A Woman's Place

Not that long ago, a woman’s place used to be in the home raising children and making meals. But that was in another galaxy a long long time ago. Things have changed rapidly and radically. Women are no longer relegated to the sidelines or backrooms of businesses and organizations anymore.

I recently attended a banquet to celebrate the accomplishments of a very remarkable group of women in Dakota County, Minnesota. Each of these leaders has carved out an enviable track record in the worlds of business and industry, education and community involvement.

It was the annual banquet for the Dakota County Exceptional Businesswomen of the year awards. The nominations were reviewed in December by a panel of judges assembled by the Dakota County Tribune and This week newspapers.

These twelve accomplished women have demolished the old stereotype of the docile little woman ever eager to please her man. They come from a wide variety of occupations. But what they all have in common is a thirst for success and, more importantly, a willingness to help others. These women represent the very best of the best in their respective fields.

Anyone familiar with the pecking order of organizations today knows that the old 80/20 rule is passé. It’s long since become a statistic of the past. The new equation is now 90/10. Ninety percent of the members allow the top ten percent to do most, if not all, of the work. Leadership resides in that top ten percent. These women represent the top one percent of that 10 percent.

           

Young people today, especially young women, would be wise to observe and emulate the work and life goals of these women if they want to know the secret to their success. One common trait among them is a willingness to give back to the community and a readiness to go beyond the norm to accomplish their goals. They have all failed at one point or another in their lives. But they have never let failure define them.

All of them are passionate about their community, their careers and helping others. They all share a willingness to mentor and shepherd others in their chosen field. Together and individually they have made a significant impact on their community through their involvement.

One woman admitted that when she started out in business she wanted to emulate the men…until another woman took her aside and said she could do it all…as a woman and still be true to herself.

Whether they’re alpha females or not they are one formidable group of women.  One of them was sitting next to me at our table. She was Vice President of Dakota County Technical College for more than twenty-five years. She raised over a million dollars as an endowment for student scholarships. She was heavily involved in Rotary projects as well as many other educational and community organizations.

It didn’t take an award to recognize just how hard the woman has worked all of her life in education, business, the community and politics.  She’s one heck of a leader, a mother, a grandmother …and a wonderful life partner too.