| (1794
- 1854) |
| Inducted: |
1994 |
| Region: |
Northeast |
| Industry: |
Manufacturing
|
|
Rebecca Lukens was America’s first female CEO of an industrial company. When Lukens’ husband became ill, he urged her to take over the operations of the Brandywine Iron Works and Nail Factory. She agreed and went on to run it for 24 years. Lukens not only rescued the mill from near bankruptcy but also built it into the country’s premier manufacturer of boilerplate, high-quality iron essential to the making of steam boilers. Lukens Inc. is the oldest continuously operating steel mill in the United States. |
