Women were breaking records and barriers a quarter-century ago in the paint and coatings industry. Ruth Johnson, manager of the coatings and colorimetry lab for Ciba-Geigy; Helene Johnson of Lenmar Lacquers; consultant Ruth Johnston-Feller; Napko Corp.'s Rita Harper, who served as president of the Houston Society for Paint Technology; Helen Skowronska of Sherwin-Williams-all were industry pioneers.
Today, women continue to serve an increasingly accepting industry in ever greater capacities. How do these women view gender issues and coatings careers? Coatings World asked several to share their stories on how they got their start and how they have been advancing in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
Barbara Newell
Penofin Performance Coatings
Dr. Newell is CEO and chairman of the board of Penofin-Performance Coatings Inc., a Ukiah, CA-based, family-owned organization. Originally in the lumber industry, she moved into coatings through a company merger.
"Things are getting better for women, that's true, but we still have a long way to go. I do find t
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