The role of women and minorities in the twenty-first century American work place continues to develop.

For centuries, women have served their families—preparing food, making clothes, and performing other functions—to make homes for their husbands and children. As times changed and economic opportunities moved from the farms to the factories, the roles of women began to evolve. Instead of staying home and producing goods for the family, women began looking for jobs outside the home. While many women worked in traditionally "female" occupations such as teaching and nursing, many women began working in factories or low-paying clerical and labor jobs. The industrial revolution forever changed the way the American economy operated, and with that change, more women chose to work and supplement family income.

Additionally, the demographic mix within the twenty-first century workplace has become much more diverse...