CONTACT: Brenda Reneau WynnFebruary 24, 2001 (405) 475-9966
For Every Woman, Every Day
WOMEN have emerged in the work force as more than a second income for their families. We have become able breadwinners and business owners while still being mothers, wives and community volunteers.
As the Governor's Conference for Women in the 21st Century approaches, I can't help but be grateful for the countless determined women who broke ground and paved the roads before us, and the men who helped them. It is right that we honor them, and ourselves, by gathering and sharing ideas to better meet the challenges of working women today and in the future.
As my friend, consultant Darcie Harris, appropriately says, once you know what it is you have to do, then answer this question - "Who will do what by when?" Knowing what to do is the easy part for most of us. How to get it all done is another story. (emphasis added)
To help put the importance of this conference in context, another friend, Jean Lehr, president of the Central Oklahoma Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), says, "There are thousands and thousands of business women in this state. I think a governor's conference for women that focuses on business issues is a great forum. This conference will build on the last few years of successful conferences that NAWBO has held in cooperation with Gov. Keating's office."
Whether we are signing checks at the grocery store or signing payroll checks for employees, we each have unique challenges. There will be women at the conference who have what might seem like luxuries - such as being afforded the time to structure herself for the job or career that best suits her. There will be women with burdens such as those who just need to work to keep food on the table. I remember a time, not so long ago, when I fell into the last category. As I look back, I see a clear picture of a young mother, recently divorced, who didn't know the right questions to ask, much less what resources might have been available to me through the support of other women. Hooray for progress, mutual respect and sharing!
Many of us are defined in part by the work we do. Some of us go to work out of necessity - others by choice. Some of us own a business while others make up the necessary work force. Each of us may or may not get the job of her choice, but all of us face similar challenges and decisions every day. I'm known for being late - which makes me begin too many meetings with an apology!
Some days, my biggest challenge is personal - getting to the cleaners, for example. Other days I'm faced with serious professional issues, like budget shortfalls and legislative considerations.
I hope next week's conference will serve as a marketplace of ideas and solutions for women in every category and at every level.
As we all struggle for answers, we cannot help but struggle also for purposeful work that accomplishes something important. Women entrepreneurs say that their greatest reward as business owners is control and independence, while their greatest challenge is being taken seriously.
We must pave the road for future women - roads that lead toward choices that enable women to put family first and choices that help and respect other women along the way. Regardless of income level or "place" at work, I especially hope that the conference lends a hand to the everyday woman, who gets through every day, working toward a better life for her family, herself and her fellow working woman.
###