Comments

Thanks for posting this Tom. As a boomer, entering prime time womenhood (46 in January),it does my heart good to hear about girls and young women who have that fire in the belly. Our youngest daughter is thirteen today and she has all of the qualities that Dan is speaking of.

She is intelligent, creative, quick on her feet (already) asks why a lot, is not content to stand for any pat answer, and wants to make a difference in the world. She already has, winning the YMCA's Youth Volunteer of the Year Award for our town at the age of twelve. She is part of their Youth in Government Program and when I told her that I could see her as a Senator or a Congresswomen she said, "No, Mom, Supreme Court Justice". To which I said well okay then. Go for it! Obviously we are very proud of her.

And not to leave the boys and young men by the wayside, our son is also amazing, the President of his Fraternity at 20 years old and already doing great things. He is studying Film and intends to do the kind of work that Spielberg has created.

There is hope for this planet and it is, as it has always been, up to us to support our youth to make it happen.

Thanks Tom for shining the light on us and our girls.

Nellie

Posted by Nellie Moore at October 12, 2006 4:30 PM

I'm conflicted about this conversation about "woman power" or "womenomics," but I do find it fascinating. On the one hand, I'm the first to label myself a feminist, even though it now seems old-fashioned. I've encountered a bit of sexism in my day, although surprisingly little. I'm all for ensuring that women have equal say at home, in business and in world events.

However, when I look at myself and my friends - all about 40-42 - I don't "see" the women that seem to be assumed in the discussions of womenomics. I own a small business (B2B products and services for a technical market). One friend owns and runs a hedge fund, another is (literally) a rocket scientist. There are two teachers, one CIO, a development officer, two professors, two stay-at-home moms, a CPA, and a marketing manager for a global retaile. Some of us have kids, some don't. Those with kids make it work - wonderfully (and none have nannies, although they all use day care).

Maybe this is a generational thing that is changing so quickly that those of us of a certain age - or younger - just don't have the same issues. (Although I would not want to assume that sexism is dead - not until there are more women as CEO's of Fortune 500 companies.) Or it could be a class thing (I definitly believe that classism affects more than we admit in this country). All of my friends and I were lucky enough to be able to go to either prestigous ivy-league type of schools or small, private colleges where (it seems to me) the idea that women are somehow second class just wasn't part of the equation.

In any case, I find this discussion very interesting, but somehow also somewhat distant from me and my real life. When I think how I would market my business to other women, I just don't see how I would do it any differently that I would market to men. I see our clients more as people than genders, I guess. And maybe that's what makes me different as a woman business owner, but I'm just too close to it to see it.

Posted by Tracy at October 13, 2006 9:09 AM

I'm a 30-something and I know that I, as well as many of my friends, did not worry about being able to 'cut it' or compete in the business world. We're all very smart, attractive, strong, independent women! But, we did struggle with the idea of "having it all". How do you have a successful career, find a man who is strong enough to handle a strong woman, and raise a family? I had a conversation with my mom not too long ago and it went something like this..."Mom, you could've at least mentioned the idea that I might one day want to be a wife and a mother, so I would've at least had that in my head as an option." Instead...all I heard was "get a college education, get a good job and don't depend on anybody but yourself." So, here I am single with a house full of four-legged children and a really great professional life! I think my generation was on the far end of the Women's Liberation Movement...Perhaps the pendulum is starting to swing the other way....hopefully we are raising our daughters to be strong, but also nurturing and teaching our boys the same. While we spend so much time studying equality in the workplace, what is happening in our homes? Sexes are coming together at work (often times inappropriately) which is one reason they are falling apart at home. Do we care?

Posted by Darci at October 13, 2006 10:45 AM

Darci, a man, especially a workaholic, shouldn't comment on your Comment. I will simply say. consider Brenda Barnes of Sara Lee, that we are beginning to see dropout Moms who return to the fast track a few, or even several, years later. I did say "beginning to see."

Posted by tom peters at October 14, 2006 8:20 AM

Darci, several women I know well would vote any day for the 4-legged pals over, say, former husband "helpmates."

Posted by tom peters at October 14, 2006 8:22 AM