forward change come naturally to women. These include the
Values Women Bring
ability to manage resources, resolve conflicts, work collab-
to the Table
oratively, ask questions, listen and learn from the experience
of others, and act with compassion for the benefit of all,
Working together collaboratively is one
including generations to come.
of the distinguishing qualities that women
In the eyes of Linda Tarr-Whelan, author of Women
bring to the workplace. “Women encour-
Lead the Way: Your Guide to Stepping Up to Leadership and
age others to be involved in the decision-
Changing the World, women like those in Mothers Acting
Alisa Gravitz
making process and view consensus
Up, who organize on the grassroots level in their communi-
as an important element in reaching a
ties and beyond, are change agents for a better future. She
decision,” observes Gravitz.
points to research conducted by Rutgers University’s Center Her list of other proven traits that women bring to the
for American Women and Politics, which demonstrates the arena of green activism includes: a holistic and integrative
benefits of empowering women in leadership capacities. approach to problem solving; compassion, that translates
“Women make a decided differ- into a sincere interest in people; and a
ence when they come to constitute
Women are able to effect a
more encompassing view of stakehold-
30 percent of a board of directors, ers’ return on investment.
executive management, political
difference in how events unfold
“Women ask questions not just
body or any organization,” notes
when they comprise 30 percent
because they want to know the story of
Tarr-Whelan, a former ambassador
and U.S. representative to the United
of any organization—that’s
the human being behind the invest-
ment,” advises Gravitz, “but, because
Nations’ Commission on the Status the tipping point. they care about more than the return
of Women during on the dollar.”
the Clinton administration. “Only then “Women are socialized to be listeners and view things
does the dialogue change; only then do relationally,” adds Dr. Linda Stillman, a specialist in cultural
women’s voices get heard and their ideas communication, interpersonal relations and gender issues.
acted upon. Until we reach this tipping She also served as the permanent UN Nongovernmental
point, all of us have good reason to be Organization (NGO) representative for Soroptimist Interna-
concerned about the missing priorities, tional, a volunteer international women’s organization for
Linda Tarr-Whelan
qualities, talents and experience that international women’s issues.
women can contribute.” Stillman observes that women tend
to approach leadership through their
relationships. “Women converse to build
Accomplishments Despite Uneven Odds
connections and seek multiple options
Examples abound of what women’s representation in elected
before reaching decisions or taking ac-
office can achieve. In the United States, women-friendly
tion,” she explains. This behavior reflects
policies have been written into national legislation ever since
a more democratic and cautious approach
Dr. Linda Stillman
they began winning congressional seats, tackling such issues
to doing business, as recently highlighted
as violence against women, child support, welfare, equal
in a Washington Post article on the banking industry’s missing
wages and unemployment benefits.
gender balance. It led: “The first rumblings of a gender revo-
lution are underway in an industry long controlled by men.”
Yet, today, women account for only 17 percent of Con-
gress’ 535 seats. During the last decade, our country has lost
ground in women’s political representation, plummeting from
Cultivating Long-term Perspective
47th in the world to 71st, behind Iraq (33rd), the Democratic
In an organization like Holistic Moms Network (HMN),
People’s Republic of Korea (57th) and Sudan (65th). Rwanda
recently made global history when it became the first nation
electing more women than men to parliament.
The staff and board of directors of Green America
O
S
CAP
I
(formerly Co-Op America), a nonprofit organization deploy-
N
ing the power of the marketplace to solve social and envi-
E
C G
ronmental problems, is now beyond the 30 percent tipping
ap
i
n
g
point. Women comprise 70 percent of its board of directors.

Executive Director Alisa Gravitz has been nurturing her



E
c
o
s
c
Landscape & Tree Care

activism and leadership talents since collaborating with her
5
1
8th-grade classmates to organize a recycling center and envi-
3
-
3
2
2
6
6 4
-
5
ronmental education classes in the 1970s.
“I realized early on that when you work together, you
can do anything,” quips Gravitz.
May 2009
21
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