Patricia Roberts Harris holds a significant place in history as the first Black woman to serve on the corporate board of a major Fortune 500 company. This has great dual significance for me: (1) She hails from Mattoon, Illinois, the headquarters of First Mid Bank & Trust (FMBH:NASDAQ), where I serve on the board of this publicly traded bank and (2) We both were initiated into the same historically black public service sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc. Born in 1924, Ms. Harris grew up in this Midwestern town before embarking on a remarkable career in law, politics, public service. and corporate governance. Her groundbreaking appointment to the board of IBM in 1971 marked a pivotal moment not only for her career but also for diversity and inclusion in corporate America.
Harris’s journey to the IBM board was one of perseverance and achievement. A distinguished lawyer and public servant, she had already shattered numerous barriers throughout her career. Before her corporate board appointment, Harris served as the U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg, making her the first Black woman to represent the United States as an ambassador. She also held prominent roles in the Johnson and Carter administrations, advocating for civil rights, women’s rights, and social justice.
Harris’s presence on the IBM board represented a significant step forward in diversifying corporate leadership. As a woman of color, she brought a unique perspective and invaluable expertise to the table. Her appointment signaled a commitment by IBM to embrace diversity and inclusion within its governance structure, setting an example for other corporations to follow.
In the MBA course I teach at Olin Business School, Leading Across Differences, my students read “Diversity as Strategy” by David Thomas in the Harvard Business Review. It explores IBM’s commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion as integral components of its corporate strategy, rather than merely as initiatives for compliance or social responsibility. The company recognized that diverse perspectives and experiences lead to better problem-solving and creativity, IBM’s diversity initiatives extended beyond hiring practices to encompass all aspects of the employee experience including leadership development, career advancement, and inclusive workplace culture. As such it is no surprise that IBM was in the forefront by naming Patricia Roberts Harris as the first black woman to serve on a Fortune 500 board. It was a part of their “walking the talk” method of illustrating the importance of how belonging can lead to financial gain in business.
Harris’s historic achievement inspired countless individuals, particularly women and people of color, to pursue careers in corporate governance and leadership. By breaking through barriers and ascending to the highest echelons of corporate America, she paved the way for future generations to follow in her footsteps.
Gisele Marcus is a professor of practice – diversity, equity, and inclusion at Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis. Her teaching in the classroom and with corporate clients is on the topics of connection and belonging. She has an earned MBA from Harvard Business School.
Leave a Reply