What is the glass ceiling for women in leadership?

By: Jhoni Jackson, Edited by: Marie Custodio Collazo

Published: April 17, 2025

Labor force equality has improved greatly over the past 50 years, but significant challenges remain — including the glass ceiling.

Coined in 1978 by writer and workplace diversity advocate Marilyn Loden, the glass ceiling refers to limitations in career advancement for women and other historically excluded groups.

Some of the challenges these groups face include:

• Gender bias
• Racism
• Ableism
• Sexual harassment
• Motherhood and caregiver bias
• Scarcity of mentors and sponsors

While the glass ceiling is a metaphor, its effects are quantifiable. For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2023, the median weekly earnings for women were 84% of their male counterparts.

Additionally, according to a 2023 S&P Global Market Intelligence report, women hold only 11.8% of C-suite positions (e.g., chief executive officer, chief technology officer).

However, women and members of historically excluded groups — and their allies — can work together to help eliminate these inequities. Read on to learn how to help shatter the glass ceiling for yourself and others.

Game plan for shattering the glass ceiling

The glass ceiling isn't impenetrable. Accomplishments from women throughout history — like Madam C.J. Walker, the first woman to become a self-made millionaire, and Indra Nooyi, the first woman of color and immigrant to become a Fortune 500 CEO — prove that breakthroughs are possible.

Still, these women are outliers. However, there are ways to make shattering the glass ceiling possible for more women and historically excluded groups — you'll find our top strategies below.

Join an employee resource group (ERG)

An employee resource group (ERG) is a company-approved, employee-led community based on shared identity, such as gender, sexual orientation, race, or heritage.

These spaces promote inclusion through community-building events and meetings, offer solidarity and empowerment for historically excluded groups, and support professional development through networking and workshops.

Additionally, ERGs are often a safe place to discuss workplace policies that impact the employee experience, which can lead to advocacy for improvement.

Advocate for equitable workplace policies

An equitable workplace ensures fair access to opportunity. Note that equity differs from equality in that an equitable workplace acknowledges that employees have varying degrees of privilege and resources, and their needs can vary accordingly.

Examples of equitable workplace policies include:

• Company-funded continuing education and training
• Transparency around wage and salary information
• Established and accessible career pathway information
• Advancement opportunities based on merit
• Skills-based hiring (as opposed to hiring based on academic degrees)
• Disability inclusivity, including wheelchair-accessible meeting rooms and closed captions for video presentations
• Workplace flexibility (when, where, and how work is completed) that accommodates the diverse needs of employees
• Diversity training, including anti-discrimination and unconscious bias training

Find a mentor or sponsor

A mentor uses their personal experience to help you navigate the obstacles and challenges of career advancement.

Sponsors, however, may help identify professional development opportunities and advocate for you in concrete ways, such as serving as a professional reference when you apply for a job opening.

Both types of relationships can be valuable, especially for women and members of historically excluded groups.

You can find potential mentors through ERGs, professional networks (such as a women's leadership group or professional organization), and by developing relationships with company leaders. You can also look at professional communities online, such as LinkedIn.

Commit to continuous learning

Continuous learning is key to professional development and unlocking higher-paying roles.

Stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends through workshops and panels, earn industry certifications, explore women's executive education programs, take courses, and complete training that aligns with your professional goals.

Share your successes

Did you complete a complex project or earn a new certification in your field? Celebrate your workplace wins via company communications, such as Slack and email, and with your professional networks. Be sure to include these successes in your self-evaluation during performance reviews.

Sharing your success is a means of advocating for yourself and making your credentials known. It can also motivate others to reach for wins or share their accomplishments, all of which can contribute to a more positive workplace for everyone.

Prepare to lead

The glass ceiling is breakable. Ready yourself for career advancement with leadership courses on edX.