I. Patricia Henry
I. Patricia Henry | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 20, 1947 Martinsville, Virginia, U.S. |
| Occupation | Brewing industry executive |
| Years active | 1977–2000s |
| Known for | First African American woman senior manager at Miller Brewing Company; first female brewmaster at Miller Brewing Company; first African American woman plant manager at a U.S. beer brewery |
I. Patricia Henry (born August 20, 1947) holds the distinction of being the first African American woman to occupy a senior management position within a major American brewery (Miller Brewing Company, presently MillerCoors, located in Eden, NC). In 1990, she broke new ground as the first female brewmaster responsible for the full brewing operations at the Eden facility. By 1995, she had become the first African American woman to assume the role of plant manager at any U.S. beer brewery.
Early life
Henry was born in Martinsville, Virginia, and grew up in Reidsville, North Carolina. After completing high school in 1965, she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Bennett College in 1969. She further enhanced her expertise through studies at the Siebel Institute of Brewing Technology and Harvard University.
Career
Her professional journey started as a systems analyst working for organizations such as General Electric Company, Norfolk and Western Railway, and Ethyl Corporation. In 1977, Henry made history by joining Miller Brewing Company as the first African American woman brewmaster at a leading U.S. brewery. She progressed through various positions including brewing supervisor, superintendent, unit manager, and production services manager.
In 1995, Henry was appointed plant manager of Miller’s Eden brewery, where she managed a workforce of 878 employees and oversaw an annual output ranging between 8 and 9 million barrels. During her tenure, she spearheaded major technological advancements and automation projects amid significant industry changes. At the time of her retirement, she held the position of Director of Strategic Projects.
Henry has stated that neither her race nor gender hindered her career advancement, highlighting Miller’s commitment to diversity with four out of seven breweries managed by African Americans and three by women as of 2002.
Following her retirement, Henry joined the corporate board of BB&T in 2013.
Accolades
Her achievements have been highlighted in publications such as Jet and Ebony, and she was honored by Dollars and Sense as one of the "Top 100 Black Business and Professional Women."
Personal life
Henry is a divorced mother to two children named Hans and Tiffany.