The Firsts

ByAddictionInCreative AdvertisingOn4 March 20265 March 2026

They were “the firsts,” so others wouldn’t have to be “the only.”

Throughout advertising history, a handful of women stepped into rooms where they were not expected, not invited, and often not welcomed. Yet they stayed. They created. They led. Because of them, boardrooms, creative departments, media rooms, and agencies themselves began to change. These pioneers didn’t simply enter the industry—they reshaped it. Today we honor some of the women who went first.

The Very First 1880

Long before women had the right to vote, Mathilde C. Weil was already shaping the advertising business. Credited as the first female advertising professional, Weil later founded what is considered the first woman-run advertising agency—nearly 40 years before American women gained suffrage in 1920. Her presence in the industry was not just groundbreaking—it was visionary.

Breaking Taboos in Advertising 1908

At a time when advertising was conservative and formulaic, Helen Lansdowne Resor was redefining the creative approach. She became known for pioneering modern copywriting techniques and is often credited as the first advertiser to introduce sexual imagery in print advertising—a radical concept in the early 1900s. Her ideas helped shape the emotional storytelling that advertising still relies on today.

Hall of Fame Pioneer 1952

Erma Perham Proetz became the first woman inducted into the Advertising Hall of Fame. Working during the Great Depression, she pioneered what we now call content marketing, creating integrated multimedia campaigns that blended storytelling, journalism, and advertising. Her work proved that meaningful content could build powerful brands.

Opening the Hispanic Market 1960s

Sara Sunshine, a Cuban refugee who built her career in New York advertising, helped open the door for the Hispanic market within the industry. She became the first recipient of a Clio Award for work targeting the Hispanic market, bringing cultural representation into campaigns and helping brands understand the power of multicultural audiences.

Proud Owner 1970

Barbara Proctor began her career as a copywriter, but she would go on to make history. She became the first African American woman to own and operate an advertising agency. Proctor was known for her unwavering principles. She refused to work with companies that demeaned women or African Americans—proving that leadership in advertising could also mean leadership in values.

“I Love New York” Visionary 1970s–1990s

Mary Wells Lawrence became one of the most celebrated figures in advertising history. She was the first female CEO of a company listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the creative force behind iconic campaigns including “I Love New York.” Her bold style, theatrical creativity, and fearless leadership helped redefine what advertising could look like—and who could lead it.

Global Leadership 1985

Lois McNamee began her career as a secretary—but ambition and talent took her much further. She became the first woman appointed to run an established advertising agency and later the first female partner in a global advertising agency network. Her journey showed that leadership paths in advertising could start anywhere.

Association President 2008

It wasn’t until the 21st century that the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A’s) had its first woman serving as President and CEO. Nancy Hill held the position for nine years, guiding the organization through a period of transformation shaped by the digital era, emerging media, and changes in the agency model. Her leadership helped redefine the contemporary advertising landscape.

The list continues and there are many more… this is just a sample of remarkable women who not only broke barriers, but also expanded the possibilities of an entire industry. They proved that creativity has no gender, that leadership has no fixed mold, and that progress often begins with someone taking that first step.
Because the first doesn’t follow history. She writes it.