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News For You - May 2001We have developed this page to give our visitors the opportunity to see what's new, at a glance, in the business world and how it relates to our program. Take a moment to browse and see what's of interest to you! Stepping Stool Becomes a Stepping Stone Sheila Wellington, president of Catalyst, the nonprofit women’s research organization, pulled no punches while speaking to a standing-room-only crowd at the group’s annual awards dinner. With Jacques Nasser of Ford, Jack Welch of General Electric, Christopher Galvin of Motorola and 54 other fortune 500 CEO’s in attendance, Wellington knew her statements had to be bold to influence change in the workplace. Ms. Wellington had already warmed up the crowd with a little humor. After an introduction by Carly Fiorina, CEO of Hewlett-Packard, the much shorter Wellington had to step up to use the lectern. In doing so, she declared, “Let me stand on my pedestal…the world looks much better from here.” After her introductory statements, Wellington took aim at the current imbalances in corporate America. In her statements, she claimed that companies could no longer use the “pipeline excuse” – that women entered the workforce later than men – to explain the lack of women at the top of corporate America. Wellington’s speech was well received by the diverse crowd and she was rewarded with a standing ovation at the end of her remarks. (Source: The New York Times, Sunday, April 15 2001. Judith H. Dobrzynski)
Disputing Disparity in Wages There is no debate over the fact that women earn less than men in the United States work- force. However, the debate over the actual level of pay discrepancy is underway. A recent study issued by the AFL-CIO shows that on average, for every dollar a man earned, a woman made 73 cents. The study also showed the wage disparity is even higher for African-American and Latina women. Although these numbers are representative of the most recent census studies, economist Anita U. Hattiangadi and attorney Amy M. Habib say that the pay gap is exaggerated. Their independent group, called the Employment Policy Foundation, claims, “The issue has been pushed by special interest groups that believe government should be setting the wage law for the rest of us. We think the free market does a pretty good job of setting wages.” Karen Nussbaum, director of the AFL-CIO Working Women department refutes this, and states, “We’re not saying government should decide who gets paid what. We just want to take the discrimination out of the pay scale.” Perhaps the most accurate measurement of the discrepancy comes from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research. Factors taken into account for their study included years of experience, rates of union memberships, gender dominated industries, and education and training. Nevertheless, their report found that with all of these factors considered women earn 12 cents less per dollar than men do. The fact remains that women earn considerably less than men in the U.S. workforce - for both the short and long term. (Source: CNN.com, article by Larry Keller)
Women Yet to Provide “Spark” in I.T. Gender Gap Although high-tech and telecommunications companies are changing at break-neck speed, the gender gap may be changing at a much more negative rate. The gender makeup of top offices and boardrooms is not changing in the favor of women in the field. Women comprise only 13 percent of the top executives and 9 percent of the boards of directors of the nation’s leading media, telecom and e-commerce companies according to research by the Annenberg Public Policy Center at The University of Pennsylvania. The report suggests ways to shift the balance in numbers for women in the field. Included were new techniques on mentoring and more aggressive recruitment for women entering the field. (Source: Philadelphia Daily News, Thursday, March 15 2001.) Quick Stats Median annual salary for scientists and engineers in universities and four-year colleges by academic rank, 1999.
(Source: National Science Foundation, Study 1999)
Judging Jane In April 2001, Republican Jane Swift became the first pregnant active governor in U.S. history. Swift, who was elevated from Lieutenant Governor to Governor of Massachusetts, is currently the mother of a 2-_ year-old daughter and is expecting twins in June. Her short stint as governor, however, has led to harsh criticism and controversy. In 1996, Swift lost a bid for Congress, but was later appointed to one state agency, then to another. Paul Cellucci, then Acting Governor, tapped her as his running mate in the 1998 gubernational race. Her first few years in office proved to be rocky. An ethics panel found she created an “appearance of impropriety” by allowing aides to baby-sit her daughter, and fined her $1,250. She was also scrutinized for taking a state helicopter to her home for Thanksgiving. Since taking office, Swift has had to endure sagging approval ratings and harsh criticisms from opposing parties.House Speaker Thomas Finneran, a Democrat, said women with young children are asked more often than men about how they will manage their careers and home life. Said Finneran, “I don’t think women have been given a fair shake, those women who have entered into politics. There’s really a double standard. I think it’s a hideously unfair one.” Swift has not said whether she will run for a full term in 2002. Massachusetts has traditionally been a democratic voting state. If Swift chooses to run for election, she will surely have to overcome numerous obstacles to be victorious.
(Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, April 11, 2001. Steve Leblanc.)
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