It has been estimated that worldwide, about 70% of impoverished people are women and children. That is why many women groups are acting to empower women to emerge from such poverty situations. People are now recognizing the fact that women have the potential like their men counterparts to excel in different business activities.

Through the years, women have been actively taking part in many important businesses. Almost all global industries are now recognizing the competence and skills of women. Thus, statistics show that the number of women executives in many businesses worldwide has been constantly rising as years pass by. That is in recognition of women’s ability, skills and competence to lead and manage businesses.
It has been part of women’s struggles to take involvements in business transactions. Through the years, as women’s rights have been upheld and further expanded, women have been allowed to take freedom in taking many significant endeavors. And through time, women have proven that they are worth all the trust and recognition.

Women, businesses and history

During the 18^th and 19^th century laws, married women were not allowed by legislations to legally own properties. What was worse was that during those times, women were also not allowed to do other legal transactions like filing legal complaints or even signing contracts.

Historical accounts and common folk stories have it that women in the early years had already proven their worth and potential as business persons. Many wives were able to manage businesses of their husbands. Widows and single women were allowed to run businesses under their own names and had proven to everyone that they could be significantly good when it comes to investments.

Women were allowed to take economic rights and permissions by law to conduct official businesses on the second half of the 19^th century. It was more like liberation because women were finally allowed to sign contracts, become independent agents and secure credits and loans. Many women started getting involved into businesses and investments. In fact, there have been countless names of women who became as prominent as their male counterparts in the investment scene since then.

Even though women were empowered to get involved in investments in the 19^th century, the society then was still not fully ready to encourage women to take business endeavors. Many people still felt that the competence, knowledge and skills of women were not yet adequate for them to handle business challenges effectively.

Example of women’s participation in businesses

A classic example would be the case of Pinkham’s vegetable compound business. The small company was owned, founded and managed by Lydia Pinkham, a widow. Mrs Pinkham had her own recipes and home remedies to treat common ailments. Thus, she decided to use that knowledge to start up a business. Pinkham, the company, was born in the United States later in the 19^th century.

Clients and consumers patronized Pinkham products heavily. The brand and the products even contained Mrs Pinkham’s name and picture. Mrs Pinkham was full time taking care of all aspects of the business. However, it was learned that Mrs. Pinkham was not the registered owner and operator of the business, but her sons. Thus, Mrs. Pinkham’s important role in the firm was often neglected and overlooked.

It took some more decades before people were finally convinced about the ability of women to effectively and properly own and operate businesses. Some women were actually running businesses on their own, but they were still forced to conceal their management prowess.

Active in the business scene

Modern women, particularly in the United States, are proving that women are equally competent with men counterparts. Women are now more actively taking participation in the corporate world. More women are also taking more investments now, although they are behaving practically different when it comes to placing significant investments.

Women have successfully struggled in the business scene. Now, all industries recognize the efficiency, competence and skills acquired by women. These traits are deemed very helpful and beneficial as women cautiously take significant investments.

Luckily, now, women have the rights and privilege to start, own, maintain and operate businesses. No other legal impediments or societal hindrances would ever halt a woman from taking a business endeavor.