Courtesy of BISSELL Inc .

By Stephanie Forshee

Anna Sutherland Bissell was a sweeping sensation at the turn of the 20th century . She is known for becoming the first female chief executive officer of a major corporation — even before that exact term was used . She led the company from 1889 to 1919 , long before Bissell made vacuum cleaners . That was when the business produced carpet sweepers and thrived under the leadership of Anna , who excelled in marketing , sales and providing employees a healthy and warm workplace .

“ She ’ s an example of a hard-working immigrant ,” says Mark Bissell , the current CEO of Bissell Inc . and Anna ’ s great

Grand Rapids Public Museum

Left : Advertising poster for Bissell carpet sweepers , circa 1900 .

Above : Portrait of Anna Sutherland Bissell , America ’ s first female CEO .

24 FINANCIAL HISTORY | Winter 2024 | www . MoAF . org