Even before The Wall Street Journal coined the term "glass ceiling" 20 years ago, researchers debated why women seldom reach the highest ranks in business. (Forbes.com)

"Although we weren't able to shatter that highest, hardest glass ceiling this time, it's got about 18 million cracks in it," Hillary Clinton told a huge rally of supporters at the National Building Museum in Washington. (smh.com.au)

The potential is there for women to achieve an equal footing with men, but the social mores and male attitudes make an effective barrier to women rising above a certain point; this tendency brings to mind a glass ceiling. (Feminism and Women's Studies)