Helping Women

I live in New York City and I have had many more opportunities than most women in the rest of the world.  I was very lucky to have an education and then work in a company that believed (since the 1930's) in paying women the same salary as men doing the same work - an admirable, ethical, progressive company in every sense of the word.

I have read and agonized about the inequalities that take place in other countries where women are concerned.  Nicholas Kristof in The New York TImes (one of the blogs I subscribe to and that may be found to the left side of my blog) thankfully shines light on these issues again and again.  As a woman I am committed to do something about it.  I am not sure exactly what I will do yet. I know that reading and agonizing over these issues is extremely unproductive and frustrating.  Doing something about it is the only alternative.

I realize that in countries with laws and norms that prevent women from getting an education and where they sometimes are not even allowed to leave their homes, where they are killed for being raped, where they are sexually mutilated as they are not allowed to feel anything, etc., it's a different story.  In some of these countries, women face extreme limitations and are unable to speak up and change their world.  For change to take place they need help from others and I don't expect them to take the lead in making a change for themselves because they would probably be killed in the process. Change will likely come from political pressure and from help from grassroots efforts and others.  Powerful women such as Hillary Clinton will help as well - she recently declared she will not seek a second term as Secretary of State of the United States and that she will dedicate herself to being an advocate for women and children.

It's tough to read about the horrors that women go through in remote countries.  What I find equally hard to experience is the inequality that takes place in the Western world.  In some countries that supposedly are "advanced" and part of the Western world, women are still raised and treated as second class citizens.  This is largely a social issue that women buy into and they end up playing those secondary roles with apparent ease.  However, these are women that have great advantages since they have access to education as well as freedom of movement that would be unthinkable in other, more backward, countries.   Some of these women take advantage of their education and become admirable leaders and role models.  Most other women don't quite see themselves as anything but dependent of men in every sense of the word.

I understand it.  However, educated women have less and less excuses for being in the shadows of men and they have no excuse for at least attempting to overcome the social limitations when they have so much more in their favor than most other women in the rest of the world.  To the educated women in the Western world that are paralyzed by their imaginary social constructs I propose that you wake up, emancipate and draw from your own power.  Become a contributor in the world, shed the excuses and do something for other women in your lives.  Use your education and become a mentor, help other women less fortunate to get an education and grow.  Do something other than focus on just yourselves.  Even though I want to do more to have a bigger impact what I have been doing is mentoring women - students, senior managers and executives - so that they can take their place in the world.

I also ask the many conscious and wonderful men out there to also help women.  To them I ask that they teach their daughters that they are equal to boys and have the same opportunities to succeed in life.  Also, to help women as you encounter them in your professional life.  Encourage them, if you see they are not confident, tell them there that confidence is the first ingredient for success.  Teach them what you know so that they learn from your mistakes.  There is a very significant role for you to play to help women. You will be helping your sisters, your daughters and your granddaughters.

There are many ways to serve in the world.  Helping women - who represent half the population in the world - would make a significant difference and help the world as a whole.