In the '70s, when that firm broke apart, Alex assumed the responsibilities for creating and growing the new organization's financial planning department-a new concept at the time. Increasingly, she worked with clients; by the 1980s, she had bought the firm and established her own company. Often, Alex would be the only woman in a meeting. "Men didn't seem to know whether they should ignore me or ask me out," she remembers.
Alex joined the International Association of Financial Planners and helped forge the role of financial planning in the industry. Money magazine's 1977 cover story on the careers of the future for woman featured Alex, as did Kiplinger. Along the way, she connected with Louis Rukeyser, appearing on his popular television show Wall Street Week for more than ten years.
Themes
Though their paths to success have been different, these pioneers have some things in common. They worked extremely hard and often harder than men to get ahead. At times they were minimized by colleagues and/or clients because of their gender. But they didn't allow themselves to perceive gender as a hindrance, and decided instead to view it as neither advantage nor disadvantage. They also share the opinion that woman are naturally good listeners and gifted in forming relationships.
Women have come a long way in our industry. And although the numbers of women in the industry are still relatively small, they have only come this far because of the efforts and achievements of women like the ones we read about here ... one story at a time.
What's your story? In Part II of the series, we will explore what can be done to attract more women to our industry.
Joni Youngwirth is the managing principal of practice management at Commonwealth Financial Network, member FINRA/SIPC, a registered investment adviser, in Waltham, Mass. She can be reached at [email protected].