Chair of the Board's Message

We've Come A Long Way, Baby

This edition of Primary Agent celebrates women in insurance. And they’re definitely worth celebrating because where would we be without them? Literally!

Today, women represent almost 47% of the workforce. More than 39% work in occupations where women account for at least three-quarters of the staff. I would wager that the majority of servicing staff in your agency are women. Hopefully at least half of your agency’s leadership roles are filled by women, too (although the statistics show this is less likely).

Our industry’s hiring and talent shortages are challenging enough. Can you imagine a world where women didn’t contribute to the labor force, and to your organization?

It’s actually not that hard to picture. In my parent’s lifetime, a woman couldn’t get credit cards or a loan in her name without a man co-signing. A generation before that, it was almost unheard of to see a woman in college. In fact, women only have had the right to vote for 105 years, and it took Congress passing the 19th Amendment to the Constitution to make it possible.

We’ve come a long way, baby, but let’s not take it for granted.

At IA&B, we’re certainly not taking women or their contributions for granted. We’re highlighting some of our industry’s best at our third annual (sold out!) Women’s Conference on March 25 and in this magazine. Read the featured interview with Betsy Tribendis, an agency owner who has played a critical role in bringing new talent into the industry through insurance education. You’ll also find inspiration from seven additional IA&B Women of Influence honorees, who share their accomplishments and advice.

I am proud of IA&B’s efforts to support and celebrate women in insurance, and I look forward to witnessing women’s continued, positive impact on our industry.

Until next time,

Sarah Brown, CIC, CRM, AFIS

Chair of the Board