The fight for gender equality has come a long way, but it’s still far from over. Women now make up nearly half the workforce in the U.S., yet the numbers tell a different story when it comes to leadership. We see the same patterns repeated across industries: women excelling in entry and mid-level roles but facing systemic roadblocks when advancing to the highest positions. Despite efforts to bridge the gap, the glass ceiling is still intact.
In the corporate world, women hold 34% of board seats at S&P 500 companies and just 11% of board chair roles. The numbers have improved, but not nearly fast enough. A decade ago, these figures were even lower, and while progress should be acknowledged, we must ask—why is the pace so slow?
At the highest executive levels, the trend is just as troubling—women represent only 11.8% of C-suite executives, and that number is actually declining. This means fewer women are making it into the CEO pipeline. This stagnation is particularly disheartening, given that research consistently shows that diverse leadership teams outperform their homogenous counterparts. Companies with greater gender diversity see higher profitability, stronger governance, and better decision-making. The business case is clear—so why aren’t more organizations making gender parity a priority?
The Barriers That Remain
The persistence of gender inequality can be traced back to several structural and cultural barriers, but there are three apparent obstacles.
Work-Life Balance Expectations: Women are still disproportionately expected to shoulder caregiving responsibilities. The pandemic made this glaringly obvious when millions of women left the workforce due to childcare challenges. Without policies that support working parents—like paid family leave, flexible work arrangements, and affordable childcare—women will continue to be pushed out of leadership pipelines.
Pay Gaps: Women in the U.S. still earn 82 cents for every dollar earned by men, and for women of color, the gap is even wider. Over a lifetime, this disparity translates to significant financial disadvantages, impacting wealth accumulation and retirement security.
Lack of Representation in High-Growth Fields: Women remain underrepresented in some of the most lucrative and influential industries, including tech, finance, and engineering. The gender gap in STEM, particularly, limits women’s opportunities to lead in sectors driving the future economy.
Despite this environment, this year’s Groundbreaking Women honorees reflect the breadth of achievement, influence, and impact across industries. Jacqui Patterson, recognized with the Earth Award, has dedicated her career to environmental justice, ensuring marginalized communities are part of the climate conversation. Christina Hammock Koch, who became the first woman assigned to fly around the moon in 2024, has redefined what’s possible in space exploration and serves as a role model for aspiring scientists and engineers. Bridget Grimes, founder of WealthChoice LLC, empowers women executives with financial strategies tailored to their unique career challenges, paving the way for economic independence. Michele Walsh, Executive Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer at UNICEF USA, has led groundbreaking philanthropic efforts that mobilize billions for global child welfare, demonstrating the power of mission-driven leadership.
In sports, Alex Morgan, Chloe Kim, Simone Manuel, Sue Bird, and Jamie Chadwick have dominated their respective fields and used their platforms to advocate for more significant gender equity in sports media and sponsorships. In technology, Rashida Hodge at Microsoft is advancing AI innovation while championing diversity in the industry.
At Worth, we believe in recognizing the women already breaking barriers and paving the way for the next generation. That’s why we’re excited to invite you to the Groundbreaking Women Summit 2025: Rise and Lead on April 10th at the Pendry Hotel in New York City.
This event will bring together some of the most influential women in business, politics, and social change to share their insights, stories, and strategies for success. It’s not just a celebration—it’s a call to action. The time for incremental progress is over. The future belongs to those who demand real change.
We hope to see you there.
