Surely you can see that those lists doesn't answer the question. "Nineteenth century British geologist" isn't an innovation, and a woman contributing to a field does not mean that "diversity fuels innovation".
I'm sorry. I don't have a list of innovations that happened because an underprivileged person joined a profession and used their world view. I could say the rise in Facebook/casual gaming proves there was a market going untapped, but I'm not sure if that was done by a woman/casual gamer, so I'm hesitant to use it.
I was hoping it would be apparent that bringing in a different perspective would help a brand or profession appeal to a wider audience, but if you would like hard evidence this happens, I'm afraid I don't have the patience to research it. If that means my point is null-and-void, so be it.
I'd agree that bringing in a different perspective helps a brand or profession appeal to a wider audience. What's not apparent is that diversity fuels innovation. They're different statements.
I believe innovation is the next logical step to widening your appeal. You make new and interesting advances when the work you're doing is for a different type of person or project.
Medicine: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_medicine#Pioneering_wo...
Computing: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_Computing#Timeline_of_...
Engineering: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_engineering#Notable_wo...
Geology: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_geology#Female_geologi...
Hopefully it's apparent that having a fresh viewpoint on a problem or in a profession is valuable.