Ford and GM Remove 'Man' from 'Chairman' to Eliminate Gender Distinction

Bill Ford, Chairman of the Board (Photo by CNBC)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] Male-dominated American automakers have changed the title of the board chair from the traditional 'Chairman' to the gender-neutral term 'Chair,' CNBC reported on the 12th (local time).

Ford's board announced last week that it revised its internal regulations to adopt gender-neutral terminology. Accordingly, the word 'man' will be removed from the title of Ford Board Chair Bill Ford.

A Ford spokesperson said, "This change will help foster the inclusive and fair culture we are creating."

Earlier in May, GM became the first American automaker to change the title of its female board chair, Mary Barra, to 'Chair.' A GM spokesperson explained in an email statement, "This is one of many changes in our journey to become the most inclusive company in the world."

GM stated that this change was made in the titles introduced on the company website without altering internal regulations.

Regarding this, CNBC evaluated, "Such gender-neutral terminology is a significant advancement in the historically male-led U.S. automotive industry."

It also explained that this change came after companies pledged efforts toward inclusion and diversity following the #MeToo movement against sexual violence and the death of Black man George Floyd at the hands of white police officers.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.