General Motors' appointment of Mary Barra as the first female CEO of a global automotive company in December instantly ignited discussion about the role of women in the male-dominated boardrooms of the automotive industry.

While high-level female automotive executives have been a rare breed, Barra's rise through GM from a summer internship to the top of the C-suite has inspired female fleet executives, who say she's earned her seat at the table.

"Most women in fleet are doing the same thing," said Rachel Johnson, fleet specialist for Konecranes. "They are earning their place and businesses are finally realizing women have much to offer. If they are dedicated and excel within the company, there's no reason a woman shouldn't be given the same opportunities as men for advancement."

Barra started working for GM in1980 as a co-op student. She held various engineering and administrative positions, and was eventually named manager of the Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly plant.

Barra studied electrical engineering at the General Motors Institute (now Kettering University), where she earned a bachelor of science degree. She attended the Stanford Graduate School of Business on a GM fellowship, and earned a master's in business administration in 1990.

In February 2008, she became vice president of global manufacturing engineering. Almost 18 months later, GM elevated her to vice president of global human resources. In February 2011, she became executive vice president of global product development, where she worked to trim the number of GM automobile platforms. In August, she added responsibility for global purchasing and supply chain to her responsibilities.

On Dec. 10, 2013, Barra was named CEO, replacing Dan Akerson, and joined the GM Board of Directors. Barra stepped into her new role in January, and will work closely with Theodore "Tim" Solso, the former chairman and CEO of Cummins, Inc., who was named GM chairman.

Barra's appointment to CEO is "a huge milestone," said Helene Kamon, a former AmeriFleet vice president, member of the AF Fleet Hall of Fame, and a trailblazer herself as the first female president of the Automotive Fleet & Leasing Association (AFLA).

Kamon first worked in the automotive business in 1970 at a time when it was "an old boys club." In 1980, she was named fleet director for Wendy's International. "I am very happy I lived to see this. I'm just delighted. It opens a lot of possibilities," she said.

Female CEOs remain a rarity among Fortune 500 companies. Only 23 (4.6 percent) are now led by a female. For this reason, Barra's appointment is "a huge step in women breaking through the glass ceiling," said Donna Bibbo, fleet and employee services manager at Novo Nordisk.

"I think her ascendency will be applauded, but also watched very carefully," Bibbo said. "It is important that she succeed, and I certainly expect that she will, while bringing new ideas from the female perspective to the industry."

Several female fleet managers credited Barra as a role model for them. "It is inspiring to have a female role model in the industry that has reached that level of success," said Debbie Struna, Rite Aid's fleet manager.

Theresa Belding, director of fleet services for Forest Pharmaceuticals, said she'd like to hear from Barra firsthand perhaps at an upcoming AFLA conference or at a meeting of AFLA's Women in Fleet Management group.

"This is very exciting," Belding said. "It's very inspiring and encouraging to me as a woman in this industry."

Other female fleet managers downplayed Barra's gender role as GM's new CEO. Gail Watson, fleet and parking services manager at insurer Nationwide, said it was her last thought when hearing about Barra's appointment.

"I'm not sure there's a point to drawing the gender line," Watson said. "Mary's background speaks for itself."

Barra was likely chosen because she is "the right person in the right job at the right time," said Elsie Lucia, Estee Lauder's fleet services director and a former AFLA president. "Being the first female [CEO] in the global car business is a milestone, but she is smart and has worked in many areas of the company, which will be to her advantage. I'm sure she will bring a different perspective to the office of CEO — not a bad thing."