Thread: WC's MUST READ, Book of the Year

It's early in the year but if you don't read ANYthing else you need to read this one! Especially if you are an American, as it's directed toward the USA.

Women Lead the Way Your Guide to Stepping Up To Leadership and Changing the World, by Linda Tarr-Whelan

This is not a long book and is very readable, has good notes and a great resource list at the back.

Have you heard of the 30% Solution? You should know about it. Women make up more than half the adult popultion in the world. In the US women, "occupy between 16% and 20% of leadership positions across major sectors of society. Research consistantly shows that when women lead side by side with men, more alteratives are offered, more skill sets are used, and more out-of-the-box thinking occurs from both genders."

Women in the US are falling further behind every year. A decade ago, the US was 37th in the world in women's political participation, they are now 69th. Norway is so convinced of the value of women's participation that they have passed a law requiring publicly traded companies to have at least 40% women on their boards.

According to Catalyst, an independent research organization with deep ties to Fortune 500 companies, "Firms with one-third or more women as corporate officers and directors reap rich rewards: higher financial performance and better bottom lines." Companies with more women at the top fared better in the economic meltdown.

Many countries around the world are actively pursing the 30% solution by dramtically increasing women's voices in government and business. Some that might surprise you. "The eleven countries with the greatest representation of women at the highest levels of governement are Rwanda, Sweden. Cuba, Finland, Argentina, the Netherlands, Denmark, Angola, Costa Rica, Spain and Norway." Post conflict societies such as South Africa and Rwanda have recognized that women's participation gives them a fresh start with new players. Women, who were often the biggest victims (along with children) have a different perspective.

Did you know that as recently as the 1970s, in many states of the US a woman who qualified for a mortgage was required by law to have a male co-signer, regardless of her income? Today (in the US), one third of young women aged twenty-five to twenty-nine have college degrees, compared to one quarter of young men. BUT 2/3 of adults earning minimum wage are women.

The book looks first at what happens when women have an effective voice (30% is the tipping point) historically and now. Then it talks about what you can do and moving forward. It is a call, not to arms but to full participation.

This is not just a book women should read. Everyone should be aware of the benefits and need for full partnership!

Get this one on your list and READ it. If you haven't read last years book, Kiss My Tiara - well, get busy! This one first.