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A WOMAN IN BUSINESS
The Life of Beatrice Fox Auerbach
"Don’t write about me as a businesswoman; call me a woman in business."
- Beatrice Fox Auerbach
MBC 639 – Fall 2011
Submitted by: Margaret ButlerCrystal Lo Elizabeth Shubsda Liz Wein
GREAT AMERICAN BUSINESS LEADERS OF THE 20 T H
CENTURY
Beatrice F. Auerbach – President of G. Fox and Company
1938-1965
“In 1938, when Auerbach became President of G. Fox and Company, it
is almost certain that she was the only female President of a Major
Department Store in the US. Auerbach was a pioneer in a number of
fair employment practices, including the five day work week. In the 27
years Auerbach headed G. Fox and Co., she increased sales ten fold.
By 1959, Fox’s was the largest privately owned retail store in the
country.”
Copyright © 2011President and Fellows of Harvard Collage
Personal
Born 1887- Died 1968
Birthplace - Connecticut
Father – Head of the Same Company
Race – White
She held daily meetings with all
of her employees to ensure
direct communication. This
personal touch exemplified the
extra care she put into her
employees and her store.
Employees came first; and with
the care of her employees came
the financial results that she was
looking for.
A BUSINESS WOMEN AHEAD OF HER T IME
Beatrice had many amenities
in place for her employees;
such as this in-store medical
center (actually located inside
of G. Fox & Co.) for employee
illness and health needs.
They were also one of the first
companies to provide medical
insurance to their employees.
EMPLOYEES FIRST
“THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS R IGHT” AND “ALWAYS EXCEED THEIR
EXPECTATIONS”
Beatrice followed in her father’s foot steps in this area.
If a product a customer wanted was not available at the store;
she would personally see to it that it was brought in. She would
even have it delivered right to the customer’s front door; if they so
desired.
She watched all of the little details. She had said of her
inventory that “to be out of a basic item was heresy, and treated
accordingly.”
(page 157)
BEATRICE’S LEADERSHIP TRAITS
Inspired and groomed by her father to take over the business
(environmental trait).
Extroverted (inherited and environmentally developed trait) as
she was exposed to several different cultures through her youth
and adult world travels.
Culturally diverse hiring practices (probably influenced by the
above). One of the first leaders to hire and promote women as
well as hire people of color (including management positions;
page 123) *
BEATRICE ’S LEADERSHIP TRAITS (CONT. )
Fairness (personality trait); as exemplified in her hiring and worker
compensation offerings (including benefits).
Influential (developed trait) in business, local community, and
national affairs.*
Motivational and appreciative (personality traits)– developed the
Moses Fox Club to honor long term employees that had been with
the store for 25 years or more; including lavish dinners and
appreciation gifts.
Determination and loyalty (personality and inherited traits)– during
the Great Depression, no one lost their jobs at G. Fox and Co.
Transforming leadership, is
about hearts and minds … The
leader inspires and somehow
elevates his (her) followers.”
(Pages 36-37; Naturally
Selected)
Servant Leadership –
“Leadership characterized by
humility, empathy, a sense of
community, a respect for ethics
and responsible stewardship of
a group’s resources; leaders
take on their roles at some cost
to themselves to serve the
group.” (Page 38; Naturally
Selected )
LEADERSHIP THEORIES THAT MAY DEFINE
BEATRICE
Transformational Leadership Servant Leadership
Ferdinand Stern – Maternal
Grandfather• Peddler, then merchant
Gerson Fox – Paternal Grandfather • Peddler, then merchant
Moses Fox – Father• Owner of G. Fox & Co.
George Auerbach – Husband• Son of retailers, helped run
G. Fox & Co. until his death.
1917 -started spending time in
store learning business
Owned a copy of 20th Century
Bookkeeping and Accounting by
James Baker containing
handwritten notes (pg. 70).
Upon George’s death, she starts
spending everyday in store at a
desk adjacent to her father.
ARE LEADERS BORN OR MADE?
Beatrice Family of Retailers Beatrice Business Training
Husband• Married George Auerbach- April 5, 1911• George died unexpectedly in
1927Children
• Georgette born in 1916• Married Richard Koopman
in 1940
• Dorothy born in 1919• Married Bernard Schiro
1940
12 grandchildren
FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Chase Going Woodhouse• Professor of Economics
at Connecticut College for Women
• Frequent companion on travels
Judge Solomon Elsner
Eleanor Roosevelt
Family Friends
At her desk every morning by 9:30 AM
Lunched at home with children until they were grown then became work
lunches.
Afternoons she returned to her office
Wore white gloves to check cleanliness as she walked the store
Treated suppliers and manufacturers as partners
Felt success is built on great sales not advertising
Opened all mail addressed to store, even if directed to an employee
Left office each day at 6:00 or 7:00 PM
Wore only black to work; employees required to wear black, dark blue, and
white
WORK ETHIC
11 stories1938 - largest family owned Department Store in nation.
1939 - expanded to 40,000sq ft
Optical Department
Post Office Branch
Book Department• Rental Library• Photographic equipment
with developing
THE STORE
Pharmaceutical Department
Basic items stocked in every• Size, color, price
Catered to women• Personal shoppers• Beauty salon• Restaurants• Free Bridal consultants
Sold first pair of nylons in
US
First to offer free home
delivery to Connecticut,
Massachusetts, & Rhode
Island
Purchases by December 24th
were always delivered in time
for Christmas morning
Major designers visited store• Charles Revson• Estee Lauder• Tobe Coburn
Specialty Services• Interior decorating• Shoeshine• Repair department• Radio repair• Fur storage and repair• Custom gift wrapping• Sewing school• Travel bureau• Hosiery repair
1965 - joined with May
Company
THE STORE (CONT.)
With her parents• England• Germany• Egypt• Switzerland• Norway
With her husband• England• Scotland• France
WORLD TRAVELER
Africa - French Equatorial Africa, Belgian Congo, Kenya, Gold Coast, South Africa, Egypt, Rhodesia, Zanzibar, Nigeria, Ghana, Sudan
Asia - Rangoon, Philippines, Burma, Bangkok, Malaya, Bali, Java, Singapore, Saigon, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Tokyo
Middle East – Lebanon, Karachi, New Delhi, Calcutta, Darwin, Liberia, Turkey, Pakistan
Europe - Germany, Russia, PolandGreeceAustraliaNew ZealandFijiSamoaNew GuineaSouth America – Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, Chile, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Uruguay
WORLD TRAVELER ON HER OWN
Fifteen Club• Provided for Jewish
community of Hartford
Board of Directors of Hebrew Union College in CincinnatiHartford Symphony OrchestraHartford Redevelopment AgencyBoard of the American School for the Deaf
1959 - coordinated with CARE to provide supplies and two sewing machines to a children's orphanage in BoliviaFounder of University of Hartford
CIVIC DUTIES
Organizations Philanthropy
1948 - recognized by the National Urban League for the company’s leadership in hiring and promoting blacks. Instituted a reintegration plan for returning war veterans, including the handicap into her store (first in nation). Established a major in retailing and allied arts at Connecticut College for Women in 1939Women of the Year by Delta Phi Epsilon International Sorority
Beatrice Fox Auerbach Foundation1947 Tobe Award – distinguished contributions in American retailing1955 - delegate to White House Conference on Education1956 - U.S. Chamber of Commerce outstanding boss of the yearPublic Service Award by Connecticut Bar AssociationDistinguished Service Award, American Legion Auxiliary
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
established 1945Statewide nonprofit education service to assist other voluntary organizationsResource CenterTwo major lecture series each winter in Hartford
• First was on education
• Second on International Affairs
Group visits to the UN
All-day conference at each of the three centers each June covering these topics:
• Leadership training• Parliamentary law• Public speaking• Program planning• Public relations
“Welcome to Connecticut” program
• For International students attending private and public colleges in Connecticut
T H E B E AT R I C E F OX A U E R B A C H S E RV I C E B U R E A U F O R W O M E N ’ S O R G A N I Z AT I O N S
Legal Rights of Children, 367 page study on laws affecting troubled childrenThe Police and Children in Trouble, for police officers to assist with children in troubleSchool Law, for teachers and educators dealing with children
Funded a pilot project to develop law related curriculum in Norwich, ConnecticutHosted dinner parties at her home to honor guest speakersHeld picnic each summer at family farm, Auerfarm, for organization members to gather and discuss insights and ideas
T H E B E A T R I C E F O X A U E R B A C H S E R V I C E B U R E A U F O R W O M E N ’ S O R G A N I Z A T I O N S ( C O N T . )
“The true beauty of retailing is that it teaches people to like other people for what they really are. Retailing is a poor word, it is a science and spirit and joy, the joy of working hard and the joy of thinking about other people” (pg. 97).
“Travel with my parents had a broadening influence on me as a human being and more than anything else gave me insight into the oneness of the peoples of the world. Regardless of race, color, religion, traditions, or background, they all had one thing in common, the need for one another. The concept of service began to develop in my subconscious” (pg. 146).
QUOTES BY BEATRICE FOX-AUERBACH