Margaret Hillis: Unsung Pioneer

Conductor, chorus director, airplane pilot, and educator Margaret Hillis blazed a trail upon which many continue to tread. The first woman to regularly conduct a major symphony orchestra, she was the founder of the Chicago Symphony Chorus and served for 37 years as its first director, winning nine Grammy Awards. But as compelling as what she achieved is how she deftly circumvented the constant barriers in fields where women were not welcome. The author, a longtime colleague and associate, examines how Hillis was able to overcome the many challenges she faced, navigating a career in ways relatable not only to musicians but also to women in all professions. Her journey is an inspiration, a portrait of what it takes to succeed at the highest level in any field.