Check Out a new Play

at ACT! Theatre, July 12-August 11, 2013, Rapture, Blister, Burn!

When Catherine, a 40-something, single, and highly successful academic returns to her hometown to take care of her ailing mother, she reconnects with her college roommate and best friend, Gwen, now a stay-at-home mother and housewife married to Catherine’s old flame. Both women, coveting each other’s choices, attempt to find the happiness and fulfillment they lack by travelling a very bumpy road not taken, with surprising and hilarious results. This fast-paced, witty comedy by Gina Gionfriddo explores the continuing fallout and evolution of the feminist movement. –

Women Leaders, Breaking Barriers:

In more news:  Helen Thomas  ” who’s bottomless curiosity and unquenchable drive made her a prominent White House reporter at a time when men dominated the profession”, has died, at 92.    She was among women in the newsroom who started as a clerk and transcended that role when most women were expected to stay in the background.

Helen left public service (good journalism is a public service), and retired from her work,  when she reflected her bias.  It was unworthy of her, and was kind of nasty.  In fact, I want to remember her, without knowing this. But isn’t that the way it is with all of us?  Good people, good leaders, all of us, have bias of some kind or another. We must spend a lifetime uncovering this, and in self-reflection and honesty we need to choose to reveal it to ourselves and learn.  President Obama noted this in his comments this past week following the most recent flashpoint in our national non-conversation on Race: ” President Obama Asks Americans to do some soul-searching”.

In thinking about Helen:  she didn’t try to be a ‘lady’, and often her questions at White House press conferences were more pointed than people were comfortable with.   As women, we move through life in a way that allows us to gain more honesty in expression.  Many writers and researchers, Dr. Christine Northrup among them, say that during menopause, hormonal and biological changes influence women to loose some of the over-active filtering in the brain that brings out a new ‘calling it like it is’, a new honesty.

Corporations and Empathy:

Why Men Need Women: It’s Not What You Think

Studies say that empathic behavior of sisters may rub off on their brothers.  The presence of women influences empathic action.   A recent opinion piece in the NYT suggests another reason why it may be important for more women to be in executive and board roles relates to corporate behavior with employees and the community.

“We recognize the direct advantages that women as leaders bring to the table, which often include diverse perspectives, collaborative styles, dedication to mentoring and keen understanding of female employees and customers. But we’ve largely overlooked the beneficial effects that women have on the men around them. Is it possible that when women join top management teams, they encourage male colleagues to treat employees more generously and to share knowledge more freely? Increases in motivation, cooperation, and innovation in companies may be fueled not only by the direct actions of female leaders, but also by their influence on male leaders.”  Adam Grant, NYT, July 21, 2013

The RiverBirch Project:  Women, Leadership & Life!  Upcoming Events:

An evening event will be offered in the Fall.  Topics in the works:  Executive Presence — Exactly What is This?,  and: Mentors and Sponsors–What’s the Difference, and Why Does It Matter?

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Enjoy Summer!

~Lynn Hagerman, July 21, 2013