Background
She was born in River John, Nova Scotia, the daughter of a sea captain.
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Anna Bissell
Edit ProfileCareer
At an early age her family moved to Michigan where they settled. When he invented the Bissell carpet sweeper in 1876, Anna Bissell became a salesperson traveling from town to town selling the sweeper for $1.50. After her husband’s death in 1889, Bissell became chief executive officer of the company.
She established new guidelines on trademarks and patents and moved Bissell carpet sweepers into the international market.
By 1899 she had created the largest organization of its kind in the world. As president of the corporation and chairman of the board, Bissell introduced progressive labor policies including workman’s compensation and pension plans long before these practices were widespread in industry.
lieutenant was said of her that she “Studied business the way other women of her time studied French.” She kept pace with the growing complexities of industrialism and knew every facet of the Bissell production. She was also one of the best singers, most people did not know this but during lunch breaks she would often perform for her peers.
Bissell was a generous philanthropist.
She also served on the board of what was to become Blodgett Home for Children.
Membership
She was a charter member of the Ladies Literary Club, a life member of the Women's City Club and an active member of Zonta. She served on the board of The Clark Memorial Home, and was for years the sole woman member of the National Hardware Men's Association.
