating a culture of transparency ensures employees are comfortable bringing issues to your attention, which is essential to making relevant and timely improvements. Providing them regular feedback about their performance that’s both constructive and actionable empowers employees with opportunities to improve, problem-solve, and address any problems in their work or their teams.

Encourage professional development and growth.

It’s no secret that employees want growth opportunities. In fact, it’s a top reason they may choose or leave a job. Fostering employees’ professional development benefits them and the company. Well-trained employees are more likely to feel connected to the mission of your company, stay longer, and perform better than employees who don’t receive regular training.

Like transparent communication, building a continuous learning culture helps align company needs and employee interests and goes a long way in making your employees feel valued.

So, take a moment this month to celebrate everyone on your team, with a little extra cheer for the women who make it all happen.