In this article, we’ll celebrate female pioneers and their impact on our society, some notable individuals and their business successes. We’ll also share how Awards Intelligence can support you in entering a business award.
Celebrating female pioneers
Many female pioneers are hidden figures in the history books. However, countless women throughout the course of history and around the world have been striving to make our society a better place.
This includes innovating new developments in science and technology, transforming the political landscape, revolutionising practices in art and literature, and making space for more prominent roles in business for women.
Today, we’re diving into some stories about strong women in business and their impact on their industry and wider society.
Sarah Breedlove (Mrs C.J. Walker)
Sarah Breedlove, later known as Mrs C.J. Walker, established the Madam CJ Walker Manufacturing Co. in 1906. Her company sold hair care products, including a scalp treatment with a special ointment, inspired by her own struggles with hair loss, which was a common issue due to infrequent hair washing.
Walker’s business was part of a wave of Black-owned businesses that arose after slavery to meet the needs of the Black community, which had been largely neglected by white businesses.
By 1916, she had created one of the few avenues, outside of domestic work, for Black women to earn money, which was a network of schools that trained women to enter the hair industry. During this time, Walker had employed over 10,000 agents to sell her products.
She truly impacted the lives of countless Black women, whose needs had been marginalised, and paved the way for future acknowledgement of this demographic in haircare and beyond.
Dame Amanda Blanc
Named one of Fortune magazine’s most powerful women in 2024, Dame Amanda Blanc is the Group Chief Executive Officer at Aviva. Her work has significantly benefitted the organisation, encouraging a more balanced and diverse workforce and leading their financial growth.
Blanc’s success has been widely acclaimed. In January 2023, she was named The Sunday Times ‘Businessperson of the Year’ and was included in the Financial Times’ ‘25 Most Influential Women of 2022’.
Blanc was also awarded a Damehood in the King’s New Year Honours in January 2024, one of the most prestigious accolades one can receive. This truly solidified her professional reputation and acknowledged her tireless efforts to transform the success of Aviva.
Raja Easa Al Gurg
Although her name might be unfamiliar, Raja Easa Al Gurg is one of the most powerful people in the world. She is the Group MD and chairperson of Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group, which consists of 27 companies operating in everything from retail and construction to metal foundries.
Positioned #94 on the Forbes ‘Power Women (2024)’ list, Raja Easa Al Gurg was the first-ever Emirati woman appointed to the board of HSBC Bank Middle East Limited (HBME).
Her impact travels further than her own business. She continues to inspire a new generation of women in Dubai and has encouraged an increase in the number of Emirati women running businesses.
Estée Lauder
Estée Lauder was a visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist who continuously challenged the society and the standards to which women were held.
As the co-founder of Estée Lauder, Inc., with her husband Joseph Lauter in 1946, she saw opportunities to revolutionise marketing to women and supported women’s acquisition of more agency over their purchases.
Notably, Estee Lauder was the first company to encourage women to buy their own perfume by selling their bath oil, ‘Youth-Dew,’ which doubled as a fragrance. Thus, Estee Lauder built a lasting legacy.
Her commitment to inclusivity and the beauty of belonging remains today, inspiring and empowering women everywhere to embrace their natural beauty. This truly set the industry standard, with more and more skincare and beauty products emerging, especially in 2025 to encourage women to celebrate their natural looks and enhance their unique features.
Denise Coates
Denise Coates CBE is the mastermind behind Bet365, the online gambling platform by making this aspect of the sporting industry more accessible around the clock to fans.
This astronomic success has made Coates a billionaire businesswoman and one of the richest women in the UK, with a net worth of $7.7 billion as of 2023, according to Forbes.
Bet365’s influence extends beyond Denise Coates, providing approximately 12,000 jobs in Stoke, which accounts for about 10% of the city’s employment, whether this be directly or indirectly.
Coates’ success is also evident through the Denise Coates Foundation, which supports local, national and international charitable activities.
Celebrating success with Awards Intelligence
There are many business awards that honour and reward women’s successes in the workplace. These awards can also benefit the entire team by raising their professional profile and enhancing their reputation.
We collaborate with our clients to develop strategic award entry plans that align with their current business objectives and future goals.
Contact us today to learn more about these prestigious awards and how to get started.