participate in solving the
challenges that will require
our collective brainpower,
like structural racism and
rising inequality.
This shift will not happen
by accident. It will require
the concerted efforts of a48
FORTUNE.COM // JANUARY 2020
shift play out in homes, in
workplaces, and across
public life. It will lead to
new narratives, products,
and policies that reflect
a much broader range of
perspectives. And it will
enable more women to fullyWomen—and, more
important, women of
all backgrounds—will
increasingly be the ones
making decisions, control-
ling resources, and shaping
perspectives in all spheres
of society. We’ll see thisT
HROUGHOUT OUR
history, the face of
power and influ-
ence in the United States
has been overwhelmingly
white and male. Over the
next decade, that will
change.
*INCLUDES OTHER JUDICIAL WORKERS ** APPLICATIONS AND SYSTEMS SOFTWARE
HUMAN RESOURCES
MANAGERS
WEB
DEVELOPERS
COMPUTER AND
MATHEMATICAL JOBS
ARCHITECTURE AND
ENGINEERING JOBS
PHYSICIANS AND
SURGEONS
COMPUTER & INFORMATION
SYSTEMS MANAGERS
COMPUTER
PROGRAMMERS
CIVIL
ENGINEERS
COMPUTER SYSTEMS
ANALYSTS
JUDGES,
MAGISTRATES*
INFORMATION SECURITY
ANALYSTS
AEROSPACE
ENGINEERS
LAWYERS
CHIEF
EXECUTIVES
SOFTWARE
DEVELOPERS**
ARCHITECTURAL AND
ENGINEERING MANAGERS
71% 40% 39% 37%
32% 29% 28% 28%
26% 21% 20% 19%
16% 14% 9% 9%
SHARE OF WOMEN IN THE U.S. WORKFORCE, PER OCCUPATION
SOURCE: BLS (PEOPLE WITH EMPLOYMENT. 2017 AVERAGES)
MELINDA GATES
WOMEN WILL ALTER THE WORKFORCE—DRAMATICALLY
Enabling women to
exercise power and
influence in their
workplaces, homes,
and communities will
change everything.20 IDEAS THAT WILL SHAPE THE 2020s