Stephanie Forshee
“ Little Gem ” or “ Little Jewel ,” designed for “ Mother ’ s Little Helpers .” The company wisely gave toy sweepers to delegates of the national suffrage convention in Grand Rapids , according to the same news report .
Relying on the bristles of 10 million hogs per year , the company manufactured 7,000 sweepers per day — 3,000 of its regular size and 4,000 of its toy size . That was nearly 2.2 million sweepers per year .
Bissell ’ s clever and aggressive advertisements from that period were largely targeted to women , particularly housewives , telling them how they could save time and energy by choosing Bissell sweepers .
Inside the company , Anna ’ s leadership was described as follows in a 1904 article in the Michigan Artisan : “ She takes a deep interest , constantly keeping in close touch with the business , and by her kindly ways and sincere consideration for all her employees , inspires results that , without such influence , could hardly be achieved .”
Anna was instrumental in protecting the company ’ s patents and trademarks . In 1896 , for instance , the Bissell Company sued an Indiana-based company called Goshen Sweepers for infringing on its patents , and their lawsuit was successful .
Although Anna herself was not the one litigating , the fact that she directed her employees and lawyers to engage in legal action was something ahead of her time , says Jo Ellyn Clarey , past president of the Greater Grand Rapids Women ’ s History Council . It was extremely unusual in those days to see a woman in the courtroom or engaging in litigation , she says . The decision in Bissell v . Goshen was “ one of more than ordinary importance ,” one news publication said at the time .
Bissell ’ s current CEO , Mark Bissell , says that even today Anna ’ s name comes up in conversations in the workplace at least every week or two — usually in the dialogue around culture . “ We talk a lot about our core values and ascribe them to Anna ,” he said , explaining that although it doesn ’ t appear that Anna had a set of codified values for the business written down anywhere , her priorities were well known and have been passed down over the generations . At home , Anna lived with her family in a three-story brick home with oak floors , a gas heater , seven fireplaces , six baths and a large garage . While she accumulated wealth and was very well traveled , Anna was always passionate about giving to the needy . Her largest contribution was to sponsor the Bissell House , a recreation and training program for youth and immigrant women in Grand Rapids . She also served on the board of what would become the Blodgett Home for Children , and she became one of the first women to serve on the board for the First Methodist Church .
A Legacy
On November 8 , 1934 , Anna Sutherland Bissell passed away at the age of 87 . She was buried at Oakhill Cemetery in Grand Rapids , alongside her husband and children . All of her pallbearers worked for the Bissell Company , underscoring how close she was with her workers .
Anna is known as the first female CEO in the United States and the first female elected to the National Men ’ s Hardware Association ( for years , she was its sole female member ). In the town of Grand Rapids , she is well known as a formidable leader who valued her employees and treated them like family .
Today , at the Bissell headquarters in Grand Rapids , on a company timeline that wraps the halls of the building , is a tribute to Anna — recognizing her contributions to the company .
On Anna ’ s 30th birthday , her daughter Matie called her “ the very beautifulest lady in all the land ,” which visitors to Grand Rapids can see for themselves . In 2016 , Anna was honored with a sevenfoot statue built in her likeness , as part of the Grand Rapids Community Legends Project . It stands outside of DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids near the site of Bissell ’ s original factory .
Anna ’ s statue was unveiled the same year as the company ’ s 140th anniversary . Mark Bissell said at the time : “ I think Anna would be proud knowing that her company is flourishing , is a leader in its industry and still operates with passion and the highest level of integrity . Her legacy was not rested upon . It has been built upon and has never been taken for granted .”
Stephanie Forshee is the finance editor at LinkedIn News , and her byline has appeared in The Wall Street Journal , Morning Brew , Forbes . com , the Financial Times , Newsday , Backstage , and other media outlets . She is also the creator of Hidden Gems for Kids , a children ’ s book series about forgotten women in business . Her first children ’ s book , Hidden Gems : Margaret Getchell LaForge , was published by Archway Publishing in 2023 . Hidden Gems : Maggie Lena Walker , co-authored with Amanda Gerut , will be available this spring .
This seven-foot statue of Anna Sutherland Bissell was created as part of the Grand Rapids Community Legends Project . It stands in downtown Grand Rapids near the site of Bissell ’ s original factory .
28 FINANCIAL HISTORY | Winter 2024 | www . MoAF . org