Our Commitment to Women

During the early 1900s, American society feared that women entering the workforce would prevent them from fulfilling their natural roles as mothers and wives. Even so, Johnson & Johnson provided women with professional opportunities while giving them the space to support their families.

Von Kuster received her degree in chemistry from the University of Minnesota. Before she was hired as Johnson & Johnson’s first woman scientist, she taught chemistry at her alma mater.

The women of the club also pioneered many aspects of community service at Johnson & Johnson. Members volunteered at local orphanages and launched a medical clinic for low-income mothers and their babies to provide them with free care, education, and company products.

Many early Johnson & Johnson products were named after Dr. Joseph Lister, who pioneered sterile surgery. Lister’s groundbreaking development inspired Robert Wood Johnson to found Johnson & Johnson with two of his brothers.

The company’s Maternity Kits were so popular that they were produced for countries around the world—sold in Latin America and parts of Europe, including Great Britain.

Women also volunteered for military service in many capacities. Among them was Katherine Hannan, the first female Johnson & Johnson employee to enlist. She served in the U.S. Army as the chief nurse of Evacuation Hospital No. 17 in Siberia.

Women’s sacrifice and service during the war helped them secure the right to vote in 1920. It also provided many with new leadership experience outside the home.

Produced based on consumer research, Modess Pads provided women with silent purchase coupons. At the time, it was taboo to ask for sanitary products by name, so the coupons allowed women to buy pads without breaking with social norms.

As more women took jobs outside the home, fewer and fewer had time to wash cloth diapers. Disposable, Chux Diapers were a big timesaver. Chux were first sold to hospitals in 1932 and then directly to consumers three years later.

Through one of its operating companies, Johnson & Johnson began manufacturing an early family planning product in 1931. ORTHO-GYNOL was the first contraceptive gel available by prescription.

In 1944, the company launched a six-month unpaid maternity leave so that women returning to work after the birth of their babies would retain their positions and seniority level.

Among the first birth control pills approved by the FDA was Johnson & Johnson’s ORTHO-NOVUM^® Oral Contraceptive, which contained a relatively low dose of hormones and was more affordable than earlier family planning methods.

During the mid-century, Johnson & Johnson also developed one of the first tampon brands, Meds, as well as educational literature, Growing Up and Liking It, to teach girls about puberty.

The company is dedicated to fostering the growth of women employees across the globe. Through these programs, women executives mentor international employees to support their career advancement.

Through its WiSTEM ²D (Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Manufacturing, and Design) program, Johnson & Johnson seeks to foster girls’ STEM education and prepare them to pursue advanced degree programs and careers in the field.

Caused by long, obstructed births, obstetric fistula is a devastating and often-preventable condition. That’s why Johnson & Johnson funds free, corrective surgeries and provides post-op economic training to help mothers—some who’ve been shunned by their communities because of this condition—financially support their families.

Through HBB, the company strives to reduce infant mortality from birth asphyxia by integrating neonatal resuscitation skills and equipment into existing maternal and newborn health services.