Swift Printing Celebrating Women's History Month and B Corp Month
March is an exciting month at Swift Printing Co., as it marks the celebration of both Women’s History Month and B Corp Month. With the added bonus of being my birthday month and the frenzy of March Madness, it couldn't be a better time of the year! In this blog post we’ll cover.
Notable women in printing history.
Swift Printing’s female family members over the years.
What is a B Corp?
Why Swift Printing Became a B Corp.
Tips for becoming a B Corp.
Notable Women in Printing History
Women have made significant contributions to the printing industry throughout history, playing vital roles in various aspects of printing, publishing, and graphic design. In no particular order here are some examples:
Katherine Graham: As the publisher of The Washington Post, Katherine Graham played a pivotal role in shaping journalism and the media landscape in the United States. Under her leadership, The Washington Post became known for its investigative reporting, including the coverage of the Watergate scandal.
Jane Friedman: Jane Friedman is a prominent figure in the publishing industry, known for her role as the CEO of HarperCollins Publishers. Throughout her career, Friedman has been a trailblazer in digital publishing and has championed innovative approaches to book publishing and distribution.
Esther K. Smith: Esther K. Smith is a book artist and letterpress printer known for her innovative and creative approach to book design. She has authored several books on bookbinding and printing techniques and has taught workshops on letterpress printing and book arts.
Beatrice Warde: Beatrice Warde was a typographer and historian known for her influential essay "The Crystal Goblet," in which she argued for clarity and simplicity in typography. Warde's insights continue to influence graphic designers and typographers today.
Anna Atkins: Anna Atkins is considered one of the first female photographers and is best known for her work in cyanotype printing. She produced the first book illustrated with photographs, "Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions," using cyanotype printing techniques to create detailed botanical images.
Louise Fili: Louise Fili is a graphic designer and typographer known for her elegant and sophisticated book covers and branding designs. She has received numerous awards for her work and has had a significant impact on contemporary graphic design.
These are just a few examples of the many women who have made their mark on the printing industry throughout history. Their contributions have helped shape the field and continue to inspire future generations of printers, publishers, and designers.
Women’s History in Printing
I’ve never experienced someone putting me down in the printing industry, but I have heard stories from other women in the Girls Who Print Group. Some of the stories just kind of make your jaw drop on why someone would say something like that. I’m so grateful for the women who went before me to break into the printing industry. I am the first true “woman leader” in three generations, and I’m not alone. I see lots of family businesses now with women taking the lead (if they want to).
I recently discovered this Craftsman Club Newspaper Article, and look at how they made the women's photos smaller. One could argue that it was for the design.
Women’s History at Swift Printing
Huge thanks to WOODTV for sharing a slice of our West Michigan Printing History.
In the first generation, Lorraine Mary Gutowski, the wife of our founder Walt Gutowski Sr., played a pivotal role in the company's early days. Lorraine was a remarkable woman who grew up during the Great Depression and exuded generosity and resilience. She worked at a dime store in her youth and went to California to marry Walt before he returned from deployment because she just couldn’t wait any longer. Together, they raised seven children, six of whom are strong, independent women. Maryann, Diane, Phyllis, Tricia, Susan & Anne.
Lorraine was known for her keen eye for quality, always ensuring that Swift had the best products. She also meticulously managed the company's finances by hand, even after the transition to digital systems. (Just incase computers were a fad.)
I believe all the G2 Gutowski ladies worked at the print shop at some point in their youth.
Walt 3 and I recently were working on an order after hours and my aunt Tricia texted me to see if I was going to attend an event that evening. I said maybe once my work is done and sent her a photo of what still needed to get done. She messaged me that brought back fond memories of her dad saying, “can’t leave until the job was done.” (I’m sure at the time, it might not have been the words you wanted your dad to say when you wanted to go see friends.)
Generation Two at Swift Printing
In the second generation, Walt Gutowski Jr. took over the family business, expanding Swift’s printing product options to local West Michigan Businesses, with his wife Amy Gutowski managing the household affairs to support his dedication to the company. Amy's warmth and kindness have been integral to Swift Printing, and her culinary talents have kept the team well-fed and spirits high. She also over sees the accounting.
Walt Jrs. sister Phyllis, or AKA P.J. for Phyllis Jean worked in the print shop in the early 2000s.
Generation Three at Swift Printing
I have stepped into a leadership role, continuing the family legacy. From spending snow days at the office with dad as a kid to taking the helm of the company last year. I have always been involved in the business in some capacity. I have two other sisters Sam Randall & Tori Merget. Who both worked at the shop in their youth. Sam is now a Mindfulness Coach and Tori is a Stay At Home Mom. Walt III my bother and I both run the shop today.
The Future Women at Swift Printing
Well, I have three boys, but Walt doesn’t have any kids yet. Who knows though, if the next generation will want to continue the fun. My parents never put any pressure to join the business after college, and I do believe that’s the best way - let your kids follow their own passions, and if it happens to be at Swift Printing, well, that would just be great too.
Celebrating B Corp Certification:
Swift Printing has been a certified B Corp since 2017, a decision driven by our commitment to community and environmental stewardship. Inspired by Local First, we led the company through the rigorous certification process, recognizing it as an opportunity to align our business practices with our values. Being a B Corp means prioritizing people, community, and the environment in every decision, and it serves as a constant reminder to strive for continuous improvement.
B Corp More in Depth
Being a B Corp means more than just conducting business; it's a commitment to a higher standard of social and environmental responsibility. B Corp certification is awarded to companies that meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Here's what it means in practice:
Social Impact: B Corps prioritize the well-being of their employees, customers, suppliers, and communities. They strive to create a positive impact on society by considering the needs of all stakeholders, not just shareholders.
Environmental Stewardship: B Corps minimize their environmental footprint by adopting sustainable practices, reducing waste, and promoting renewable energy. They prioritize eco-friendly solutions and seek to mitigate their impact on the planet.
Transparency: B Corps are committed to transparency in their operations. They openly disclose information about their social and environmental performance, allowing stakeholders to hold them accountable for their actions.
Legal Accountability: B Corps legally commit (in some states) to considering the impact of their decisions on all stakeholders, not just shareholders. This commitment is enshrined in their corporate governance structure and ensures that their mission remains central to their business operations.
Continuous Improvement: B Corps are dedicated to continuous improvement. They regularly assess their social and environmental performance, set ambitious goals for improvement, and strive to make meaningful progress over time.
Swift Printing’s Tips for Becoming a B Corp:
Follow Your Heart: Pursue B Corp certification from a genuine desire to make a positive impact, rather than for marketing or business opportunities.
Budget Time: Understand that achieving B Corp certification requires a significant time investment in tracking and recording data.
Set Up Systems: Establishing robust systems from the beginning will streamline the recertification process in the future.
Ask an Expert: Connect with other B’s in the area and find out what worked best for them and if they could do it all over again what would they do differently.
Be Humble: B Corps are not trying to say, "Hey, we’re better than other companies." But in a world where it’s hard to know if you can trust a company, B Corps have third-party accreditation to back what is says.
In Conclusion:
March holds special significance for Swift Printing, honoring the contributions of women past and present and reaffirming their commitment to social and environmental responsibility through B Corp certification. As we celebrate Women’s History Month and B Corp Month, let us all remember that every individual is worthy, enough, and capable of making a difference in the world.
Thank you to all the women and men who have paved the way, to B Corp for inspiring us to do better, and to everyone celebrating this month—remember, you are awesome just as you are!
Jes
P.S. Go Green!
