Craigie Zildjian on her beginnings at Avedis Zildjian

Craigie Zildjian is executive chair of the Avedis Zildjian Company, the oldest family-owned company in the United States. After graduating from Boston University with a master’s degree in education in 1976, Zildjian joined her father and grandfather in the family business as a personnel manager. Then, 23 years later, she became the first female CEO in the company’s 376-year history.

Photo: Zildjian Linkedin profile

There is an interesting entry on Linkedin, recently posted by Craigie, in which she talks about her joining this remarkable company and describes what it was like at the time for women who wanted to pursue a professional career:

“My Moment of Inclusion.

Out of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s came the Women’s Liberation Movement offering far greater opportunities for women in the workplace. During the following decade, the number of working women climbed 42%, with much of the increase taking place in professional jobs traditionally reserved for men.

I remember the 1970’s as an exciting time to be a woman in America given the dramatic shift in the way women were perceived. Suddenly it seemed possible to be a female lawyer, doctor, politician, or professional athlete. Clearly, a door had been opened. But, what I didn’t see coming was my grandfather’s invitation for me to join the management team at Zildjian.“

She continues the post thanking her grandfather Avedis III, who dared to introduce changes in the personnel of his company, which were very innovative for the time:

“I knew my grandfather Avedis III was very forward-thinking. Someone who had always been able to embrace change and take risks. And, now he was willing to take a risk on me. What a surprise that after more than 350 years of male-only participation in the family business, a door had been opened for me. Forty-seven years ago last November, I walked through that door.

Eternally grateful to my grandfather Avedis III for my moment of inclusion.

– Craigie Zildjian“.