The Secret: Women are Fabulous at Economics and Math. Now Go Get Your Award!
Posted: April 24, 2007, 11:28 AM by Leslie Grossman
The news that Harvard University Professor Susan Athey, 36, won the praised John Bates Clark Medal - for the Nation's Most Promising Economist Under Age 40 - defies Lawrence Summers statement that got him fired as President of Harvard. However, most important, her receipt of this award will create new opportunities for women in economics and related fields as it sets the Law of Attraction (of "The Secret" fame) into action.
You, of course, recall that former Harvard Prez Summers, who ironically was also a Professor of Economics, ignited public fury by saying that women may not have the same innate abilities in math and science as men in explaining why fewer women succeed in math/science careers.
First, Congratulations to Professor Athey. (WLE Keyholders and readers, please check out the Wall Street Journal - April 21, 2007 to get the full details of Professor Athey's brilliant work.) Receiving this award is BIG for women in the field of economics and other fields less friendly to women.
Second, please don't tell me that awards are not important. That's the usual female wisdom. Often we modestly say: we don't need to be recognized. We just want to do a good job. Fa-get-about-it! Awards are critical. They make our achievements more visible to the world at large and especially to young women. Those awards trigger the Law of Attraction. If you haven't read "The Secret" yet, it's time you did. The more we believe that we will achieve, the more we achieve, etc. etc. etc. And part of believing in yourself, is seeing others doing it.
Oh by the way, Prof Athey is not someone sitting alone in an ivory tower focusing 100% of her time on developing economic theories. She is a wife and mother to two young children. And she spends a considerable amount of her time encouraging and recognizing women's participation and success in economics. In other words, she has a full life. And like many of us, she is out there supporting other women to be successful.
Again, congratulations, Professor Athey, for everything you've been doing - even before you received this award. And, please don't be modest!!! Shout it to the world!!!
-- Leslie Grossman, Cofounder, Women's Leadership Exchange
Reader Comments
Posted: April 24, 2007, 11:54 AM by Mary Schnack
Thanks Leslie! As part of my Public Relations practice, I encourage my clients (usually women, but not always) to seek out award opportunities--and then publicize it when they get the award! But this can be like pulling teeth. As a newsletter editor for a variety of businesses and organizations, I can tell you that we put out a call for people to send in their awards to us--and we receive nothing. So WLE women! Go for those awards. And when you get them--let us know.
I'd like to start a string here where anyone reading this writes in and lets us know what award they have won. Even though this one is three years old--I'll start--because I was so proud to win the SBA Women in Business Advocate award for Arizona and Region IX in 2004.
Next?
Add Your Comment
