About the Women's Leadership InitiativeDespite enormous progress over the past several decades in this country, as well as the historic nomination of a woman presidential and vice-presidential candidate in the 2008 election, the facts are clear: American women are the majority of voters, make 80 percent of consumer decisions, and comprise the majority of graduates of colleges, professional and graduate programs, and the driving force of entrepreneurship. And yet the wage gap persists, only a handful of women are on corporate boards or in corner offices--no matter the field or profession, women business owners still face unnecessary obstacles, Congress is only 16 percent women, and quality affordable and accessible childcare--concerns that most affect mothers--are still only a dream for most. A deeper conversation must enter the public debate about women's extremely poor numbers in top leadership positions compared to the rest of the world -whether access to the top is still not readily available to women, and what realities exist that force women to choose not to lead or constrain their options as leaders. The Women's Leadership Initiative, a multi-year project of Demos led by Distinguished Senior Fellow Linda Tarr-Whelan (WLI), provides a platform for this conversation and a vehicle for entrance into the public debate. The WLI will open this space in the public debate through a series of public events, a new book by Linda Tarr-Whelan, reports and a media campaign. |
News and Commentary
Linda Tarr-Whelan, author of Women Lead the Way, talks about the problem of gender inequality in leadership positions in government and business. Ms. Tarr-Whelan argues that within organizations full gender equality becomes possible as soon as women make up 30% of the leadership. She spoke about the topic at the Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, DC. with Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), and the State Department's Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues, Melanie Verveer.
Entrepreneur and author Linda Tarr-Whelan shares some startling facts about women in business and in public life. She dispels that myths that hold women back and provides real world advice for building women's confidence and skills. She shares ideas for building a collaborative leadership model for women base on communication and cooperation.
With the historic campaigns of women in the 2008 national election, the temptation is to crow, in the words of the old cigarette ad, "You've come a long way, baby." After all, American women are the majority of voters; they're said to drive 80 percent of consumer buying decisions; they're the majority of graduates of colleges, professional and graduate programs; and they are considered the driving force of American entrepreneurship. Yet, disparities continue as wage gaps persist; and only a handful of women are on corporate boards or in top leadership slots in the Fortune 500.
New York, NY--The release of Maria Shriver's report, "A Woman's Nation Changes Everything," highlights the critical changes brought on by women's presence as 50% of our nation's workforce. Yet, even as women have achieved parity in terms of employment rates, they still make up only 10% of corporate boards and 17% of Congress. With a critical mass of women missing from the power tables, our workforce is still far from equal.
Hillary Rodham Clinton finds herself today in a unique position to affect political and social change for the status of women worldwide. Yet, while she leads, there are a number of lessons she and her American counterparts may take from many countries that are leagues ahead of the United States when it comes to gender parity.
I wish you had been there to join us in an exciting exploration of a new way to look at the advancement and empowerment of women. The Demos Women’s Leadership Initiative Forum series sponsored our 10th event, “Gender Equality as an Investment Concept” to look at how and why it is smart business to invest in women as a means to increase performance, profitability and sustainability.
President-elect Obama has now moved swiftly to name talented and creative people to Cabinet-level offices and the key members of the White House team. But a nagging thought keeps coming back to me: Why isn't he naming more women to bring our experience, creativity and energy to address the problems that face us? Until only recently it looked like Obama's Cabinet-level composition held only three women. But the announcement that Gov. Bill Richardson will not be taking the Commerce Secretary slot leaves an open position to fill, and one more chance for diversity. |
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