Purpose – This editorial aims to review the contents of the special issue, situating it within appropriate historical context. Design/methodology/approach – A close reading of the contents of the special issue is provided. Findings – This special issue reveals the important contributions...

Purpose – This article aims to explore the work lives and contributions of a group of women employed at the J. Walter Thompson advertising agency in the early twentieth century. Design/methodology/approach – Archival source material from the J. Walter Thompson Company archives at Duke...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a biographical review of the career of the late Caroline Robinson Jones (1942‐2001) in order to understand her challenges and contributions to the advertising profession. Prior to her death, she was considered the foremost African‐American...

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to look at the role played by home economists in providing information to consumers about household products. The work of home economist and educator Martha Van Rensselaer is reviewed, specifically her time as editor of the homemaking department of...

Purpose – Women and marketing have had a complicated relationship for a considerable time. They have often been involved with marketing‐type practices for longer than we have appreciated to date. Against considerable odds, some have carved out careers in academia and practice that have to be...