WOMEN EXECUTIVES

Published by Rider University in the book:

Celebrating 20 Years: Best Essays from the Rider Women's Studies Colloquia 1983-2002

WOMEN EXECUTIVES

Maureen Palli (1985)

“A woman’s place is barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen.” At one time, that seemed to be the extent of occupations for women. But today, women have overcome this stereotyping and hold a wider variety of jobs than ever before. Many have spent years striving to receive college degrees and have succeeded in gaining positions in the once predominantly male business world. In the past, women have only been associated with carrying on their traditional roles of mother, housekeeper, and family cook. But young women today have greater expectations of life. They value intellect and they wish to use their minds in an effort to better society.

“Women in large numbers are working their way up, the way men always have” (Rowan 72). It is evident that there is a great desire among young women of the 1980’s to become a part of the business world. “[Although] it is clear that, at present, women have relatively little power at the top levels in U.S. corporations,” one can see that many achievements women are realizing as they struggle to rise to the top (Forbes 39). “Almost as powerful as the maternal urge among some of the women is the desire to give birth to a business” (Rowan 68). Thus, we see that a new generation of women executives is on the rise.

In an effort to earn executive positions in the business world, women are becoming better educated. A generation ago, education for many women ended with a high school diploma. But today many women have an undergraduate degree and some have a graduate degree. “Women are obtaining more technical training and more business education” (Forbes 39). Young women increasingly place a high value on education. Eight female Rider College business majors said in interviews that it was their own decision to attend college; that is was something they truly wanted to do. These women realize that higher education will open the door to a world of job opportunities for them.

“The 1983 Association Executive Compensation Study shows that women hold nearly 36 percent of all executive positions within associations” (Priestland 65). Men, holding the other 64 percent of executive positions, clearly dominate the business world. This is evidence that “the old boys’ network” (one generation of businessmen helping the next generation of businessmen) is still very much alive. Women often face a struggle when entering the business world. They are not always welcomed with the open arms of the men who have gone before them. “A generation ago a woman might have been put down by male smugness,” but today women usually regard egotistical males as “pitiful ignoramuses” (Bettner 119). As Jill Curie, the commercial director for Mitchells & Butlers East, says, “Society was made to have men and women in it and that is what one assumes mother nature thought was best. One wonders why there is this incredible resistance to having that sort of mix running a company” (Counsell 51). Women have potential skills which should be developed and used as an asset to the business world (Atchley60). Today’s women realize that they must take on the responsibility of applying equal effort with men in order to claim equal opportunities. “This is not in the nature of a battle-to be fought til the enemy surrenders from pure exhaustion or because he’s fed up with being nagged. Rather, we are caught up in a slow-changing pattern in which women are taking their place in nearly equal number with men in the workplace” (Atchley 60). More and more, women can achieve satisfaction while proving that they are just as skilled and qualified as men.

Society is faced with the possibility that as more women enter the business world, there may no longer be many women who “choose to devote their lives, wholly or in part, to the care of children” (Atchley 60). Its seems, however, that society need not worry. Motherhood is a structural element in the lives of vast numbers of working women (Atchley 60). Today’s generation of young women have every intention of becoming mothers. Nine female Rider College business majors, when interviewed, declared that motherhood is of great importance to them. They plan to stop working for some period of time in order to raise children. They believe young children need to be cared for by mothers who will stay at home.

Alexandra Wiman, college junior, age twenty-three, stated that she will not return to work immediately after having children. She said she would not return “until they are old enough to know that I am not abandoning them.” Lori Kalen, college sophomore, age nineteen, said, “I will take off work for at least six months to one year after a child is born because this is the most important time for a mother to be with her child.” Most women do not wish to devote their lives wholly to the task of raising children, nor do they wish to abandon the role of motherhood. Research shows that “on average, women are likely to stop work for only seven years or so to nurture a family-i.e. a break of some 18 percent of her working life” (Atchley 60). The role of motherhood is one that deserves great respect and support from society. It is in fact a role that is here to stay. However, it will not be the only role for women. Valuable job training and experience will not go to waste following pregnancy (Atchley 60).

Money can be considered a key factor in women choosing to become a part of the business world. Heidi Kaplan, college sophomore, age nineteen, said, “It will be economically necessary [to work during most of her lifetime] because a family will need a double-income.” Women wish to work in the business world because of the economic benefits it offers. “The fact is that 95 percent of all women will work for some part of their lives to support themselves, and often, their families” (Willis 56). Executive positions often provide high salaries which enable women to attain a feeling of economic security and independence.

Women of the 1980’s, therefore, wish to be executives not only because they feel that they have a great deal to offer the business world, but also because they feel that the business world has a great deal to offer them. Sharlene Isaacson, college freshman, age eighteen, explains that “working provides a chance to set goals.” She says, “to accomplish the goals I set gives me a feeling that I have a purpose in society.” Although it is true that any type of work creates goals, the business world offers a chance for women to put their minds to work. Lynn Comppen, college senior, age twenty-two, declared that she would work even if it were not financially necessary for her to do so. She states that she would do so “to remain active and stay in touch with the intellectual community.” A business career is not something that is easily obtained. It requires hard work and dedication; it does, however, have its rewards. Jackie Barba, college sophomore, age nineteen, explains that “a career can be very rewarding and can give a feeling of self-satisfaction.”

“A generation of women executives is coming up through the ranks of American corporations” (Forbes 38). These young women are ambitious about using their intellect as a means to better society. They are not abandoning their traditional roles of wife and mother; they are only hoping to take on new roles. They are expanding their education because they know that they must apply equal effort with men in order to compete in the business world. You women of today realize that financially they will be forced to go to work for at least some part of their lifetime; thus, they are striving for the high salaries executive positions often provide. Ultimately, women value a career in business because they feel that it is a means to enhancing their intellectual and their emotional lives.

WORKS CITED:

Atchley, Kate. “Why Should a Woman Be More Like a Man?” Accountancy June, 1983: 60.

Bettner, Jill, and Christine Donahue. “Now They’re Not Laughing.” Forbes 12 November, 1983: 116-119.

Counsell, Gail. “Two at the Top Show the Way.” Accountancy June, 1983: 49-51.

Forbes, J. Benjamin and James E. Piercy. “Rising to the Top: Executive Women in 1983 and Beyond.” Business Horizons September – October, 1983: 38-47.

Priestland, Sue C. “Women Move Into Executive Slots But Salaries Lag Behind.” Association Management August, 1983: 65-67, 69.

Rowan, Roy. “How Harvard’s Women MBAs are Managing.” Fortune 11 July, 1983: 58, 60, 64, 68, 72.

Willis, Elizabeth. “Start on the Career Ladder by Giving Yourself a Push.” Accountancy June, 1983: 56-57.