Trailblazing Women Who Revolutionized the Oil Industry: Their Lives Are Movie-Worthy

Oil has been described as the “lifeblood of the economy” and the “light of a new era,” as well as “black gold” and the “untiring fire.” These vivid metaphors emerged soon after the industrial extraction of oil began, an industry predominantly led by men. Women, often perceived as too delicate for such endeavors, have actually played pivotal roles in the history of oil. This article highlights the stories of renowned journalists, company owners, and workers who have significantly impacted the oil business.

The First Ink Barrel

Our first heroine is Ida Minerva Tarbell, a formidable figure in the world of journalism, often referred to as a “shark of the pen.” She was not only tall and authoritative but also the chief editor of McClure’s Magazine, owned by Samuel McClure, a visionary and eccentric. McClure was a visionary because he gathered the most talented authors and editors to cover contemporary and engaging topics. He was also known for his quirks, such as collecting over a thousand neckties during his travels and believing that a magazine aiming to expose the truth with “fried facts” should have a large circulation. McClure’s met this criterion.

Ida Tarbell was the perfect fit to lead such a magazine. It was uncommon for women to head oil businesses, but Ida dared to reveal the “fried facts” about the Standard Oil Company, exposing its hidden truths and history of manipulations. Remarkably, the company itself, through one of its experienced directors, provided her with documents, figures, explanations, and even a workspace on Broadway.

Why did this happen? The director, confident in Ida’s determination, believed that her account would be accurate and conclusive. He was a “born gambler,” but his actions were driven by a sense of fairness rather than deceit. Some speculated that his cooperation was due to a feud with Rockefeller, but this was a superficial view. His impartiality and Ida’s objectivity made her the most famous woman in America at the time, proving that women could influence even the most serious industries like oil.

Ida’s Impact

Ida Tarbell wrote about John D. Rockefeller’s Standard Oil Company, the first and most powerful oil company in the country, known for its ruthless competition and market dominance. She portrayed Rockefeller objectively, highlighting both his philanthropy and his unscrupulous business practices. Her assistant described Rockefeller as “the strangest, most silent, most mysterious, and most interesting figure in America.”

Ida’s articles exposed Standard Oil’s manipulations, tax evasions, and political influences, leading to significant political reforms and the regulation of big business. Her work was published over two years and later compiled into a book, which became the most detailed and influential account of the American oil industry.

What enabled Ida to achieve what no man could? Her familiarity with the oil industry from a young age. Her father, Frank Tarbell, fought for the independence of oil producers, and her brother, William Tarbell, was also involved in the industry. Despite warnings, Ida persevered, proving her mettle against formidable opponents like Rockefeller, who later nicknamed her “Miss Tar Barrel.”

The Matchmaker of OPEC

Wanda Jablonski, an elegant blonde, was a correspondent for Petroleum Week and later the editor of Petroleum Intelligence Weekly. She was the most influential journalist of her time, in the mid-20th century. Like Ida Tarbell, Wanda was single and resolute. Born in Czechoslovakia to a botanist-turned-geologist, she traveled extensively, studying in England, Germany, Austria, Morocco, Egypt, New Zealand, Texas, Cairo, and Jerusalem. She honed her skills at Cornell University, which later became part of the Ivy League.

In 1956, at the age of 46, Wanda embarked on a journalistic tour of the Middle East, interviewing the King of Saudi Arabia and spending an evening in his harem. She described it as a “merry hen party,” where she drank tea. However, her most significant achievement was meeting Abdullah Tariki, a man passionate about oil.

Wanda saw a kindred spirit in Tariki, who dreamed of controlling oil prices and production. She introduced him to Perez Alfonso, a Venezuelan politician known for his integrity. This introduction led to the formation of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), a “gentleman’s agreement” that transformed the oil industry.

For further reading on the history of the oil industry and the impact of these remarkable women, visit the U.S. Energy Information Administration.