The Woman Who Broke the Trading Floor: Carol “Mickey” Norton

It always shocks me when we meet people that were the first of anything. First woman to do this, first black person to be acknowledged for that. It feels like we should be well past that but we aren’t. Carol ‘Mickey’ Norton was the first of many things. She won’t respond to Carol so from this point forward, she’s Mickey. 

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Our interview with Mickey this week was held after a short walk through Rate Field, where we settled in the Sox Clubhouse (for those of you whose knowledge of baseball matches mine, that’s the area where the athletes hang out before the game. Like a locker room). We were already freaking out about being in there, when this giant of industry walked through the door. 

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I held my hand out to shake hers and was instantly drawn to her two championship rings she was wearing; one for the Bulls, and one for the Sox. She threw on her brand new Sox jersey with the Chicago Mercantile Exchange logo on the right arm. There was a log of pride associated with that patch. This latest patch was just one in a long line of accomplishments. 

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Mickey was the first woman on the floor of the International Monetary Market, known today as CME group. She had been a stay at home mom and would spend some time at a golf course where she met some very successful people. Women didn’t know much about trading, that kind of info was saved for cigar rooms where women weren’t allowed. Mickey however, was a hard person to say no to. She made connections and worked her way onto that floor. 

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Just a bit of time later, in 1981 specifically, Mickey made her way into a second industry where women weren’t necessarily present. Throughout her childhood, she spent many evenings in Chicago going to sports games with her father, a huge sports fan. There was no specific preference, she knew about everything from baseball, to basketball, even hockey. When the time came that the White Sox were taking new investors, Mickey knew she needed to be a part of this team. 

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Her legacy in Chicago sports doesn’t stop at the White Sox. Soon after, she bought into the Bulls. This was an era to be an owner, she saw her team win championships, one after the other. As a fan of hockey, Mickey started the Team Illinois Hockey. This placed her into the Illinois Hall of Fame.

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I could go on and on about Mickey, but her stories are endless. To me she represents what Chicago is truly all about; a love of sports, tough people, and a fight to the top. We’re forever grateful that she spent the time with us and allowed us a glimpse into the icon she is. I’m sure you’re just as excited to learn more about her, and lucky for you, she’s got a book coming out; ‘Game Changers: My Life, My Way’.

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