October 20, 2008
August 19, 2007
The Only Woman
This blog is conceptualized as a collection point...for stories about being the only woman in a business setting.
I'll start with one experience that I know I'll never forget...it was my first Board meeting. I arrived early and was standing by a table with coffee and rolls. A male Board Member came bustling in (he and I were the only two people in the room). As he passed me, the male Board Member said, "Hey, Hon, would you get me a cup of coffee." It wasn't a question...it was a command.
I confess, a number of responses crossed my mind. Like, "Hey, I'm the new V.P. and Corporate Officer." or "Can I fix your tie, too?" In the end, I opted for graciousness and took him his cup of coffee.
As the other Board Members began to arrive, I watched this guy watch me...he just couldn't figure out why I was still there. When the Chairman came in and motioned everyone to the table...and I started moving in that direction with the others...this guy had the most quizzical expression on his face. When I sat down, I thought he was going to ask me to leave.
Then, the Chairman introduced me and the guy nearly had a stroke! No kidding! A vein in his forehead became so prominent it was scary...and his jaw muscle was "jumping." Finally, he mouthed the words "I am so sorry" to me.
I've got a million of these stories...and I'm betting you do, too.
Let's put them together for visibility. The time is right!
I'll start with one experience that I know I'll never forget...it was my first Board meeting. I arrived early and was standing by a table with coffee and rolls. A male Board Member came bustling in (he and I were the only two people in the room). As he passed me, the male Board Member said, "Hey, Hon, would you get me a cup of coffee." It wasn't a question...it was a command.
I confess, a number of responses crossed my mind. Like, "Hey, I'm the new V.P. and Corporate Officer." or "Can I fix your tie, too?" In the end, I opted for graciousness and took him his cup of coffee.
As the other Board Members began to arrive, I watched this guy watch me...he just couldn't figure out why I was still there. When the Chairman came in and motioned everyone to the table...and I started moving in that direction with the others...this guy had the most quizzical expression on his face. When I sat down, I thought he was going to ask me to leave.
Then, the Chairman introduced me and the guy nearly had a stroke! No kidding! A vein in his forehead became so prominent it was scary...and his jaw muscle was "jumping." Finally, he mouthed the words "I am so sorry" to me.
I've got a million of these stories...and I'm betting you do, too.
Let's put them together for visibility. The time is right!
