Anna Sutherland Bissell

Anna Sutherland Bissell was an influential American businesswoman and the first female CEO of a major U.S. company. Born in 1846, she took over her husband's carpet cleaning business after his death in 1889, transforming Bissell Carpet Sweeper Company into a successful enterprise. Under her leadership, the company expanded its product line and became a household name. Bissell was also an advocate for women's rights and supported charitable causes. Her work not only changed the landscape of women's roles in business but also left a lasting legacy in the household goods industry.