EIGHTEEN hour bras and "No Nonsense" Pantyhose. Who knew that a quick glance at the lingerie department could sum up the identity of female leaders so well? The balancing act that women in powerful positions face is a difficult one to understand and appreciate.
Before the cries of "feminist" ring out, hold on for a moment. Just try to imagine how hard it must be for women to garner respect as both power brokers and social butterflies. Too nice and bubbly and she's as credible as the flighty blonde Phoebe on "Friends." Try to go to the other extreme and she's as cuddly as everyone's favorite New York senatorial candidate. Too bad Xena Warrior Princess couldn't attend the Martha Stewart school of charm.
This is why you may hear women complain about being taken seriously. Putting in 18 hours a day can wear anyone out -- male or female alike. But is it the bra and what it covers that really proves a businesswoman's worth?
The answer should be no. But all too often, women with potential to promote change and lead others effectively are dismissed from the opportunity to do so.
This occurs in many cases because the balance between seriousness and graciousness that women are expected to maintain is too difficult a task. It isn't that women aren't deemed capable or afforded the rights to have the opportunity -- that has been federal law for some time now. Rather, it seems as though too many people expect a perfect balance of "No Nonsense" in both senses of the phrase. Feminine and silky on one hand, independent and charismatic on the other. If only it were so simple. True to life, though, it is all too easy to hit a snag and disappointedly watch everything unravel.
Not that this fact is tragic or insurmountable. It just becomes discouraging over time when much is expected in the way of female leadership but few visible gains seem to be made. Granted, the luxury that I am afforded to even provide such commentary illustrates the great strides made by women in the past century and a half. Yet it is still troublesome to see such a small representation of truly powerful women at the forefront that strike this delicate balance successfully.
The need for such female role models is more urgent than ever as we forge ahead in a new century. The "steel magnolias," as the southern phrase characterizes them, stand at a turning point for change. It is true that women have access to careers of all kinds. But this access means nothing if few women actually can break into traditional bastions of male dominance. It is crucial that female leadership is established and solidified as to legitimize all the gains that have been made.
So, how to reconcile Phoebe and Hilary? Well, trying to buy out the opposite stereotype doesn't work -- we all know that Mrs. Clinton's favorite pastime is not baking cookies.
To understand what it takes, it is important to look to those who have succeeded in this difficult task. Take, for example, Cherie Booth. Forty-five years old, this high-powered employment and human rights lawyer and mother of three is expecting her fourth child in two months. Having achieved success in her career and as a mother and wife, she can also throw parties with the best of them. Regularly entertaining for heads of state is part of the duty of being the wife of any Prime Minister, particularly one as powerful as her husband, Britain's Tony Blair. Respected by her colleagues and loved by her family and the British people they serve, she represents the best of what a woman can be.
Another example is Carly Firomina, the wildly popular CEO of Hewlett-Packard. There is no nonsense about being Fortune 500's "Most powerful woman in business" two years in a row (http://www.imaging.hp.com). She earned her way to the top resolutely and graciously. Neither sleaze nor spinster-like characteristics factor into the calculation of her success. Rather, Fiormina has worked hard over the past 20 years at industry giants such as AT&T and Lucent Technologies. This, balanced with her winning personality, garnered her the top spot at one of the hottest companies in the technology sector.
Clearly, the opportunities exist for women to rise and lead others with both strength and grace. But the balancing act that female leaders are expected to maintain is a difficult one. The mix of work -- in a career or possibly as a wife and mother - and the drive to succeed provides many challenges to women. It is time to give women more credit for the roles that they must shoulder and work that they accomplish.
This change in attitudes cannot be a passing trend -- it is here to stay. It must be considered as functional and necessary as any staple of a wardrobe. Perhaps this will as difficult as finding the perfect bra, but it surely is not impossible.
(Katherine Martini is a Cavalier Daily viewpoint writer.)
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