“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
As little girls with the big, wide world at our feet, the answer to this question is easy: We believe we can be anything we want to be. From a doctor or a pilot to an astronaut or the President, our ambitions are only limited by our own imaginations.
But as girls become teens and teens become women, we learn that representation matters. Seeing really is believing when it comes to having the self-confidence, self-belief and self-worth to seize the future we want and deserve.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2021, there has never been a more important time to discover the inspirational women who came before us, celebrate the powerful women who stand among us and inspire the influential women who will follow us.
Click through the timeline to discover our legacy of trailblazing women who have been shattering the glass ceiling since as early as the nineteenth century.
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1860 – Mary Boot
Following the death of her husband, John Boot, who founded the first herbalist store in Nottingham, England, Mary Boot continued to run the “Boots” family business with the support of her son, Jesse.
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1886 – Florence Rowe
Florence Rowe married Jesse Boot and joined her husband in running the Boots business. Not only did she introduce new services and products, the most significant being the launch of the beauty business, but she was also responsible for guarding the welfare of female employees. In 1917, Florence became the first female director of Boots; a fitting recognition for her outstanding contribution to the organization.
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1902 – Myrtle Norton Walgreen
Following her marriage to Charles R. Walgreen Sr., Myrtle Norton Walgreen worked alongside her husband to build up their corner drugstore into a world-famous business. As well as baking pies and preparing soup to be sold to customers, she cared deeply for their employees and invited some to join her family for Sunday night dinner at the Walgreen’s home. Later in 1967, she was recognized by Loyola University Chicago for her contributions to cultural and humanitarian programs.
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1931 – Winnifred Minett
Winnifred Minnett (pictured front row, center) was one of the company’s first female pharmacists and proudly became its first female store manager. While studying as a pharmacist in Exeter, England, she discovered she was the only female student among 40 men.
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1935 – Mrs. Dalrymple
As the face behind the original No7 brand, Mrs. Dalrymple introduced innovative and inclusive methods of engaging with customers. She was also referred to as a “Boots beauty consultant,” and offered sales tips and observations to store colleagues.
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1944 – Dr. Lois Dickinson
As the head of Boots’ virology section, Dr. Lois Dickinson was responsible for conducting pioneering research into tuberculosis. She published numerous research papers on her work and built up an international reputation in this field.
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1960 –‘70s – Dolen Davies
Dolen Davies had a long association with the No7 brand and was one of the original No7 beauty consultants. In 1960, she became the company’s “beauty specialist” and worked on the relaunch of the No7 brand in 1971. During the 1970s, Davies was responsible for 500 No7 consultants and 22 supervisors.
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1995 – Joanne Millington
Joanne Millington became the first female area manager at Boots.
She joined Boots in 1978 as a pre-registration pharmacy graduate, and held a number of different positions within the organization before taking on the responsibility for the South East area.
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2010 – Women of WBA Business Resource Group
The Women of WBA business resource group officially launched in 2010, originating in the U.S. and known then as Women of Walgreens.
Remaining true to its vision of being a global community where women in WBA can reach their desired potential, the group has evolved into a network of more than 1,000 members, with additional groups in the UK, Germany, Netherlands and Hong Kong.
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2010 – Kathleen Wilson-Thompson
Kathleen Wilson-Thompson served as Executive Vice President and Global Chief Human Resources Officer of Walgreens Boots Alliance from December 2014 to January 2021, and previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of Walgreens from January 2010 to December 2014. Previously, she served as Senior Vice President, Global Human Resources of Kellogg Company from July 2005 to December 2009. She serves on the boards of Tesla and a number of nonprofit community organizations, and is a prior board member of Ashland Global Holdings Inc.
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2016 – Ornella Barra
For over 35 years, Ornella Barra has held several senior roles in Walgreens Boots Alliance and its predecessor companies. Since June 2016, she is co-chief operating officer for Walgreens Boots Alliance. In her role, she oversees Boots (UK, Republic of Ireland and Opticians), Global Brands, Retail Pharmacy International and International Wholesale, as well as Global Human Resources, Communications, CSR and other business services.
In October 2020, Barra was highly commended for her sustainability leadership at the Responsible Business Awards 2020, recognizing her innovation and her passionate commitment to promoting community health.
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2016 – Elizabeth Fagan
Elizabeth Fagan was announced as the first female senior vice president and managing director of Boots UK; an incredible achievement following a number of successful roles across the company. Fagan later received a CBE at Buckingham Palace for her services to gender equity in business.
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2019 – Ann Miller
Ann Miller is Boots UK’s longest serving female employee. Starting her career as an apprentice in 1959, she recently celebrated over 60 years of service.
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2021 – Rosalind Brewer
With a proven track record of leadership and operational expertise at multi-national corporations, Rosalind Brewer is the Chief Executive Officer of Walgreens Boots Alliance, making her one of two Black women today to lead a Fortune 500 company.
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2021 - Holly May
A former colleague of Roz Brewer’s at Starbucks, Holly May was tapped as the global chief human resources officer of WBA in October 2021. A passionate supporter of mental health, work-life balance and fair and progressive global HR policy, May previously held roles as global CHRO at Abercrombie & Fitch and senior vice president of global total rewards and service delivery at Starbucks.
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2021 - Anita Allemand
A pharmacist and innovative thinker, Anita Allemand took the newly created role of chief transformation and integration officer in October 2021. She was selected by Roz Brewer to focus on the digital aspect of WBA’s future as a comprehensive healthcare company.
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2021 - Danielle Gray
WBA’s chief legal officer as of September 2021, Danielle Gray is the former Assistant to the President, Cabinet Secretary, and a Senior Advisor to U.S. President Barack Obama. She has a first-hand ability to grow the company as a trusted brand in healthcare as the previous chief legal officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield North Carolina.
