Well, I have been contemplating this blog for some time now and am just at the point where I feel it is ready to take on a life of its own.
What is Wonder Women Execs? It all started as an glimmer of an idea a few years ago when I found myself at the ripe age of 42, newly married and expecting my first child. But wait, I thought at the time, I have work to do, a career to think of? I am an executive here. I don't have time for this. Granted I am being somewhat facetious (you will find that I do tend to the dramatic at times), but I truly did think first of how having a baby would effect my career, rather than how I would fit my career into my role as a Mom. Does this resonate with anyone? To emphasize this point, I remember very clearly having a conversation with Human Resources at my company where I with utter sincerity explained how I would only be taking 6 weeks of maternity leave because I could just work from home the second 6 weeks. No problem.
Of course, all of this changed dramatically and permanently once our baby Heather Rose made an appearance. I guess I am the embodiment of the cliche - all it took was that first glimpse of her tiny little body and beautiful, scrunched up face to change my world. In other words, she had me at hello. But now I had a dilemna on my hands - how was I going to be an executive pulling in the 60+ hour work weeks AND spend the quality time I wanted, no needed with my baby daughter?
Well, I tried - oh Lord, did I try. For 18 months, I suited up and off I went to the office pretending that I hadn't left my heart back at home. I would work full days, lunches at my desk so I could get home as soon as possible. If I was lucky I came home for lunch to breastfeed, otherwise, I had the pleasure of pumping in the back seat of my car in the executive garage. Now there is a visual. Once home, I would feed the baby, get dinner ready for my husband and stepson, put the baby to bed, and then get back on my computer until the wee hours finishing up on all the work I had yet to get done that day. Repeat. Clearly this was not sustainable.
My company required the face time in the office, and my baby needed me to be at home. Where was my choice in all of this? As it stood, I had one of two options. One, continue on the traditional, corporate executive path and miss out on watching my baby grow; or two, become a stay-at-home Mom and forgo the financial and intellectual stimulation I relished in my career. A Hobson's choice at best. That's when I got mad. (Note to readers: Anger is a great motivator.) Why did I need to give up one to have the other? Why did corporate America make it so hard for executive women to flourish in their careers and have a home life? Why couldn't I take my career path into my own hands? Why not, indeed.
And so Wonder Women Execs was born.
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Congratulations on taking the steps to make Wonder Women Execs a reality. Your story will undoubtedly resonante with the countless, talented women Executives who must face the work-life balance equation from a position having greater corporate visibility than most women (and frankly, many men!) in the workplace. There has to be an alternative to the challenges created by a double push on these career women as they are forced to compete between two competing ideals: of mother and devoted Executive leader. Wonder Women Execs is now the alternative and will become the standard. Well done.
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