Ruth Leach Amonette
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Ruth Leach Amonette | |
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Born | Ruth Leach September 24, 1916 Oakland, California, U.S. |
Died | June 21, 2004 Carmel, California, U.S. | (aged 87)
Nationality | American |
Other names | Ruth Pollock, Ruth Amonette |
Education | University of California |
Employer | IBM |
Known for | First female VP at IBM |
Spouses |
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Children | 1 |
Ruth Leach Amonette (September 24, 1916 – June 21, 2004) was an American businesswoman, author, and educator. She was appointed as the first female executive and vice president at
Early life and education
Ruth Leach was born in 1916 in Oakland, California. She had one sister. She attended Piedmont High School in Piedmont, California.[1] She attended the University of California, Berkeley starting in 1933.[2] She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma.[1] While in school, she played tennis. After graduating in 1937 with a degree in political science, she worked as a dental assistant. Eventually, she quit to work at the Golden Gate International Exposition.
IBM
Amonette started working at IBM in February 1939 as a Systems Service Representative. She worked at the Golden Gate International Exposition, presenting demos of IBM typewriters.[2] She trained in service system work for IBM and was sent to work at IBM's Atlanta, Georgia office. She became a teacher for IBM at the United States Department of Education in Endicott, New York, in July 1940. In October, she became the Secretary of Education for Women for IBM.[2] That position had her training women throughout IBM about selling IBM products throughout North America.[citation needed]
Amonette became vice president of IBM on November 16, 1943. She credited Thomas J. Watson providing the "vision and foresight" to employ her in a high-level position. This position made her one of the few women in corporate "power" positions in the United States and one of the youngest people in the nation to hold a high-level position.[1]
In 1947, she recovered from
Later life and legacy
After retiring, she married Walter Bill Pollock in 1954.
Recognition
- 1945 – Outstanding American Woman of the Year, Women's National Press Club
- 1945 – Merit Award, Mademoiselle
- 1946 – Achievement Award, Women's National Press Club
- 1996 – Induction, Women in Technology International Hall of Fame, Women in Technology International