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Perry Today
By the People, for the People
Lena Swift Broke the Corporate Glass Ceiling in 1897
The S.S.S. Company celebrates the legacy of its pioneering female president decades before women's suffrage.
Mar. 16, 2026 at 4:00pm
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During Women's History Month 2026, the S.S.S. Company is honoring the legacy of Lena B. Swift, who served as the company's president from 1897 to 1898. Swift was one of the earliest women leading a national consumer brand in the United States, predating women's suffrage by more than two decades. Her leadership helped lay the foundation for the women who lead the company today.
Why it matters
Lena Swift's tenure as president of the S.S.S. Company in the late 19th century stands as a rare and significant achievement for a woman in American corporate history at the time. In the post-Reconstruction South, women's roles in commerce were even more narrowly defined, making Swift's leadership of a nationally recognized and respected company all the more remarkable.
The details
Launched in 1867, the S.S.S. Company (originally Swift's Specific) played a pivotal role in Georgia's business and manufacturing history. By the late 19th century, the firm had grown into a nationally distributed patent-medicine brand. In 1897, Lena B. Swift, the wife of company co-founder Charles Thomas Swift, became the company's president, leading the firm's growth and expansion.
- Lena B. Swift served as president of the S.S.S. Company from 1897 to 1898.
- The S.S.S. Company was launched in 1867 and celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2026.
The players
Lena B. Swift
One of the earliest women leading a national consumer brand in the United States, serving as president of the S.S.S. Company from 1897 to 1898.
Charles Thomas Swift
Co-founder of the S.S.S. Company and husband of Lena B. Swift.
Fannie Lamar Gately
Served as Acting President of the S.S.S. Company in 1919 and was one of only five individuals entrusted with the company's proprietary formula.
Jessica Bryson
Current Vice President of Finance at the S.S.S. Company, continuing the legacy of female leadership.
S.S.S. Company
A trusted name in American wellness for over 200 years, known for products like the S.S.S. Tonic and Mother's Friend.
What they’re saying
“Women have always carried communities on their backs. Now we're sitting at the tables where decisions are made. Our voices matter. Our leadership matters. During 2026 Women's History Month, we are proud to honor the legacy of Lena Swift, who served as S.S.S. President in 1897. Her leadership helped lay the foundation for the women who lead there today.”
— Jessica Bryson, Vice President of Finance, S.S.S. Company
What’s next
The S.S.S. Company plans to continue honoring the legacy of Lena Swift and other pioneering women in the company's history during the 2026 Women's History Month celebration.
The takeaway
Lena Swift's trailblazing leadership at the S.S.S. Company in the late 19th century serves as a powerful example of how women have long played crucial roles in shaping American business, even in the face of significant societal barriers. Her story underscores the importance of recognizing and celebrating the contributions of women throughout history.
