by Madeline Bell | Jul 21, 2016 | Trailblazers, Women in the Workplace
[Photo: kcesledd]
Philadelphia, a place of many firsts, will provide the backdrop for yet another important milestone – the first Presidential nomination of a woman by a major party. At a time when women still experience pay disparity and serious lack of representation at the CEO and Board levels, this event supersedes politics – it’s an historic time.
England has a new Prime Minister, Theresa May, and German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, is noted as not just one of the most powerful women in the world, but one of the most powerful people. These strides give me hope.
Having a female Presidential nominee brings to light important conversations. Though there have been legitimate concerns raised against Clinton’s candidacy, there have also been arguments that carry notes of the lasting sexism in our society. What I believe her candidacy has done, in part, is allowed our country to become more conscious of how we view female leaders, what qualities we praise in them and those that we criticize. Are they different than how we assess and measure male candidates? We now have a national stage for which to examine these issues.
Hillary Clinton herself has noted that she is not the most traditionally charismatic candidate, but is that because she is a woman? She is often criticized for being out of touch, overly strategic in her presentation, and inauthentic. I can’t help but wonder, how much of this criticism is due to ingrained expectations for how women “should” be, while Clinton simply embodies what many male candidates have before her – political savviness and leadership. Regardless of one’s political leanings, it’s important that we take a hard look at how we react to a woman who rises to the level of a Presidential nominee. What message are we sending young women through the tone of how she is judged and measured as a candidate? We must make sure it’s equal, fair and comparable to how we assess the male Presidential candidates.
Will the nomination of Hillary Clinton continue to help girls born today see leadership as a possibility without question? Let’s hope that it will. I look forward to participating in many of the exciting events taking place in Philadelphia during the DNC next week, and to sharing my reflections with all of you. What questions has this election raised for you about women’s roles in politics and leadership in general? Are you feeling optimistic or concerned? I would love to hear your thoughts.
by Amy Hou | May 24, 2016 | Trailblazers, Women in the Workplace
As a woman CEO, I am fortunate to meet women who are true trailblazers in paving the way for women leaders.
I was reminded of that recently during a tea I had with Madeleine Albright. As the first woman to enter the Situation Room as Secretary of State, Albright had to navigate not only being the only woman in the room but being the first woman in the room with generals and other men in positions of great power.
During our tea, she told me stories of creating a rule with fellow women ambassadors, which was a very small club of people then as it is now. She said that they agreed to always return each other’s phone calls. When asked by a male ambassador, “Why don’t you return my calls?” she replied, “I will as soon as you replace yourself with a woman.”
Her point was not that she discriminated. She simply made a connection with a group of powerful women very much in the minority, and they agreed to support each other in a world where they did not get the same level of support as their male counterparts. She went on to tell stories about her first meeting and subsequent long term friendship with Geraldine Ferraro, the first woman to run for Vice President in 1984 with candidate Walter Mondale. Albright and Ferraro bonded together over a uniquely feminine moment when Geraldine asked her if she had a half slip she could borrow.
I sat enraptured by Albright’s stories, her incredible intellect and impressive memory. At the end of the tea, I told her how I have always been inspired by her and that she has helped to pave the way for women like me. She responded by saying, “That is what it is all about.”
The idea that our work today can push women forward into greater empowerment and a better, more equal world is what inspires me to write this blog. I will endeavor to help other women advance in their careers until the time comes when women are better represented in positions of power.
by Amy Hou | Jan 29, 2016 | Press, Trailblazers, Women in the Workplace
Thanks to the Philadelphia Business Journal for highlighting Philadelphia women in healthcare leadership roles. At 33 percent, it’s better than the industry’s national average of 26 percent.
Pick up a copy at your news stand (or read the article here if you’re a subscriber). It includes profiles of 29 of my remarkable female colleagues leading the region’s hospitals and health systems.
