Why should we care?

Women are good for the bottom line. By increasing diversity in senior management positions and providing opportunities for women to learn leadership skills, a company can maximize its potential in an increasingly competitive world. On average, Fortune 500 companies with the highest percentages of female corporate officers saw a 35.1% higher return on equity and 34% higher return to shareholders than companies with the lowest percentage of female corporate officers.1 Women are outpacing men in educational attainment and thus are equipped for the new jobs of the 21st century. The qualities women bring to the table – inclusion, communication across lines of authority, superior listening skills, and relationship building – are the same qualities necessary to succeed in today's economy and global marketplace.

H.R. professionals are potentially facing a work force shortage.
By implementing innovative policies, leadership development and mentoring programs, H.R. professionals can give women the tools needed to move into leadership roles.

• Policies that address the realities of people's lives will mean greater productivity for women and men.
• Women represent nearly half of the work force and are an untapped resource with management potential.
• Women are natural leaders for the new economy.
• A more "female-friendly" community will avoid a local brain drain of women, now in the majority of recent college graduates.

Individuals can take the lead.
If you lead in your own life, you'll become a wave in a sea of change.

• Children, aging parents and domestic responsibilities are not exclusively women's issues.
• When more women hold managerial and professional positions, society will begin to view women as leaders.
• Women need to help other women succeed.

¹ The Bottom Line: Connecting Corporate Performance and Gender Diversity, Catalyst, 2004.