I approached the concierge desk at the Marriott where the event was being held and asked where to go. The concierge's response: "Just follow all those men in suits". Oh goody. I guess I shouldn't be too surprised that the event would be mostly men, still doesn't thrill me.
"Dinner" was station-based during a networking reception. Although my mother spoke to and introduced me to a number of women (including a great new contact at Aon), probably 75% of the attendees were men. Didn't take me long to realize that I should have suggested one of my single friends go instead of me!
Sitting down during the dessert/awards portion, I flipped through the program. There were a total of 30 finalists in 6 different categories: medium and large private, medium and large not-for-profit, and medium and large public companies. Of the 30 finalists, 7 were women and 5 were in my mom's category: medium sized not-for-profit company. Despite the odds, a man won her category along with all 5 other awards. Four of the six winners mentioned a wife and children in their acceptance speech. No husbands or other partners mentioned at all. I believe every winner acknowledged his wife as the one who keeps him sane and balances out a crazy work life. I wonder, if I were to make that speech someday, would I be acknowledging a husband who keeps me sane? Because Dan does. I've also been told that I wear the pants in our relationship since we were in high school...guess that's just one more way my career and lifestyle maybe more traditionally reflects a male partner than a female one.
I read my mom's acceptance speech over her shoulder. It was pretty easy despite the dim light because she typed it up big enough to be able to read without her glasses. Part of her speech, and her bio in the program, was about her dedication to mentoring young women in the finance field. The final line of her speech mentioned one of her proudest moments being when her daughter (aka me) told her that she was a great role model as a professional woman. Now, I've recently discovered that my mom likes to paraphrase what I say and I'm not certain I've ever said that to her face, although I probably should have. She is a great role model as a successful female professional, although for many years I held a different opinion on her mothering skills and I'm still working through that one.
Needless to say, I was annoyed by the end of the evening and my mom was pretty shocked as well to see a full roster of male winners. I don't think its a reflection of the women in the CFO position not being good enough to qualify, but probably rather the lack of women in a CFO position period. My mom acknowledges that she feels very isolated at this point in her career being one of the few women her age in that kind of professional position. Her peers in the workforce are less likely to be at that level because so many of them took time off to have kids-"the mommy track". She wonders if it will be the same way when I'm her age.
More than at any other point in my life, last night made me to want to be a CFO-a career that I've never, ever considered. Not because I think its a super cool job, it isn't, but just because I know that I could be good enough to deserve to win one of those categories. Believe me, I think my mom is too and probably any number of other female CFOs as well.
I'm interested to see how I reflect back on last night after I finish reading Lean In and participate in the Aon women's network bookclub on it next Thursday. Maybe I'll set a personal record for blogging twice in a week!
