From Media Blitz to Women's Conference: Has Maria Shriver Discerned a Watershed Moment?

A Time magazine cover story and a week of programming on NBC immediately followed the release of The Shriver Report. This week, California's First Lady will use the findings to engage participants in her annual conference on women. If the continuing activity fails to "ignite a national conversation," it won't be for lack of planning and effort.

A new report about women's changing roles in society that has been sparking conversations across the country will be at the center of Maria Shriver's California Women's Conference on Tuesday this week. As one of the threads throughout its programming, the conference will discuss the findings of The Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Changes Everything--the "seismic shift" since women have quietly become half of the American workforce.

Tuesday's conference--which will be web cast at the Women's Conference website from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. PST--includes a diverse range of speakers, from Caroline Kennedy to Cindy McCain, Alicia Keys to Richard Branson, and Katie Couric to Eve Ensler. A panel facilitated by David Gregory will include Senior White House Advisor Valerie Jarrett, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, political analyst Amy Holmes, and ABC Senior National Correspondent Claire Shipman. The website, which features excerpts from the report and writings of well known personalities, is interactive. A community forum prompts site visitors for their input: "A National Conversation has been ignited and you are at the center of it: What do YOU think women want?"

Shriver, an experienced journalist and current First Lady of California, says she started thinking about the study when last year's Women's Conference sold out in just a few hours, with standing-room-only workshops on such topics as empowerment, activism, and entrepreneurship. "I wondered what was going on," Shriver mused in the report's preface. In answer to questionnaires, women said "they feel increasingly isolated, invisible, stressed, and misunderstood. ...We decided we need to learn some new, hard facts about today's American woman. ...How does she want to live her life moving forward?" Shriver brought her ideas for a sweeping study to John Podesta, former Clinton Administration chief of staff and president of the Center for American Progress. The resulting $2 million project includes a national poll sponsored by the Rockefeller Foundation and Time magazine.

Shriver says that the fact that women now make up half of all American workers "changes everything in our country--it changes how we work, it changes our children's school schedules, it changes our relationship with men, it changes laws in government, and it changes what businesses need to do to retain the American worker today." Yet according to the report, our leading institutions--be they government, business, faith based or in the media--have all failed to adapt to the changing paradigm of the American family.

An important finding in the report is how much men and women actually see eye to eye. Equal numbers report the same stresses in daily life and similar goals when it comes to issues like money, childcare and balancing work and home life. They share the belief that government and business have failed to adjust to their needs. Shriver says that "men seem to be in agreement with these issues that women have traditionally been very out in front on--whether it's child care, the need for flexible hours, the need for paid family leave--and I think that that's really exciting because this is no longer a woman's movement, this is a smart American policy."

In hopes of stimulating actual policy changes, The Shriver Report has been delivered to Fortune 500 top executives, Congressional leaders and committees, senior White House advisors as well as President Obama. On "Meet the Press" a week ago, Jarrett pointed out that the Obamas have always talked openly about the challenges of balancing work and family in their own lives. She said the administration will look at "what are the best practices in the private sector" that can be adapted to give employees flexibility in government and around the country. In an interview discussing The Shriver Report on NBC News, President Obama revealed personal details of his own negotiations with Michelle over work and family and added, "When I think about policy, I'm constantly thinking about how can we strengthen families, how can we provide more resources, greater flexibility so that women can thrive, because I think if women are thriving everybody's going to be thriving."

Though The Shriver Report itself noted the lack of stories reflecting these topics in the media, since the report has been released it has generated a flurry of coverage. (See Gloria Steinem's essay on this site, It's Not a Man's World or a Woman's Nation.) A week ago, I joined a press conference Shriver and Podesta held specifically for bloggers, hoping to foster continued coverage and discussion online. The full report can be purchased as an eBook or read online at awomansnation.com, and their website encourages visitors to "stay informed" by joining their mailing list, Twitter and Facebook pages, as well as "join the conversation" taking place at the Women's Conference site.

Shriver says, "We are really interested in the feedback. That's why we've developed several web sites to try to build a community of people." She adds, "We have power in our voices and in our numbers. People want to ask for flex time--you can point to studies that are in the report that talk about smart business practices like [those of] Deloitte, Hewlett Packard and so many other businesses." Progressive businesses, she says, have learned "how to retain women in the workforce, and how to retain men as well, who are increasingly interested in their caring roles as opposed to just their breadwinning roles."

John Podesta adds, "We hope that people will read this report ... and create a real conversation about what this means to America, and what it means for both men and women to create strong and happy lives and families."

This article originally appeared at The Women's Media Center.

Follow Marianne Schnall on Twitter: www.twitter.com/marianneschnall

Comments

[Dr Nancy OReilly]

Over 1,200 women ages to 20-80+ told me alot about living and growing older in the US. Over half of them reported being fearful of growing older in our youth oriented society. Women report "feeling invisible" as their youthful bloom fades with time. What about the woman, teen or girl that really never had that beautiful bloom to begin with? I hear too many women tell me they are too fat, not pretty, too old and on and on. The theme song I often hear is "stay young and beautiful if you want to be loved". Women in the US purchase over 85% of all products and services for themselves and their families. Why are we letting the marketplace and society define what size we should be, how young we should be, or pretty?? Women have a lot more going for them than their pretty faces. If you are standing in line and they ask you "Would you like great breasts or a great brain, which one would you want?" I think we need to teach our daughters that a great brain will last a lot longer than a tightly toned body. And while we are standing in line it would also be a good idea to ask for some positive self-esteem and self-confidence while we are there also.

[kbojar]

I was struck by the responses to "What do women want?” broken down into “twenties, thirties, forties, fifties, sixties plus? Why “sixties plus?” Why collapse the experiences of women in their 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s into one category?

Surely the issues that women face in their 80’s are different from those faced in their 60’s? The 60’s are the decade when women contemplate retirement. Can I handle it economically and psychologically? Should I transition to retirement through reduced work load (assuming that’s an option)? How can I make the most of my retirement years?

By their 70’s, most women have left the work force and different issues emerge. As a retiree who recently turned 65, I would have like to have learned about the experiences of women in their 70’s, as I try to get a handle on what may lie ahead, assuming I get there.

When I was in my early 50’s, I became aware of the invisibility of older women, but I am still surprised when I see this in organizati­ons/websit­es dedicated to the empowerment of women.

What’s behind this? Is it fear of old age? The women featured in the “sixties plus” category looked like they were in their 50’s—-a nod to our society’s obsession with youth which would have been a lot more difficult to pull off if there had been sections on women in their the 70’s, 80’s.
Karen
http://www.the-next-stage.com/

[karen1p]

Her report glosses over many aspects of women in business and the world. Mainly that women CONTINUE to make $0.78 to a man's dollar, we are WAY under-represented in the higher escelons of business, government and student government.

Younger women are still given the message through media that the way to get ahead is by being sexy and using your breasts instead of your brains.

I'm not sure how far we've actually gotten, Maria. Your report is quite skewed.

[Ziona Etzion]

Both the report and the conference bring enlightenment,and lead the
way, for women to see the impact and value that they have had
on society.

We are the backbone of our community. We are powerful and nurturing
at the same time.

We do things that are end-goal orientated, with a sense of purpose
and ON PURPOSE...

We want change! We want a world that we and our families can live in
with pride and dignity.

[peacegurl48]

As a single mother and California state employee I can share with Maria that her husband is devastating the lives of many women like me as he balances the California budget on the backs of average working people, the poor, the sick and the voiceless.
It is not a good time to be a working woman in California. I've lost count of the backwards steps I've taken financially and professionally.

[dizmo4]

Problem isn't so much Schwarzenegger, rather its structural.

Reagan passed a laws making it nearly impossible to raise income or property taxes, even in times of dire economic consequences. Even if Schwarzenegger wanted to, the votes simply aren't there. That means California has to rely on other means of revenue. That works out great when the economy is booming, but if the economy does a nose dive then so does teh California revenue.

The overall structure of the government of California is an absolute mess requiring a great deal of reform. But neither side is willing to take that on, so you're stuck with the current situation.

The problem is a lack of leadership that has to courage to do whats necessary. Its bipartisan.

[Gnrshrtd]

"In answer to questionnaires, women said "they feel increasingly isolated, invisible, stressed, and misunderstood."

If memory serves, this was similar to the response women gave in the 60's when asked how they felt about housewifery. It also echoes the remarks working class men gave about wage-slavery, and self-esteem issues around success or not in their role as provider. Patriarchies are hierarchical, working class men still have no voice, and now working class women are treated the same.

To me this reads as a story about social stratification as much as gender. The upper classes have options not available to the rest; and aside from the occasional Kennedy or Gates, they are not interested in sharing.

From where I stand, industry and business have become family un-friendly. Regardless of the messenger, Ms Shriver's message is important. It might be helpful to remember that the labor model we use in the West today is recent. We used to work seasonally - until monster industry came along and we were welded to time-clocks. The damage to families is documented from the morality stories of Dickens to this piece.

[flow555]

"industy and buiness have become family un-friendly" So true! Even the ones that win awards as being touted family friendly, often are not. Technology has allowed the workplace to seep into our free time, interrupting our family time and sending a message to our kids that work trumps them.

Vigilence is required in order to pushback on these trends. Don't believe the myth of mult-tasking! The world deserves your full attention, and when you are off the clock, your kids do too!

[mkg489]

As I watched the NBC series last week, “A Woman’s Nation”, I was left dumfounded by the single focus on how women have progressed, and wondered when NBC was going to run Part Two of the series, “A Man’s Nation”, highlighting how man has progressed as well. Of course, Maria Shriver included men in her slant, but in a typically presumptuous way that women think all men are, with questions shaped to provide the answer she wanted.

If in fact life in this country is a 50/50 proposition, (as it is in my marriage where we share roles and I stay home with my son) NBC is doing a disservice in not addressing the evolution of the modern man in equal share.

Honestly, I blame men for not demanding this discussion. The world needs a male Oprah right now. Someone to champion a dialogue that touches the festering part of male ego and awareness, a return to virtue. Imagine Cornell West, Yo Yo Ma, Mohammed Yunus, and some guy named Mitch from Indiana discussing what they think about when grooming themselves. Or Derrick Bell, Gary Zukav, and some 14-year old boys discussing the difference between force and power.

NBC, create Part Two.

[balancedsolution]

Maria was caught in a Red Zone in Santa Monica in her huge overpriced Escalade .

Another Violation.

Apparently you can do whatever you want to do?

She seems like real piece of work. Above the Law?

That's the problem with these kids that are born into privileged families.

Like George W.

[isjois]

Lots of young families are struggling to make it financially - with two good incomes.

These are not people buying lavish things and taking outrageous vacations, but rather two individuals struggling with extremely high housing costs, medical expenses and child care payments. Many families face daycare costs that are twice that of a mortgage/rental payment - for a basic "no frills" child care setting. If one of the children (or parents) faces a serious health issue, for some of us "it's all over" and we're ruined financially. Same goes for a job loss of either partner...or a divorce, where one is left a single parent.

We need the Boomers (and those older) to really listen to younger families. We're not looking for a handout...we just want a fighting shot to survive in today's economy.

[DragonMama]

You forgot to mention the student loan debt we're in to even be eligible for those "two good incomes". It seems like almost everyone I know under 40 who is willing to even discuss the subject, if they attended college at all (graduated or not) is underwater in their student loans, in that their annual income is lower than the outstanding debt on their loans. Heck, even Barack didn't manage to pay off his student loans until he got royalties from his first book. We're all living in indentured servitude and it's creating more strife in our lives than most of us are capable of handling on our own. It's insanity. And the older generation is more interested in their migrating with the weather entitlement during retirement to be bothered to help offset some of the childcare costs, if they're lucky enough to be well off enough to have retired. If they're retired and healthy, chances are they're traveling for pleasure more than they're helping with their grandkids, because, geez, it's not like THEIR parents sacrificed any grains of pleasure for THEIR benefit when they were young parents, did they?

[peacegurl48]

Here's a different view of the boomers: I'm 61 years old and have been a California public servant for 39 years as well as a single mother; now helping to raise my two granddaughters.
My parents worked hard and had a lovely home and were able to send my sisters and me to college. I have a BA from UCLA and a Teaching Credential from Cal State LA yet regardless of how hard I worked I could not significantly help my daughter nor afford to send her to college. I just lost my home to foreclosure after a 15% ($900/mo) paycut enacted by our Governor. I don't vacation and hope that I will be able to retire before I'm too much older. Per Social Security I've contributed $80k to the system and I pay $350/month toward my job's retirement; while I want to collect what I've put in I also want the next generations to have better health care, a clean environment, economic equity, peace and a social safety net. In other words I have empathy. The Boomers I know are all still working and struggling; none of us are better off than our parents, the American dream passed us by. Hopefully we'll all unite and demand that every generation has a chance for that dream.

[OS2Guy]

Maria is the worst first lady we have ever had and I'm a five-generation Californian and a Democrat to boot. Both she and Arnold are complete jokes and a major embarrassment to all Californians. I can't wait until he is voted out of office and replaced with Jerry Brown or Gavin Newsom - either one would be far better then the two currently presiding over California.

[elusiveyo]

any one with 20/20 knows all she is doing is trying to rehab her image after the disastrous tenure of her husband and the power grab by the kennedy's in there endorsement against Hillary Clinton, make no mistake, it wasnt an endorsement of Obama, it was against the Clinton's, she's a disaster as a good citizen, and any one not star struck by the name knows what she's all about

[Eli Davidson - Huffpost Blogger]

Now that women make up 50% of the workplace, we need to reinvent the way we relate to one another as genders.
"An important finding in the report is how much men and women actually see eye to eye. Equal numbers report the same stresses in daily life and similar goals when it comes to issues like money, childcare and balancing work and home life. They share the belief that government and business have failed to adjust to their needs. Shriver says that "men seem to be in agreement with these issues that women have traditionally been very out in front on--whether it's child care, the need for flexible hours, the need for paid family leave--and I think that that's really exciting because this is no longer a woman's movement, this is a smart American policy."

I look forward to focusing on being united for the common and highest good as we move forward.

[isadora]

Maria's the best. For a long time I didn't understand her role aas CA 'first lady," and I still don't in many ways. But what is important is how she cares and puts her money where her mouth is like her family traidtionally has. They have had many tragedies, but they keep going. This is what it is all about. She is a great example to her children and to others.

[SaraKay Smullens - Huffpost Blogger]

Shriver's Conference, the study noted, the Times cover story are all so important, as, of course, is our President's awareness that a respected and responded to woman leads to a fulfilled family life. Most people, however, are so overwhelmed and exhausted by the inordinant stresses of their day in and day out lives that they do not make the time for these important, essential conversations and resulting awarenesses. Energy is used to just get through the day. Few married couples realize the importance of the sentences: "How are you? How is our relationship going for you?" And then to really listen and respond. Hopefully, a public dialogue can change this. What is truly necessary is for children to be raised in homes where they actually see mutual respect and demonstrated communication between their parents and extended to how they are treated and heard, whatever their sex. In times of stress, even when we know better, the natural mode of behavior is a return to how we saw our parents live and how we experienced their treating us.