The New Power Girls: Women Who Ignore Gender in Business

Not long ago, somebody asked me who I'm inspired by in my work. It was an easy answer. Martin Luther King, Tina Fey. Oprah Winfrey, for recognizing the gift her platform is and using it to encourage others. Arianna Huffington. Rupert Murdoch, for his seeming agility despite that he's hardly at a start-up. I love how Carl Icahn appears to stand tough on what he thinks and wants. Mark Cuban, because he always looks like he's happy and enjoying himself. The list could go on and on.

It wasn't until recently that I realized something unusual: It has as many men as women on it.

As an entrepreneur, I'm as moved to believe I can do big things in business by what a man accomplishes as much as a woman. In fact, when I look at Rupert Murdoch or Barry Diller, I want to be like them -- just as I do when I see anybody else who owns a successful media company, male or female.

It got me thinking: Are today's successful women blind to gender when it comes to what inspirits them in business? I decided to see what women had to say about it.

"I really don't even look at gender when it comes to industries. If I want to something, or start a business, it's the last thing on my list I am concerned about," said friend and fellow entrepreneur Sayeh Pezeshki, founder of Sortingwithstyle.com. "There are more important things such as start-up capital, competition, industry research, etc."

Silverplanet.com's Florence Klein shared the same. In fact, the sentiment was echoed so loudly among The New Power Girls email subscribers this week, it took more than a half hour to get through all the responses sent in. In nearly every email received, women cited that they're as motivated by men in business as they are women. In fact, they believe they can and will do the same big things regardless.

"An accomplishment is an accomplishment no matter where it comes from," said Heavybag Media's Jackie Peters, who has carved a big name for her business in tech's male-dominated market.

Power Girls have their sights fixed on the brass ring. Never mind who might be holding it.

It goes beyond simply being motivated by both of the sexes. The new modern women entrepreneurs are just as gender agnostic in their work, industries and markets. They have no issue taking on tasks traditionally deemed male, or swinging at major league pitches amidst roomfuls of men. They stand confidently on their value and experience, and barely blink an eye when it comes to competition -- regardless of whether it is of male or female origin.

"Glass ceilings may exist but glass can be shattered and cracked," added one woman.

In fact, for this Friday's prestigious Crunchies awards -- the top ceremony for the once traditionally male-dominated internet business -- it's said that there have been an abundance of women-owned companies submitted this year. What's more, three women are up for the "Best Start-Up Founder" honor -- the first time in the event's history.

"Gender has never been a factor in anything that I have ever done," chimed Stacey Kannenberg, founder of Cedar Valley Publishing, who added that her accomplishments inspire her husband, who is also an entrepreneur.

If business is still a "man's world," Power Girls simply don't care.

Comments

[DXP]

When women (and other dis-empowered groups and minorities) allow their issues to be framed as "social" issues then they open themselves up for loss of rights. Women's issues should be "civil rights" issues. So it is very nice and comforting that young women are not being threatening, liking everyone, etc, but those who came before you had to fight (often losing battles) to improve things for you. When you are an old woman what do you think you will have done for your granddaughters?

[Patricia Handschiegel - Huffpost Blogger]

I love this comment. The end of this series will wrap up with a look at those women you mention, because I admire those women so much. They make it possible for me to speak in front of a roomful of men, but also, to do so in Christian Louboutin heels and a pretty top - something many women over the course of business would never have been able to do. I think it's incredible to see what these women did for our generation - if you go back through my archive posts, I've referenced this in the past.

What we can and should do for our grand daughters is show them that thanks to all of the women over the course of time, they can be great things - virtually anything they want - and still be women.

[anndaly]

"Gender neutrality" may work for some as a strategy, but that doesn't mean that sexism is not still alive and well in our culture.

[Patricia Handschiegel - Huffpost Blogger]

Of course not. But, I think that we are so incredibly lucky - and often forget - that it is nowhere near what it was when women first started in the corporate world. Go back through time and you'll find that a lot of the sexual harassment laws we know of today, that protect women, were put into place in fairly recent years. Women today still experience sexism in business, and even limitations, but it's nowhere near where it has been in the past.

I think that women being able to see a man - or a woman - doing big things and believe they can do the same is huge!

[lild184]

Great post Patricia. I haven't thought about it like that. However, I do think that most women who never become entrepreneurs are held back by gender stereotypes and that, yes, women can become equally inspired by men and women, but that fewer women are inspired in the first place because there are so few women and thus less association.
I posted something on this topic in an entry of mine yesterday on women entrepreneurs in technology. If you want to check it out, the link is: http://www.israelinnovation20.com/2009/01/06/why-techaviv-and-technology-in-general-lacks-female-entrepreneurs-part-1/.

[jwallace913]

Hey Patricia and readers,
Check out a power girl who is trying to help others achieve great things at www.ninasimosko.com. She is an inspiration and was recently awarded a Stevie Award for Women in Business [http://www.pitchengine.com/ninasimosko/silicon-valley-executive-recognized-for-her-global-leadership/1510/]. I have the good fortune of working on her behalf.

[sobofitness]

I was one of the Power Girls who responded and said that I am inspired by men and women equally. It is so great to see that other women agree and I love the quote from Jackie Peters. Amen sisters!

[KillTheMessenger]

Oprah... a role model? The queen of media consumerism? I guess that says it all... and don't even get me started with "the guys" on your list.

[Patricia Handschiegel - Huffpost Blogger]

From a business standpoint, considering that she was a woman during an era that women weren't doing the same type of things in media, she's achieved a lot and definitely appeals to me for this reason. She was one of the first women to take a concept to the level she had, and has set an incredible opportunity for many behind her. As for the others on my list, I think role models and what's acceptable to one can vary. I by no means feel anybody should agree with who I look up to or why, just as much as I think their opinions of it are equally subjective.

[Donkslayer]

BINGO!!!

[Sarah Hurty]

Exactly. It doesn't matter. Even if practically there are barriers, the only way through them is to know and be and do your very best, and ignore the rest.

The first place I learned that was in my very early 20s in ministry in conservative Evangelical circles -- where the barriers can be very real. The only effective way of changing anyone's mind was to be clearly effective at what I'm called to do.