As these pressing issues are discussed, Mrs. Wever-Croes and Mrs. Ruiz-Maduro look across the boardroom table and, more often than not, see other women. Tourism accounts for up to 92 percent of Aruba’s GDP. The two organizations responsible for destination management and representation of travel industry interests (Aruba Tourism Authority and the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association) have women chief executive officers. The country’s director of Economic Development is a woman, as are the five sector heads reporting directly to her.

The Central Bank of Aruba has been under the leadership and direction of the economist Jane Figaroa-Semeleer since 2008.

Then there is the country’s first chief innovation officer, the minister plenipotentiary for Aruba (representing the government’s interests in the United States) as well as the country’s appointee to the state council in the Netherlands. The council is an advisory body in the Netherlands composed of members of the royal family and other members appointed by the crown — once again, roles occupied by women. The state council has significant legislative oversight and judicial authority.

Mrs. Wever-Croes’s path to career prominence is mirrored in those of her female peers. These are women who, immediately upon graduating from high school in the 1980s, went to university before entering the work force.

They proceeded to work hard, have children and get promoted. Not working did not appeal as an option for any of these women. “I wouldn’t know what to do with my life if I wasn’t working,” said Maria Diijkhoff-Pita, director of the Department of Economic Affairs, Commerce and Industry.

How have they achieved uninterrupted career progression, a goal that has eluded so many women? Part of the answer lies with the country’s former oil refinery. From its opening in 1928 until it closed in 1985, it was the country’s major private employer.

Automation of the refinery’s operations in 1956 ushered in a first wave of dislocation and reinvention for Aruba. Men left to work in other Caribbean countries, while the women stayed home. Many started home-based businesses to supplement family incomes, while others took positions in government or stepped into roles in the nascent tourism industry.