Ruveyda Nur Gozen, a researcher from the London School of Economics, embarked upon a significant research project to understand the behaviors and impacts of female business owners, dating back to the 19th century. Her research underscored their capacity to adapt and persevere amidst economic fluctuations, a testament to their invaluable contributions to the business world.
Gozen’s study unmasked the 19th century female entrepreneurs as pioneers of equality and diversity within the workplace. Employing more women and positioning a strong female presence in a male-dominated sector allowed these businesswomen to set societal trends and influence future generations of female entrepreneurship.
The illustration of the resilience and adaptability of these women redefines conventional narratives, recognizing women as key drivers of economic and societal transformation. Gozen’s research stands as a testament to the legacy and significant contribution of female entrepreneurs in contouring contemporary business.
To unearth these truths, Gozen and her team relied upon innovative research methodologies, including the use of historical documents and conducting oral histories. Their findings revealed a significantly higher engagement of women in entrepreneurship during the 19th century than previously assumed, despite the societal norms of their time.
Throughout the research process, Gozen and her team maintained strict adherence to research integrity, using a meticulous and robust approach. Despite making up only 1% of the total data, the uncovering of about 3,600 businesses operated by women shed light on the 19th-century women’s contribution to the economy, covering a range of industries.
The research also delved into the economic strategies these women adopted and revealed the ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit they possessed despite societal constraints.
19th-century female entrepreneurs: impact and resilience
Research into female entrepreneurship has the potential to uncover more about women’s contribution to past economies.
The study found that 19th-century female entrepreneurs often commenced businesses with less capital than their male counterparts. These women demonstrated immense resilience and determination, successfully managing and expanding their businesses despite societal hurdles such as lack of access to business education and prevailing male-centric business norms.
Interestingly, I found that most 19th-century female entrepreneurs were tied either maritally or familially to industry professionals, aiding their entry into the business world. As a sign of the times, many of these businesses remained unregistered or were operated anonymously as a safeguard against scrutiny and discrimination.
Despite these roadblocks, by the late 19th century, businesswomen began gaining visibility and acceptance, particularly in California, due to the opportunities presented by the gold rush. These trailblazers left a perceptible imprint on the business landscape, forging a path for future generations of female entrepreneurs and significantly contributing to the American economy.
Gozen’s research provides invaluable insights into historical entrepreneurial practices and underlines the commendable achievements of women entrepreneurs throughout history. It has stimulated interest in the exploration of antiquated business models and inventive methods of analysis, triggering the need for more expansive and inclusive research methodologies.
These findings challenge the business and academic communities to rethink their historical entrepreneurial research approach, ensuring it encapsulates the broad range of contributors. Gozen’s work has set a precedent for future research in this area, advocating for a robust, data-driven methodology to explore diverse narratives from economic history.
