Caring for Women: One Company’s Journey Through Time

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Thank you Johnson & Johnson for sponsoring this post.

I’m the only female in my house. My kids like to bring that fact up regularly, as though I’m special because I’m not male. I’m different than them, and I happily embrace that fact. I try to be as open and honest with them about what it means to be a woman including from a biology perspective. They never get tired of me sharing my pregnancy stories. From what foods I craved to their actual birth stories, all three of my boys are fascinated. How can they not be? Growing them has been the coolest thing I’ve done, and I love sharing the special memories.

I’m proud to be a woman. We’ve accomplished a lot over the years and I’m thankful for all of the women who have paved the way to my make my life better. They’ve fought for equality and for a voice. The struggle might not be over yet, but women are still making waves!

Johnson & Johnson’s Rich History

Companies that have a long history of valuing woman in the workplace hold a special place in my heart. One of those pioneers is Johnson & Johnson.  Did you know that when Johnson & Johnson launched in 1886 eight of their fourteen employees were women? By the early 1910s, women led a quarter of Johnson & Johnson’s departments. That’s pretty impressive at a time when opportunities for women were scarce.

Johnson & Johnson Museum

As a long time member of the Johnson’s Baby Cares Council, I’ve had the opportunity to visit Johnson & Johnson headquarters multiple times. Each of my visits presented the chance to get an up close and personal look at not only their products, but the people and science behind the products. Last spring I was able to visit Our Story at the Powerhouse, a museum located on their campus in New Brunswick, New Jersey. There I was given a look into many aspects of their long heritage, including their commitment to women.

Johnson & Johnson has a long history of caring about the health and wellbeing of women and families. They were pioneers in the late 1890’s when they created Maternity Kits to help make childbirth and the first days of life safer for mother and baby.

Image Courtesy: Johnson & Johnson Archives
Dr. Simpson’s Maternity Packet (1890s)

Just before the start of the 20th century, Johnson & Johnson created disposable sanitary napkins on a mass scale to offer an alternative to homemade methods. (Thank you for that!)

Image Courtesy: Johnson & Johnson Archives
Women purchasing MODESS® Sanitary Napkins at drugstore (1920s)

Johnson & Johnson’s Continued Commitment

Johnson & Johnson continues to work with organizations worldwide, providing women, children and expectant mothers with resources to live healthier lives. This proud legacy will continue on into the future for generations to come.

Visit Johnson & Johnson’s digital museum to learn more!

Image Courtesy: Johnson & Johnson Archives
Johnson & Johnson donated sutures to the Addis Ababa fistula hospital in Ethiopia, the start of a partnership that grew to include comprehensive treatment, surgeon training and community outreach (1980s)

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.