Benham began her Wall Street career at the Reconstruction Finance Corporation on January 15, 1932.
On January 15, 1932, during the height of the Great Depression, Isabel Benham began her Wall Street career at the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. This initial position was in a critical period of U.S. history, dealing with economic recovery efforts. Her involvement during such a pivotal time provided her with invaluable experience and exposure to the complexities of financial markets. This role served as the fountainhead of her lengthy and transformative career in railroad finance, where she would eventually challenge gender norms and pave the way for future generations of women in finance.