Are you a working woman who doesn’t think you have much of a chance of making it to the top of your organization? Are you someone who believes that very few women will make it far in the workforce? More than ever, working women have a spectacular opportunity to rise to the top. This article demonstrates how women have shattered the glass ceiling after working hard to get ahead at work.
I would like to start by recognizing my mother for her outstanding achievements. In 1980, she became a senior center administrator for the Middle East Area Agency on Aging in St. Louis, Missouri. She eventually got promoted to a higher position. A few years ago, she became one of three people in her agency in charge of a dozen different centers. She has turned down the opportunity to rise to the second highest position in the organization, a position that involves being in charge of all the centers. My mother’s immediate supervisor and CEO are women.
My mother is not the only lady who has come a long way at work. It is common to find or read about ladies who are school principals, retail store managers, corporate executives, etc.
Let us turn our attention to the Supreme Court of the United States of America. One of the nine justices is Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The high court recently appointed Sandra Day O’Connor as a judge. Have you been aware of the political news? Barack Obama, the president of the United States, has appointed Sonia Sotomayor to take the place of retired judge David Souter.
Have you heard of Nancy Pelosi? She is the Speaker of the House in Congress. Before her fellow representatives presented her with the nomination for the 2007 session of Congress, the House never had a female speaker. Pelosi won her promotion by being a representative who helped strengthen the Democratic Party and return it to majority status.
We must include Hillary Rodham Clinton in the discussion of women breaking down barriers in the workforce. She went from being a powerful adviser as First Lady to President Bill Clinton to becoming a Senator from New York. Hillary entered a strong presidential race as the Democrats’ second-place candidate in the 2008 primary, prompting Obama to appoint her secretary of state. She accepted the nomination and was confirmed by Congress.
Mrs. Clinton is not the only woman to have been Secretary of State. Her predecessor was Condoleezza Rice, a black lady who was appointed to serve under the previous president, George W. Bush.
Do you remember Janet Reno? She was Bill Clinton’s United States Attorney General.
Do you know Sarah Palin? She is the governor of Alaska and was chosen to run as the vice-presidential running mate of John McCain, the candidate who lost the most recent presidential election.
Do you think all professional sports teams have been owned solely by men? This is not true. Georgia Frontiere owned our St. Louis Rams National Football League team until she recently passed away. Marge Schott used to own Major League Baseball’s Cincinnati Reds.
You have discovered how working women have shattered the glass ceiling. If you are a working woman, do not lose hope of reaching the top!
