Learning to Be Tough Beneath a Hardhat

The link in the headline is attached to an interesting question and answer story in The New York Times about a female CEO of a construction company. Halfway through reading it I wondered why the short sentence on the paper's homepage advertised the article by focusing on her role as a woman because the questions did not focus on it at all. However, the second half of the question and answer session does focus more on her gender. I find both the questions and answers alarming and interesting at the same time.

First, I was absolutely appalled that the reporter asked her if being a female and a minority helped her to win government contracts. I do not think a reporter would ask a man this question even if the man happened to be a minority. I also was somewhat appalled when she answered that it may help her with a couple of points. Does it set women back to acknowledge that sure being a woman and a minority has some benefits (can you even call it benefits?) when it comes to quotas? At least she mentioned that this was not the only reason she received the contracts.

Next, I found it very interesting that she was CEO and her husband was a Vice President within the company. I wonder how they decided who would take on what responsibilities and titles since they opened the company together.

I was appalled again when Ms. Warrior admitted that she used to take one of her male employees with her depending on the group that she was going to talk too. Again, helpful or hurtful? Obviously Ms. Warrior is brilliant and strong enough to build her own company so why does she need a man to help her navigate particular groups of people?

Finally, I appreciated that she is looking for other women to fill the vacant leadership roles in her company. We have discussed in class that it often seems like women do not take care of other women and it is nice to see that taking care of other women is one of her priorities.

I think this article is a good illustration of a woman trying to navigate a profession that has typically been considered a man's profession. In fact, I would argue one of the "manliest" professions. I think it proves that women are interested in all kinds of professions and are able to be successful in all kinds of professions. However, I also think this article begs the question - are women our own worst enemies? When we admit that we take men with us to navigate certain situations or when female news reporters talk about other women's clothing are we simply perpetuating the problem? I think if we are not necessarily contributing to the problem we are certainly not helping it.