Chairman's Message

WOMEN IN INSURANCE

I’m honored to introduce this special edition of Primary Agent magazine, dedicated to women in insurance. It coincides with IA&B’s first annual Women’s Conference, which will be held later this month to a sold-out crowd.

It’s no accident that this publication and the conference occur this month. March marks Women’s History Month and includes International Women’s Day (March 8) – both of which make this an appropriate time to highlight the contributions of women in our industry and to support their continued growth.

A FEW RELEVANT TIDBITS:

▲ Women account for approximately 65% of the 2.7 million employees in the insurance workforce, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in January 2020.

▲ The first woman insurance commissioner in the United States was Virginia Mae Brown, of West Virginia, in 1961.

▲ The first recorded women’s insurance industry organization was the Women Leaders Round Table, founded in 1936.

Women continue to make strides in our businesses, increasingly rising to leadership roles. On the following pages, you’ll find insights and advice from seven women leaders within IA&B’s membership. Men and women alike will find inspiration in their words and admiration for their contributions.

To the women profiled in this publication – and to all those who make this industry great – thank you.

Until next time,

Richard M. Rankin

Chair of the Board