Think of a pioneering businesswoman. Your might think of icons from recent years – Oprah Winfrey, Sheryl Sandberg, Taylor Swift. But spare a thought for Ama-e.

Though little is known about her personal life, surviving Sumerian records show that she ran a successful business, invested in local real estate, and oversaw a widespread trade network roughly 4,300 years before the Forbes 30 Under 30 list was created.

Ama-e’s legacy is a testament to the vital contributions of women leaders to business and society throughout history.

Of course, many of them faced historic challenges, not least gender prejudices that restricted their rights and freedoms. After all, women officially became ‘persons’ in their own right less than 100 years ago under Canadian law. And the vote in Ireland this weekend to enshrine gender equality in the constitution by removing language about a woman’s role in the home was soundly rejected.

Hurdles and stereotypes that affect women’s success in traditionally male-dominated sectors like politics, STEM, and business persist. That’s why many business schools around the world have introduced initiatives to encourage women to join these industries and support their development towards achieving leadership positions.

Read more at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattsymonds/2024/03/11/empowering-the-next-generation-of-women-business-leaders/?sh=7e2252ef4266