They (women) are less likely than men to be willing to endure the rigors of a political campaign. They are less likely than men to be recruited to run for office. They are less likely than men to have the freedom to reconcile work and family obligations with a political career. They are less likely than men to think they are ‘qualified’ to run for office.
It is likely that similar circumstances explain at least some of the under-representation of women in top positions in other professions as well.
Other factors come into play, too. Consider, for example, the disappointing recent findings in studies of women on boards of directors -- a topic close to our EWNJ hearts. Despite evidence that the minority of boards with what is seen as a “critical mass” of three or more women tend to perform more effectively, and to correlate with a stronger bottom line for their companies, annual data continue to show near stagnation in women’s representation on corporate boards. Catalyst’s report from 2008 noted that at rates then current, it would take nearly three quarters of a century for women to equal men on the boards of Fortune 500 companies. Researchers suggest that the tendency of most of us to select people “like ourselves” is operative here, and companies continue to overlook qualified women.
In her recent email, however, my friend expressed excitement about a new nationwide venture to address the overall scarcity of women in the highest leadership roles. Called Vision 2020, the initiative will gather representatives from all fifty states at a “constitutional convention” in Philadelphia this coming October. The group’s mission will be to produce a blueprint to hasten the movement of women into vital leadership roles nationwide. As my friend put it, “I really think that momentum is building on multiple fronts to change the complexion of leadership in this country in our lifetimes.”
I think she is right. Reading her account reminded me that Executive Women of New Jersey -- our distinctive, perhaps even unique, multi-sector, thirty-year-old statewide organization of terrific women leaders -- contains a precious combination of powerful talent in a whole range of formerly “all-male” professions. You EWNJ women, in short, have a wealth of cumulative experience to share on the critical leadership questions before us right now. These include:
· What, in your opinion, will it take to accelerate the snail-like pace of women moving into top leadership in fields such as government, corporate management, sports, academia, and more?
· Do you think that a shift to a position of parity with men in high leadership positions will be achieved in our lifetimes, or within this new century? Why or why not?
· Will such a shift, in your view, require a revived women’s movement, or perhaps an altogether new kind of social movement? Or is such a shift likely to occur on its own and without organized pressure or intervention?
· What differences -- positive, negative, or both -- do you think equality in top leadership positions will or could make for women, as well as for society as a whole?
Idea number one: Here is a perfect occasion for a rich and meaningful interchange on any or all of these topics on our new EWNJ site on Linked-In. For those of you who have not yet joined the site, here is all you need to do to share your views now with other members. Feel free in sharing your views to consult with and share the views of friends, co-workers, and significant others as well.
Idea number two. The planners of Vision 2020 recently announced an extension until March 1 (which is coming up fast!) of nominations for representatives to the big convention in Philadelphia next October. They are inviting people to sign up right now as both nominators and nominees. For more information, check out the website at: http://www.drexel.edu/vision2020/community/vision/delegates/nominations/
I have already signed myself up as a nominator, and am inviting as many members of EWNJ who are interested to nominate yourselves and share a copy of your nomination with me, and I will be delighted to recommend you as a delegate. You members of EWNJ can, of course, also nominate others you think would be great delegates at the Vision 2020 convention.
We already know that women’s presence in top leadership matters, not just in fulfilling our democratic ideals of fairness and inclusiveness, but in ensuring the representation of the views, ideas, and solutions of half the population. This is, after all, about taking our obligations seriously, as privileged women leaders, to do our part to help fulfill the American dream.
As we enter our thirtieth anniversary year as Executive Women of New Jersey, with its vital mission to “promote the advancement of women to the highest levels of business, the professions, and government,” it is impossible to dismiss the progress we have already seen “in our lifetimes,” but it is also imperative to think about how exciting it could be if we decided to take ever more ways, individual and collective, to make our visions and our leadership ever more visible.
