Biology Reference
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the essential qualities that people commonly associate with effective leadership.
As a result, they often create false perceptions that women leaders just don't mea-
sure up to men in important ways.
As I sat at the table, I realized that everyone had some form of stereotyping
that formed their opinion about a woman's ability to lead, particularly in a large
technical giant such as HP. The fact that another woman was sitting at the table
tearing down the “first female CEO of HP” is powerful fuel that can reinforce
any negative stereotypes about women's leadership abilities. That's why it was
so “bad.”
It was bad for all women because when this happened most of the people
at the table were not just hearing that “Carly is a bad CEO” but “Carly, the
woman, is a bad CEO.” Although women today comprise an increasing propor-
tion of science and engineering majors and middle managers within organiza-
tions, there is still a very low percentage of women in the senior level jobs or
“C” level jobs (e.g., Chief Technology Officer, Chief Executive Officer). This
is particularly true for CEO positions within Fortune 500 companies. In 2011,
the percentage of female CEOs in Fortune 500 companies was a mere 2.4%. So
we don't have the “luxury” of being classified just as a bad manager, leader, or
CEO. We are most likely classified as “bad female manager leader, or CEO.” As
a result, this can and has inhibited opportunities for other women as they seek
the positions.
Additionally, working women need to work together to see changes occur
and gain the power to lead. While men have been helpful in some cases when it
comes to supporting changes that benefit women, these efforts must be led by
a collective group of women. Consider the meeting in 1848, where a group of
abolitionist activists were invited by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott
to Seneca Falls, New York, to discuss the problem of women's rights, or the
lack of rights. This group of delegates consisted of a collection of determined
women and a few men. Most of the delegates agreed: American women were
autonomous individuals who deserved their own political identities and power.
It was evident it would not be “given” to them and this movement was designed
to create a force or collective group that would take this power. Examples that
prove the value of women working together and standing up for each other and
change range from the historic suffragette movement to the Lilly Ledbetter Fair
Pay Restoration Act signed in 2009 by President Obama. When we support each
other and work together it matters.
No More Cheerleader Mentality
Becoming a cheerleader meant I had to smile broadly, be likeable, yell loudly,
and make sure the judges knew I was “better” than at least 60 other girls vying
for the 10 spots on the Hayfield High School Freshmen Cheerleading Squad.
Since I had recently moved to the area, I had to quickly adapt to the “cool
girls” mindset in this Virginia community. There was no such thing as a “team”
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