Can Women Save the Economy?
Remember Rosie the Riveter from World War II? Six million women strapped on their boots, learned a new skill and went to work building everything from ships to planes. Does the economy need that kind of determination, focus, creativity and strength now?
This economic time is an opportunity for women to really step up into their own power. Women are super busy and often reluctant - "who am I to run for office, try for a management position, believe I can make $100,000 a year or more?" Women collectively struggle with self-worth and it shows in our expectations and our paychecks.
Right now America needs women to take the promises of the 70s feminist movement to heart and express those ideals in a very bold 2011 manner. Women can save the economy by starting businesses, (More women than men are today) and by hiriing other women and by applauding and supporting successful women rather than bashing them. Women can save the economy by making more money and encouraging other women to make ore money. And, as I shared with my cousin Kim Kelly (K2Sells.com) who is a powerful woman and making plentyof money, by giving back to other women through donations and giving a leg up. For example, if you live in the Central Valley, the West Side Women in Action Business Conference is Friday Oct 7th (www.wswia.org). WSWIA gives money for educational scholarships for girls and women in the Central Valley. Still accepting scholarship applications, by the way.
Kristen Gillibrand, a rising star in Congress, mother of two believes it is vital that women's economic potential be unleashed to bring the country out of it's economic malaise. "If women earned dollar for dollar what men do," she says, "it could raise the GCP by 9%. This affects every American family."
Supporting other women is not about not supporting the men. But, here's the thing - women have only been in the workforce in the numbers they are today, since the 70s. We're playing catch up financially, politically and in the corporate world. There is still a glass ceiling and when a woman breaks through, it's so important for her to mentor other women up the ladder. Every woman we mentor, support or encourage sends a message that women are valuable, worthy and important. (*From USA Today article "Skilled, savvy women can rescue our sagging economy, Gail Sheehy, Passages author 8/23/11)