Sherry Lansing, Billie Jean King and More
Posted: August 10, 2006, 09:56 AM by Leslie Grossman
First, thank you to the women who have taken time to comment on the WLE Blog -- most recently Sue Moore and Tanis Cornell. It is so great to get the conversation going about issues that are important to women and to comment on how the media portrays those issues. More often than not, those commenting in print seem locked in the past. They even interpret results of studies through "yesterday's" eyes, per the last blog. I URGE all of you, who are reading the WLE Blog, to take a few moments to comment and to take time to read the comments that many of you are taking the time to share. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Now for some good news -- I apologize for not blogging last week, when it occurred. My excuse is that I was too busy preparing for the WLE conference in Long Beach, CA, which was held this past Tuesday, August 8th. And, I have to say in my most biased opinion, it was superb! We've been trying to get Sherry Lansing, former chair of the Motions Picture Group of Paramount, for years. Under her watch, the biggest picture of all time - Titanic - was produced. And finally, Sherry graced the WLE stage as we presented her with the WLE VANGUARD Award. Wow! I pictured a very "tough" woman. Who else could survive many years at the helm of a major motion picture studio. Sherry was the very "picture" of grace, elegance, warmth and brilliance. Today she heads her own Foundation and in addition to supporting tremendous efforts in "health" research is on a mission to stop what she calls one of the current number one causes of bias - ageism. We hope to share Sherry's comments in an upcoming issues of the WLE enewsletter - The Exchange. Watch for it.
Whoops - now for the good news I mentioned before. Last week, a monumental event occurred. It was a front page story in NY, but I'm not sure it was big news everywhere. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) announced that they are adding Billie Jean King's name to The National Tennis Center, in Queens, New York. That, my dear friends, is the site of the biggest tennis event in America - The US OPEN. This is a BIG deal. And is truly a breakthrough for women - not to mention an extraordinary honor for Billie Jean King - who truly deserves it. #1 - To name a public space for a woman - is rare. I'm trying to think of other public places that been named for women - but I can't think of one. Can you? If you can, please share them with all of us.
Surely something must be named for Eleanor Roosevelt (I know there's a statue of her NYC) or Susan B Anthony. Who else? #2 - Billie Jean King was a catalyst in changing the world of sports for women. Besides being one of the greatest tennis players of her generation, she beat Bobby Riggs in the "Battle of the Sexes" on the court. I for one will never forget that day. As a young tennis player - I found it inspiring and extraordinary - and was one more turning point that helped to changed perceptions about women's capabilities. Billie Jean started playing on the public courts in Long Beach CA (the very city of this week's WLE conference), and has done so much to make tennis a sport of the "people" and to level the "money" playing field for women. (WLE wants to honor Billie Jean, so if any of you know her please put us in touch.) Congratuations Billie Jean! And congratulations USTA!!
It was a ground-breaking move on the part of an association that is led by insightful men...the kind of men we love! This is the kind of happening, along with the leadership of Sherry Lansing, that sends the message that for every step backward there is a step forward. Keep the faith! Let's just keep those steps forward increasing.
Reader Comments
Posted: August 31, 2006, 06:13 PM by Julie Fogg
I just wanted to congratulate Diana Mercer for being awarded a scholarship from NAWBO-LA to the UCLA Anderson School of Management, MDE Program for 2006/2007. NAWBO-LA is an amazing chapter of NAWBO and The MDE Program is a must program for serious professionals and entrepreneurs, alike. WLE members should consider joining NAWBO if they are not already members and they should absolutely investigate management development programs similar to what the MDE Program offers.
As a side note, I found both NAWBO and UCLA's MDE Program through WLE in 2005. WLE has opened MANY doors for me and I am a loyal fan of the program. Incidently, I am also a 2006 award recipient of the Make Mine a Million program, ALSO found through WLE. Thanks, WLE!
Posted: August 18, 2006, 04:14 PM by Diana Mercer
A Year's Journey, starting with WLE: In August 2005, I was at a real loss. I was tired of networking with lawyers, but didn’t know where else to turn. I got a Women’s Leadership Exchange invitation in the mail, and I thought “what the heck, I have no idea what this is, but it looks interesting and what’ve I got to lose?”
Since that day back in August, here’s the trajectory: At the WLE, I spoke with the volunteer at the National Association of Women Business Owners booth. Psyched by the women business owners’ energy at WLE, I figured I’d try NAWBO for a year. I went to a couple of mixers, but I was looking for a way to get more involved. Round about January 2006, my NAWBO newsletter had a notice about the Count Me In and Make Mine a $Million Business Award, so I figured I’d apply. As a finalist, I went to the NAWBO conference in San Francisco, and went from finalist to winner with a lot of painful growth in the 24 hours between first arrival at the Count Me In coaching session and the actual competition.
Because of the Make Mine a $Million Award, I was eligible to apply for the Cisco Smart Business Communications Solutions award, and we won. Soon, our office technology will be revolutionized. Meanwhile, Count Me In and Make Mine a $Million hooked me up with a terrific coach who’s been helping me with making the most of my networking efforts, and a mentor who helped me write professional ad copy for a promotional one-sheet I’m developing.
I’ve made friends through Make Mine a $Million and NAWBO, like Julie Fogg from Active Port in Long Beach, so we went to LA’s Largest Mixer together. Julie introduced me Bonique Edwards, who’s going to help me get more involved with NAWBO this year. I in turn was able to recommend a search engine optimization expert to Bonique. The connections and mutual assistance just seem to go around and around, with everyone I’m meeting helping me, and me helping them or others in turn. Julie also suggested I apply for a NAWBO scholarship to the UCLA Management Development of Entrepreneurs program, and told me how valuable the MDE program was to her own business and business mindset.
This year when I go to the 2006 LA Women’s Leadership Exchange, I’m going to hook up with the other Make Mine a $Million local winners since we’re all going, and I’m going to reconnect with the NAWBO connections I’ve made over the past 12 months. A chance encounter with a direct mail promotion for WLE has taken me a long, long way in just a year, and I sense that this is just the beginning.
Posted: August 10, 2006, 05:28 PM by A Special Shout Out to All the SUPERWomen Leaders
The WLE seminar at the LBCC was my first attendance to a women's organization conferece.
And I cannot tell you how INSPIRED and ENCOURAGED I am to REALize my passions!
Needless to say the speakers were phenomenal but the REAL source of my inspiration is actually all of you REAL Women who were sitting besides me at the tables. You were all so NICE... and so beautiful.
By the end of the day you were all like aunts and sisters to me.
How great it is for a fledgling like me to look upon you all to emulate! To have such SUPERWOMEN as my mentors...
I would like to express my gratitude to Ms Leslie and Ms Andrea for providing us the opportunity for such WARM Leadership
Exchanges.
I sincerely hope to cross paths with many of you beautiful women in the future.
PS I would like to acknowledge a special "Thank you!" to everyone at Ms Applegate's seminar for their support with my
CandyWipes! I will appreciate any further ideas and/or help you can offer (hannah@candywipes.com).
PPS It will be my great pleasure to include a small gift (CandyWipes organza) with any purchase made on www.candywipes.com for all the SUPERWOMEN of WLE.
PPPS
Three months ago before I knew anything about business I was fearless..
Yet when I began to experience the REAL world of business I became so discouraged I wanted to break down and cry.
However after meeting you REAL women in person I no longer feel lost and lonely but encouraged and ready to overcome any obstacle.
Once again thank you all for rekindling my passion.
Posted: August 10, 2006, 02:36 PM by WLE conference in Long Beach
The WLE conference in Long Beach was fantastic! This was my first time attending and I was so excited to see many woman come together and work together. Actually, I am a student coordinator for a program called, President's Ambassador's at Long Beach City College and my boss, Dr. Shields who is a great woman (her title is Public Relations and Marketing) told us that the WLE event will be a great experience for the Ambassador's. I know many of you are thinking, What is President's Ambassadors? President's Ambassadors are charged with representing the mission and image of the college to the commmunity. Ambassador's assist various campus departments, attend community outreach events, on-campus orientation, and registration. However, the most important outreach we do is, as Ambassador's we go to local elementarys, middle schools, and high schools to do presentations; visit high school career centers, speak in classrooms, and PROMOTE THE IDEA OF HIGHER EDUCATION AMONG KINDERGARDEN THROUGH 12th GRADE STUDENTS...and a lot more. I am a broadcasting major and I want to become a reporter. When I step in the WLE conference room, I felt a change in me. The WLE conference impacted me so much that I have decided that I want to start my own business- such as making my own TV Production like Oprah. There is many things in my mind and I can't wait to see all the positive changes I can make in this world and in my community. THANK YOU WLE FOR MAKING A CHANGE IN MY LIFE! I KNOW I CAN, I WILL, AND I CAN PUT MY IDEAS INTO ACTION!
"It does not matter what degree you have, but what can you do with your degree," said Mrs. Sweet
