For years, men dominated the tempo and tenor of the financial industry. As the nation digs itself out of a monstrosity of debt, three women have been entrusted to help turn the tide in a positive direction.
The qualifications of the New Sheriffs of Wall Street match up with their job responsibilities. Sheila Bair — chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation — was one of the first faces to bring public outcry to the financial crisis. Mary Schapiro — Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission — logged the deciding vote to initiate her agency’s 2010 lawsuit against Goldman Sachs. Elizabeth Warren — chief advocate of the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — was influential in pioneering tighter restrictions on banks.
(See six problems the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau should tackle first.)
More than 7,000 voters put their support behind the financial trio for TIME’s 2010 Person of the Year award. The editors’ choice will be unveiled at the top of The Today Show on Wednesday.
