Lessons Learned from Iconic Women in History

Inspiration, resilience, and timeless business wisdom from the trailblazers who came before us.

At Co-Women, we’re proud to be part of a growing movement that supports and empowers women in business through meaningful business networking opportunities, peer support, and knowledge-sharing. But the work we do today wouldn’t be possible without the incredible women who came before us — the pioneers who broke barriers, challenged norms, and rewrote the rules of leadership, innovation, and enterprise.

This week, we’re looking to some of history’s most iconic women to reflect on what they can still teach us today — not only about running a business, but about owning our space, lifting others, and staying true to ourselves in the process.

1. Madam C.J. Walker – Be Bold in Your Vision

As the first self-made female millionaire in America, Madam C.J. Walker built a haircare empire from the ground up. She faced systemic racism, economic hardship, and sexism — yet she turned her own need into a revolutionary product line and grew it into a flourishing business.

Lesson: Trust your lived experience. If you see a gap in the market or an underserved community, your insight is invaluable. Walker’s success was driven by purpose as much as profit — something we see echoed in many women in business today. Don’t be afraid to dream big and build boldly.

2. Emmeline Pankhurst – Lead with Relentless Purpose

Best known as a key leader of the suffragette movement, Pankhurst didn’t just campaign — she galvanised. Her methods were considered radical, but her unwavering commitment to change helped pave the way for the votes we now take for granted.

Lesson: Your business can be a platform for change. Women today continue to challenge outdated systems — from redefining workplace culture to demanding better representation. Purpose-led leadership is powerful. And when we come together, as we do through business networking at Co-Women, our collective voice becomes unstoppable.

3. Anita Roddick – Build with Ethics at the Core

Founder of The Body Shop, Roddick was a pioneer in ethical business long before it became mainstream. She built her company on principles of sustainability, community trade, and cruelty-free products, proving that doing good and doing well are not mutually exclusive.

Lesson: Your values are your strongest differentiator. In today’s crowded marketplace, customers and clients are looking for authenticity and integrity. Women in business are uniquely positioned to lead with both — and to create companies that reflect their ethics.

4. Rosa Parks – Quiet Strength Speaks Volumes

Though best known for a single, powerful act of resistance, Rosa Parks spent years organising, mentoring, and leading. Her refusal to give up her seat became a spark that ignited a movement — not because she shouted the loudest, but because she stood firm in what she believed.

Lesson: Leadership isn’t always loud. Whether you’re running a solo enterprise or managing a team, there’s power in showing up with quiet conviction. At Co-Women, we celebrate all forms of leadership — from the strategic thinkers to the gentle visionaries.

5. Marie Curie – Pursue Mastery Relentlessly

The first woman to win a Nobel Prize — and still the only person to win in two different sciences — Marie Curie advanced her field against staggering odds. She pursued knowledge with relentless curiosity and resilience, even when she was excluded from the very institutions she helped transform.

Lesson: Your expertise is your power. In business networking spaces, women often underplay their credentials. Curie reminds us that deep knowledge, when paired with perseverance, has the potential to change the world.

Building on Their Legacy

Each of these iconic women lived in vastly different times, yet their lessons are strikingly relevant for women in business today:

• Lead with purpose.

• Hold your values close.

• Champion others.

• Stand strong in your own way.

• Never stop learning.

  
  

At Co-Women, we believe that modern business networking isn’t just about making contacts — it’s about building community, creating change, and learning from those who’ve paved the way. The stories of these women inspire us to keep showing up, keep building boldly, and keep lifting each other as we climb.