The Queen is King of Social Media – Part II – Be the Change

Another though provoking article.  As a women who spent the bulk of her career in the 80's and 90's in the corporate world, I can tell you first hand that my progress up the "ladder" had nothing to do with a pretty smile! I had the skills and I had to work ten times harder, longer and smarter than my male counterparts. I achieved a certain degree of success in mostly male dominated positions, but I can tell you that it was exhausting, stressful and exciting at the same time.  I had to fight and fight hard to prove that I was the better candidate over my male competition.  It didn't help that there were very few females applying for top level jobs. It sadens me to know that fast forward into 2012 and women are still fighting the same stero-typical mentality that I encountered 20 years ago.  I have to say from a personal perspective that I have been offered several speaking engagements at top level seminars and was even invited to travel to Asia to accept an award as an influencer in Social Media.  Thank you Tony for the honour of including me on your fan page tribute to Women in Social Media.  It was a tremendous tribute to some truly dynamic women.  You inspire me every day and your daughter is very lucky to have such a tremendous role model. Jackie :-)

The voice of women and moving to the next stage of solidarity and equality needs to be vamped up from women! If we expect men or other women to bring change on this topic, it will continue to do what it has done since that photo in 1975. I don't think of it as a "Struggle," I think of it as more fuel on the fire inside me to MAKE the difference then help the next person (note: this is where I almost type "help the next guy" and caught it...a patriarchal aware society even has the subconscious trained in unsuspecting ways). I like Michele's statement about BE the progress. What does that mean, exactly? Well, it starts with more women with a vision and awareness to push the envelope then shred it to pieces by passing it around to others. We can make the impact with our own business or family then share the tips, guides, or expectations with each other, to include the men. You want more women at conferences and don't see them on the list or very short list? Challenge it AND offer suggested women that fit the topics. Women not getting enough credit in the business niche? Rock your business and challenge the idea that men appear to dominate a field. Otherwise, its just fluff talk from all us moms or single, successful business women. I don't like that some people may be stuck in their applied behaviors, but the only way to change it is to call it out and show what "equal" looks like. Meanwhile, I'll be working on more my very own advice and following the examples of the likes of Michele and Gini ;)

If you ask me, (and you did,lol) I just don't know how it ended up this way, but today's 20 somethings and younger are living in some fantasy reality, (I like to call it the Age of Entitlement)  I've never understood something for nothing!

I think the passion is still there, but mainstream media is not interested in hearing the same passion. There agenda is linked to business interests.

Well, you already know how I feel about this so I'll share your post and hope others join the conversation.

Most of the women I know are proud of the progress they have nade and are striving for more progress. The do not feel as if they are a llowing themselves to be pushed around, or passed over for promotions. The only thing I hear any of them complain about is the fact that they still haven't reached equal pay status, but they haven't quit working on that aspect.

my girls...... Have a Super Tuesday!

Women rock, and I must say that without women, men wouldn't be as successful as they are. Yes, I'm biased, because we can motivate our men and give birth. That should give us more cred. Until then, I actually started another blog under a man's persona, and it is moving up quickly. Deception isn't a strategy, but it's a fun experiment for me.  P.S. Did you do a blog makeover? Looks awesome around here!

WOW yes, we have better signs, AND yet that has not helped women to rally a stronger voice of solidarity.  I honor every woman does not wants to be a business woman.  What I am curious about is why if a woman chooses not to be a business woman,  that action by any other women has to divide us. I fiercely support women who want to be mothers, when will those same women fiercely support those of us who want to be business women.  Giving us all a commited voice in knowing we have earned our right to be either or both. That is the core challenge for women being on the A-stage.  There is a sub-text that goes on in everyone's head they will not admit outloud and the default goes to men.  BTW I wonder how many men realize when they tell their daughter she can do or be anything, does he realizes he kept another man's daughter from doing what she dreamed when he chose not to pick the woman asking for the gig?  Gotta go now and inspire the next wave of speakers in #Speakchat. Thanks Tony for being willing to open this dialogue.