Are We There Yet?

Something I missed in the last two weeks: The CEO of VerticalResponse posted an amusing but potent retort on the Inc. blog to Miss Venezuela's comment -- made during the Miss Universe contest Q&A -- that women and men are treated equally in the corporate sector:

“I do believe that we have reached the same level that men have. We must realize that there are no longer any barriers amongst us.”

Vertical Response CEO Janine Popick shares some interesting stats on women in leadership roles:

Only 13 percent of the Inc. 5000 list this year was made up of women.

Of the Forbes 67 Most Powerful People, just three are women.

In 2009 there are only 4 women governors.

Fifteen Fortune 500 companies are run by women, which is up an astonishing three from last year.

Another breakthrough for women this year? Ursula Burns is the first black women to be appointed to top post of a Fortune 500 company, Xerox.

A resolution for 2010: Let's pump up the numbers in this list!

A Changed Man

Interesting post in PhilanTopic this week from Larry McGill, who is the Vice President of Research at the U.S.-based Foundation Center.

In the post, Mr. McGill recounts his experience attending an international meeting of women's funds focused on measuring the impact of social change philanthropy. His personal reflection does a good job of capturing the energy and, dare I say, magic that is in the air when committed, focused, talented women leaders are in one room to discuss solving the world's most pressing problems:

"What I discovered was that it was impossible for this man -- an outsider to the group in so many ways (in terms of gender, upbringing, experiences, and unearned advantages social, economic and political) -- to work side-by-side with a group of women of such deep commitment and accomplishment without being personally affected, indeed "changed." For me, courage and strength have a new face -- in fact, more than two dozen new faces. And even that isn't quite right -- because linked inseparably with each of these remarkable women are the lives of countless other women whom they would tell you are the most remarkable of all." (emphasis mine)

Have you been changed by a women's fund in 2009?