OMG! Another Label!

Gender Discrimination, Gender Bias and now…Gender Fatigue.

I’m probably a little behind, until today I’d never heard of “Gender Fatigue.” Being the curious person that I am, I had to find out what gender fatigue was. Google is a beautiful thing. Where would I be without Google? Probably blissfully unaware of nauseating terms like, “gender fatigue.” Have we stopped using the term “branding?” Note to self, Google.

In a recent study by Elisabeth Kelan, Ph.D., from King’s College London “Gender Fatigue: The Ideological Dilemma of Gender Neutrality and Discrimination in Organizations,” published in the Canadian Journal of Administrative Science. Dr. Kelan found that workers acknowledge gender discrimination is possible in modern organizations, but at the same time maintain their workplaces to be gender neutral. Dr. Kelan notes, “Gender fatigue is caused by workers not acknowledging that bias against women occurs. The problem with gender fatigue is that it prohibits productive discussion regarding inequalities between men and women, making gender bias difficult to address. Future studies should explore what happens to gender fatigue over time and whether practical strategies can be developed to shape the way in which people in organizations speak about gender.” The study conducted in 2003-2004, included 26 men and women from two information communication technology (ICT) companies. To this, I say “whatever!” I have one or two friends in the ICT field and never have I been treated like a “stupid girl.” If Dr. Kelan had chosen the Automotive Industry, I might have viewed her study differently. ;-)

Women in the Labor Force: A Databook 2009 Edition published by The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics cites, that in 2008 women accounted for 51% of all persons employed in management, professional, and related occupations, somewhat more than their share of total employment at 47%. Further research from The World Economic Forum’s 2009 Gender Gap Report states, “No country in the world has yet managed to eliminate the gender gap.” But the report also states, “Out of the 115 countries covered in the report since 2006, more than two-thirds have posted gains in overall index scores, indicating that the world in general has made progress towards equality between men and women.”

If we look at statistics from the United States and the World Economic Forum, perhaps we should hold-off on using yet another label that divides the genders and focus our energies upon avenues to close the gender gap. Just a thought.

Resource For Women’s Health

The Office on Women's Health (OWH) was established in 1991 within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its Vision is to ensure that "All Women and Girls are Healthier and Have a Better Sense of Well Being." Its mission is to "provide leadership to promote health equity for women and girls through sex/gender-specific approaches." The strategy OWH uses to achieve its mission and vision is through the development of innovative programs, by educating health professionals, and motivating behavior change in consumers through the dissemination of health information.

1-800-994-9662 or 1-888-220-5446 for the hearing impaired. Trained English- and Spanish-speaking Information and Referral Specialists will find and order free health information or provide organizational referrals to assist you with any health questions. NWHIC's phone lines are open Monday through Friday, 9AM to 6PM EST (excluding Federal holidays).

Woman Of The Month ~ Sonya LaRae

Sonya LaRae

CEO, LaPaz Image/Event Consultants

What comes to mind when you think of the word Diva? Probably not humility, grace or selfless giving. And then there is Sonya LaRae, a woman who redefines the word Diva. Sonya divides her time between running LaPaz Image/Event Consultants and donating her gift to image seminars for young women.

When we decided to start a series on women of interest, Sonya LaRae immediately came to mind. We had set up to do a phone interview and had scheduled 30 minutes. After 2 hours it was only out of necessity that we ended the interview.

As Sonya began to speak of her early childhood spent in New York, it was easy to assess that Ms. LaRae was far from what anyone could describe as a typical Diva. Raised by her mother, at the tender age of 10, her family moved from New York to Texas. In her own words, it was a culture shock. A Hispanic girl with blue-green eyes was an unlikely fit, but with fashion as her passion Sonya adapted to her new environment. She attributes her mother’s strength for her own ability to overcome life’s difficulties and Sonya has had one or two.

Sonya tells that she has always helped friends and family dress for different occasions but this was always just for fun, something that she enjoyed. At 17, Sonya accompanied her mother to a seminar. She had designed an outfit, last minute for the occasion and unknowingly this would set her course. A woman at the seminar spotted Sonya’s outfit and wouldn’t give up until Sonya told her where she’d gotten the outfit. An embarrassed 17 year old quietly stated that she’d designed it herself. There the seed for LaPaz Image/Event Consultants was planted.

In 1999 LaPaz Image/Event Consultants came to fruition. The company has afforded Ms. LaRae experiences that by her own admission she’d never of had. Living the good life and working at her first love, in 2002 she almost lost it all. After what should have been minor surgery, Sonya was left paralyzed. It was four years before she would walk again but none of it stopped her from pursuing her passion. Ask Sonya why she’s love fashion and you’d expect to hear the typical and you’d be wrong. Ms. LaRae is driven to educate people about self-worth and her love of fashion comes from the knowledge that looking good to yourself equals feeling good about yourself.

La Paz means The Peace and the company motto is:
“Where Everything Is Fabulous!” We think Sonya LaRae is rather fabulous!