She worked her way, step by step, up the corporate ladder from the time she started working at General Motors as age 18.  Now she has reached the top.

In the statement announcing her new role as CEO, GM credited Barra with “revitalizing GM’s product development process,” saying that her efforts resulted in higher product quality ratings and increased customer satisfaction.

“With an amazing portfolio of cars and trucks and the strongest financial performance in our recent history, this is an exciting time at today’s GM,” Barra said in a statement Tuesday morning. “I’m honored to lead the best team in the business and to keep our momentum at full speed.”   Mary Barra Named First woman CEO at General Motors