![221018-RL-FallFeatures-101822_HBS_features_5357[39].jpeg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59ffbd7cf43b55030b83a5d8/1721017093480-K1BMWSFKLLLX3T1A4ZWJ/221018-RL-FallFeatures-101822_HBS_features_5357%5B39%5D.jpeg)
A History of
Women at HBS
The presence of women at Harvard Business School (HBS) has evolved significantly over the years.
In 1937, the Training Course in Personnel Administration at Radcliffe College (later known as the Harvard-Radcliffe Program in Business Administration), a certificate program that Harvard Business School (HBS) professor Fritz Roethlisberger called “the first daring experiment in ‘practical education’ for women,” opened the door for women to study business at Harvard University.
By 1959, HBS faculty voted to admit women into the MBA Program and the Executive Education Program for Management Development. Women graduates of the Harvard-Radcliffe Program were allowed to apply for a second-year MBA.
Twenty-six years later, in 1963, the first eight female students enrolled in the two-year MBA program at Harvard Business School (HBS), alongside 676 men. By 1970, women were fully integrated into the program.
Administration at Radcliffe College (later known as the Harvard-Radcliffe Program in Business Administration), a certificate program that Harvard Business School (HBS) professor Fritz Roethlisberger called “the first daring experiment in ‘practical education’ for women,” opened the door for women to study business at Harvard University. Twenty-six years later, in 1963, the first eight female students enrolled in the two-year MBA program at Harvard Business School (HBS), alongside 676 men. By 1970, women were fully integrated into the program.
Today, women make up a significant portion of the MBA class, reflecting the established presence and success of women in business education at HBS.
Read More
First 8 women admitted to first year of MBA program, 1963. HBS Archives Photograph Collection: Student Life. Harvard Business School
“
Building the Foundation
Women who enrolled in HBS during this formative period were true pioneers, they paved the way for future generations of women to make meaningful contributions and assume positions of leadership in the business world
Melissa Banta / Read Full Article
Final Review Sessions
WSA Final Reviews are a time-honored tradition dating back 60 years to when HBS first became co-educational. In 1963, eight women were accepted into the MBA program and led the first WSA review session.
Today, RC (first-year) women take the stage in Klarman Hall to present the term's content to their peers, helping them prepare for exams. Nominated by their peers, these women continue a tradition of leadership and collaboration. The WSA final review sessions have become an integral part of the HBS experience, fostering a supportive and empowering community.
1963
1st wsa final review session
The Class of 1965 is the first to have any women in the class with 8 women
2007
44th wsa final review session
36% of HBS Students are women
Only 3% of Fortune 500 CEOs are women
2023
60th wsa final review session
45% of HBS Students are women
Only 10% of Fortune 500 CEOs are women