Soon after Margaret Bradshaw,CLU, graduated from college in 1928, a recruiting pamphlet inspired her to seek work in the insurance field. That year, she became the first woman life insurance agent in John Hancock's Providence, R.I., office. She quickly embraced her new profession and went on to a successful career spanning many years.
Bradshaw, a former NAIFA member, passed away late last week at the age of 106.
In 1931, she was among the first agents, and only the fourth woman, to earn the presigious Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation from The American College.
Later, Bradshaw taught insurance courses at Brown University and wrote and spoke regularly on insurance-related topics, stressing the importance of education and ethics for agents. She also promoted the insurance and financial fields as rewarding careers for women.
Bradshaw was a true pioneer, and she was able to thrive in a profession made up almost exclsuively of men. Today, nearly a quarter of affiliated agents are women, and the percentage continues to grow.