In the 1980s, a question was posed about women in business and why they hadn’t broken through the leadership role barrier and become managers, directors, and CEOs. It was bandied about that women were more emotional and couldn’t take the stress that managerial positions required. When that explanation fell flat, another response was that women took time off from their job to raise children and lost the advantage of career momentum that men gathered. Just like the first explanation, the second justification dropped dead in the water. When the third reason was presented as a defense for keeping women out of managerial roles, women began to fight back against the barrier that keeps them out of the leadership roles. What was the third excuse? The blatant untruth was presented that said women don’t want to be in charge.
Statistics
More women than ever before now hold positions of power, but it is still abysmally low at 5 percent of the Fortune 500 CEOs, 7 percent are executives of Fortune 100 companies, and a reported 10 percent of the S&P 1500 companies top management are women. The big questions have to be asked! Where are all the women in a country that has equal parts male and female working family members? Are men better educated? Is the ‘good ‘ole boy’ club still active? Is there a prejudice against the ‘weaker sex’?
Women
There are women fighting back against the unanswered questions posed so often of late. One of them is Heather Parry, a movie producer and director that won awards for the remake of A Star is Born. Creating a place for women in the industry, she has proven herself aptly able to lead the pack.
There are many other women leaders rising to the top in a world filled with excuses. You may not notice them at first, but like all good things, these amazing women will rise to the top and excel at what they do.
I did not realize how few women were in management positions. I am glad to hear that it is increasing, although there is a lot of room for improvement.