In the Company of Greatness

This week, I was surrounded by amazing women who have made history in their own right.

I was fortunate to be in the company of greatness — Sally Ride, the first American woman to travel into space; Shelly Lazarus, CEO and Chairman of Ogilvy Worldwide; Jane Swift, former Massachusetts governor; and Myra Hart, co-founder of Staples and famous author.

Being in a room with these women, I was both awestruck and inspired. Thinking about their many contributions to women’s progress and their personal journeys, I was wondering what and who inspired them to take their leaps into greatness. The common thread among them is their passion, combined with confidence and courage. I can’t think of four more accomplished women and what a special way to celebrate Women’s History Month — they have touched my life personally and made the world more open for everyone.

While the majority of us won’t become astronauts, politicians, CEO’s and entrepreneurs, I believe we can make history in our own way. History is often made when a combination of small actions results in a change over time and becomes memorable — it’s not always a big event. Since I have been so fortunate in my life and career, I would like to help others be successful, particularly other women. I ask you to find a woman in your life for whom you can make a difference — a colleague, a friend, a daughter, a mother. I believe that history is made each and every day by all of us in how we touch and influence what happens to others who are part of our lives.

So, are you ready to make history?

Barbara

By blogger Barbara Adachi, Deloitte LLP

Comments

[Diane in Las Vegas]

Thanks Barbara, for sharing information about these inspiring women.

Women of all generations need role models to align with from all walks of life. In a feature story by Harriet Rubin in the April'08 issue of Conde Nast Portfolio some interesting facts come to light. Although significant progress has taken place over the last 30 years, in the last few years women have seen a stagnation and even a slide backward in the progress we once thought was eventual. Salary gains have retreated, only 14.8% of the boardroom is female, there is still a large gap in pay with women earning only 78.7% of their male counterparts reported in 2006. In 2006 29.5% of the female executives appeared to be future leaders, 2007 that number is down to 27.2%. The article is full of current statistics that point to your Women of Greatness as being few and far between.

I believe that the gender gap has much to do with the sublte nature of the problem today. No longer is the sexist issue so flagrant. We now face a gender curtian, sheer, sublte but still a barrier for women in all walks of life. As our accounting profession works to be seen as a leader in the development of female talent, we must now cross over into those CFO roles in the corporate world. This will take time.
In my book I tell such a story, the possiblities, the hopes and the action steps women can take to make that leap through the gender curtain -

What do you think it will take to see real progress on Wall Street and Main Street?

[Holly in Atlanta]

Thank you for your blog. After reading it I was inspired to schedule an outing with a young girl I am mentoring. It has been on my mind but with all the other "stuff" to do it kept moving down my list. We just need those gentle reminders at times. Thanks!

[Patricia in Mexico City]

Hi Barbara, such an inspiring post!

Thanks for sharing that amazing experience and also, thanks for suggesting such a fulfilling task