A lot of people have asked me what inspired me to start the New Power Girls series and there's only one answer: Inspiration.
When I was very little, I remember hearing about a cultural trend of women moving into corporate America. It sparked the rerun movies on cable during summer vacations as I grew up, like Mr. Mom, 9-to-5, and Working Girl. There were magazine articles about the issues they faced ranging from discrimination to how they had to dress. Mind you, much of the fuss was about women simply being in the office. It'd be many years after that they'd reach the ranks of the C-level.
It might sound as if it were a long time ago but it wasn't. Just 23 or so years.
Many things women are able to do in the business world now stems from those days. Most of the sexual harassment laws that protect us now were put into effect then. Thanks to the women of the past who were willing to endure the tough times, it's possible for me to not just be seated across the table of a major media mogul as I represent my own company, but also to be able to do so in a pretty skirt and gold heels. It's through these women millions of us are able to do all kinds of incredible things.
What motivated me to study women in power and ultimately create the New Power Girls series are these women.
It's also the some sixty women I presently know and count as friends who also are founders of their own start-ups. They represent a unique trend sweeping across America, one I'm also part of. They're women entrepreneurs of a new breed, women who have set their sights on reaching business at its highest level.
In today's post, they speak for themselves about being inspired and an inspiration:
My greatest inspiration has come from my collaboration with other women business owners - Minette Riordan, Ph.D. President of Scissortail Publishing
I inherited a strong work ethic and desire to not be poor from my grandmother, my role model for the entrepreneur I've become - Monique Hayward, Owner Dessert Noir Café & Bar
Women doing big things in business is inspirational, because on many top levels, it still just doesn't happen that often (for example when you consider only 24 of the Fortune 1000 CEOs are women in '08) - Sarah Sutton Fell, Founder FlexJobs.com
As far back as I can remember I have always wanted to own my own business. I was the kid with the lemonade stand and then later babysitting business for my neighborhood - Sayeh Pezeshki, Founder SortingwithStyle.com
Global Poverty and its impact on women and their children moved me to start MSBphilanthropyadvisors - M. Starita Boyce-Ansari, Ph.D. Principal MSBphilanthropyadvisors, LLC
I would like to be an inspiration to other women by being a living example of what is possible regardless of the challenges that show up in your life - Alexis Martin Neely, Founder Family Wealth Matters
Women doing the extraordinary in business are shining the light on the opportunities available to all and the great rewards in being the first one to take the leap of faith - Misty Gibbs, Founder Myinspirationlounge.com
I think that women doing big things in business is inspirational to others because it helps to eliminate role discrimination - Deb Helbig, Founder, Seize the Day Coaching
I hope to inspire others to find something they're passionate about and do it as much as possible - Karen Hartline, Event Coordinator, Blurb.com
I would like to inspire other women, as I have for 4 decades to say "yes we can" lead active lives. For that reason, at age 72, I started the SilverPlanet website - Florence Klein, Founder Silverplanet.com
Power Girls don't want to just do big things or be big things, but are inspiring others (and eachother!) to do the same.
