Mega Financial Firm's Strong Diversity Message: If you don't get more women on boards we'll vote against existing directors.

• Position: BOARDBOOK

Following through on the promise made with the installation of "The Fearless Girl" statue earlier this year, State Street Global Advisors (SSGA) sent a strong message to companies with little gender diversity.

The investment powerhouse voted against the reelection of members of board committees tasked with recruiting new board members at 400 companies in the United States and beyond.

The Fearless Girl, a bronze statue of a girl facing the iconic Wall Street bull in the heart of Manhattan's financial district, was erected earlier this year by SSGA as a call to action for getting more women on corporate boards.

While the girl has gotten international attention, SSGA's move last week to vote down certain directors, "made it...