Spring Break
Athens women pump leadership qualities, regardless of gender
KATE PARHAM For The Red & Black
Issue date: 3/25/09 Section: News
Ann Hollifield, the daughter of a female military officer during World War II, was raised under the assumption that she could do anything.
However, when she decided that she wanted to work in a newsroom, she was told that she was "unnatural."
"A woman journalist is roughly as feminine as a roller derby queen," she was told.
Today, Hollifield is the Thomas C. Dowden Professor of Media Research and the head of the department of telecommunications in the Grady College.
More than 30 students gathered in the Tate Reception Hall Tuesday to hear Hollifield and other successful women share their experiences during Women in Leadership, sponsored by the University Leadership Resource Team.
"Good leadership is good leadership, regardless of gender," Hollifield said.
Heidi Davison, mayor of Athens and panelist, said women differ in their leadership approach.
"I don't think that good leadership is a matter of gender, but there is a difference in the way women may approach things," Davison said. "Women are more nurturing and collaborative in the way they work."
Some panelists discussed facing problems with stereotypes in the workplace and touched on the importance of diversity in the workplace.
Susan van Gigch, assistant director of Food Services and Retail Operations, can still remember the disappointment she felt on her first day of work in a leadership position, when someone assumed she could only be in an inferior role.
"Are you the new hostess?" a fellow employee asked her, after she introduced herself. "I knew then that there was going to be a battle with stereotypes, but you just have to lead by example, just pound the pavement everyday to say 'I'm here!'" van Gigch said.
While the importance of diversity seemed to be a common thread among the panel, balance was also named an important aspect of leadership.
"It's all about being manly and as rough and tough as the guys, but I think we need to be ourselves. That balance is important," said Debra Kocher, former vice president at CNN International.
However, when she decided that she wanted to work in a newsroom, she was told that she was "unnatural."
"A woman journalist is roughly as feminine as a roller derby queen," she was told.
Today, Hollifield is the Thomas C. Dowden Professor of Media Research and the head of the department of telecommunications in the Grady College.
More than 30 students gathered in the Tate Reception Hall Tuesday to hear Hollifield and other successful women share their experiences during Women in Leadership, sponsored by the University Leadership Resource Team.
"Good leadership is good leadership, regardless of gender," Hollifield said.
Heidi Davison, mayor of Athens and panelist, said women differ in their leadership approach.
"I don't think that good leadership is a matter of gender, but there is a difference in the way women may approach things," Davison said. "Women are more nurturing and collaborative in the way they work."
Some panelists discussed facing problems with stereotypes in the workplace and touched on the importance of diversity in the workplace.
Susan van Gigch, assistant director of Food Services and Retail Operations, can still remember the disappointment she felt on her first day of work in a leadership position, when someone assumed she could only be in an inferior role.
"Are you the new hostess?" a fellow employee asked her, after she introduced herself. "I knew then that there was going to be a battle with stereotypes, but you just have to lead by example, just pound the pavement everyday to say 'I'm here!'" van Gigch said.
While the importance of diversity seemed to be a common thread among the panel, balance was also named an important aspect of leadership.
"It's all about being manly and as rough and tough as the guys, but I think we need to be ourselves. That balance is important," said Debra Kocher, former vice president at CNN International.
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FOA
posted 3/26/09 @ 6:05 AM EST
Ah yes, male chauvinist pigs! One of the more colorful sayings of the 70's.
Makes me want to hear Abba!
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