Anna Sutherland Bissell
Encyclopedia
Anna Sutherland Bissell was president and later chair of the board of the Bissell Corporation.
, the daughter of a sea captain. At an early age her family moved to Michigan were they settled.Years later at 19 she married Melville R. Bissell and became a joint partner in their crockery and china business. The Bissell Sweeper website recounts that Mrs. Bissell complained to her husband about sawdust that collected in their carpets and was difficult to remove, whereupon he invented the carpet sweeper
. When he invented the carpet sweeper in 1876, Anna Bissell became a salesperson traveling from town to town selling the sweeper for $1.50.
of the company. She established new guidelines on trademarks and patents and moved Bissell carpet sweepers into the international market. By 1899 she had created the largest organization of its kind in the world. As president of the corporation and chairman of the board, Bissell introduced progressive labor policies including workman’s compensation and pension
plans long before these practices were widespread in industry.
It was said of her that she “Studied business the way other women of her time studied French.” She kept pace with the growing complexities of industrialism and knew every facet of the Bissell production.
Bissell was a generous philanthropist. She was the first woman trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was actively involved in Bissell House, a recreation and training program for Grand Rapids, Michigan
youth and immigrant women. She also served on the board of what was to become Blodgett Home for Children.
Early years
She was born in River John, Nova ScotiaRiver John, Nova Scotia
River John is a Canadian village in Pictou County, Nova Scotia.It is located near the mouth of the River John on the Northumberland Strait, half way between Pictou and Tatamagouche near the boundary with Colchester County...
, the daughter of a sea captain. At an early age her family moved to Michigan were they settled.Years later at 19 she married Melville R. Bissell and became a joint partner in their crockery and china business. The Bissell Sweeper website recounts that Mrs. Bissell complained to her husband about sawdust that collected in their carpets and was difficult to remove, whereupon he invented the carpet sweeper
Carpet sweeper
A carpet sweeper is a mechanical device for the cleaning of carpets. These were popular before the introduction of the vacuum cleaner and have been largely superseded by them....
. When he invented the carpet sweeper in 1876, Anna Bissell became a salesperson traveling from town to town selling the sweeper for $1.50.
CEO
After her husband’s death in 1889, Bissell became chief executive officerChief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of the company. She established new guidelines on trademarks and patents and moved Bissell carpet sweepers into the international market. By 1899 she had created the largest organization of its kind in the world. As president of the corporation and chairman of the board, Bissell introduced progressive labor policies including workman’s compensation and pension
Pension
In general, a pension is an arrangement to provide people with an income when they are no longer earning a regular income from employment. Pensions should not be confused with severance pay; the former is paid in regular installments, while the latter is paid in one lump sum.The terms retirement...
plans long before these practices were widespread in industry.
It was said of her that she “Studied business the way other women of her time studied French.” She kept pace with the growing complexities of industrialism and knew every facet of the Bissell production.
Philanthropist
She was a charter member of the Ladies Literary Club, a life member of the Women’s City Club and an active member of Zonta. She was also one of the best singers, most people did not know this but during lunch breaks she would often perform for her peers. She served on the board of The Clark Memorial Home, and was for years the sole woman member of the National Hardware Men’s Association.Bissell was a generous philanthropist. She was the first woman trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was actively involved in Bissell House, a recreation and training program for Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
youth and immigrant women. She also served on the board of what was to become Blodgett Home for Children.
External links
- Anna Sutherland Bissell, Greater Grand Rapids History Council