Happy Women's Equality Day!

Happy Women's Equality day!

This day, formerly known as Woman Suffrage Day, marks the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (1920), granting women the right to vote. Hard to believe we've had that equal right for less than 100 years. Now, if we could just share the leadership of our country, our institutions, our organizations and corporations equally...

How appropriate that we follow this important day with the 1st ever Polish Your Star Executive Leadership event - encouraging women to embrace their equal share. It's almost here...less than 24 hours. The program has evolved from it's original inception as a parallel program (Leaders & Emerging Leaders separated) to a fully integrated program. I can't wait to see its evolution next year! (And there will be a next year!)

I'm very excited to meet each of the women I've been learning about. To hand her a Leaders' Books hot off the presses tomorrow. To see her appreciation of , learning and connecting with each woman there. To watch the connections being made and the start of a network like she never thought possible.

I've been gratified and honored to work with the women who've helped make this 1st ever event a reality: Sponsors Jennifer Hauschildt at Thomson Reuters & Tina Decker at Best Buy and our Facilitators Betty Albitz of Integrated Inc., Karen DeYoung of DeYoung Consulting Services, Gwen Gierke of Emerging Leaders Association, intern & advisory board member Elise Peterson and Rita Webster of WiseLeader. And our friends Sandy Johnson at Presentation Wiz (event designs) and webhosts Webblake, president Tami Coalwell (online registration.) Thanks too to Paul Hinderger, Catering Director, at the Womans Club of Minneapolis.

Let's make history again!

How to fix capitalism - Don't forget women

I was scanning the Time article "How to Fix Capitalism" by Bill Gates earlier today. (TIME, 8/11/08.) The only picture of a woman in the brief history of creative/capitalism was the Statue of Liberty. I'm not sure she really counts. [Don't get me wrong - there were women's photos later in the article. Women in poor countries benefiting from corporate good deeds and scantly dressed female model used to promote the PRODUCT (RED).] Oh, thank you capitalism for all you've done for little old me.

What ever happened to ads like that one from Coke that showed how sexy it is for a man to be a good parent? I'd personally help finance a company that helped solve the problems women face today. Perhaps some targeted specifically at the adult male who wants to contribute to making a difference?:
* "There is no cleaning fairy" products & services for men- products and training on how to run a house hold (wash dishes, organize, calendar school activities, clean a toilet; wash, fold & iron clothes)
* "Dinners with Dad" self bake stations- How to shop for healthy food for everyone in the family (dietary differences between kids, men & women), preparing meals, serving & cleaning up too.
* "Ask how you can help" training to move men from self to other centered
* "I practice what I preach" donation drop boxes for men who say they've seen the light and believe in pursuing good works later in life (after they've already hit it rich, ignored their 1st families and divorced multiple wives.) Surely they'd be willing to part with all that excess cash, right?
* No princess allowed toy & clothing stores
* "I spent it growing my company" low cost, practical clothes, shoes & purses for women.