J.T. Long, who attended last week's SacWomen event where we explored the topic of Female Stereotypes in the Media, suggests we continue discussion of the topic. She writes:

I think we need to continue the conversation. Beyond exploitative ads, what are the complex reasons that women take less pay and how could we as a society make those choices about roles, moving in and out of the workforce and balancing priorities easier?

First I think it takes a positive role model to show that opening opportunities for women is not charity, it is bringing new, diverse and unique skills to the world. That helps people of every gender.

You raise some great issues, J.T. SacWomen readers, please weigh in on this...

From my viewpoint, I am in awe of women who manage to juggle a relationship, child raising and a career. I managed, despite lots of complications, to do all three, but never more than 2 at one time. And even still, remembering the mornings when I had an important meeting at work and one of my children woke up with a 103 degree fever, gives me chills. Choosing, as a single mother, between retaining the job that keeps food on our table and caring for my sick child, that's a choice that no one should have to make and yet thousands of women do every day.

And as for opening new opportunities for women, I think we are entering a very exciting era for women. Judy Kjelstrom mentioned it at last week's SacWomen event - we are seeing women become the majority in college-legel and beyond educational institutions. Pretty soon, corporations will have no choice than to hire graduating women as there will not be enough educated men to take all the open positions.

Women are getting more educated, women will make more money, women will decide where to invest their time and money. Times are changing.

Let's hope that these smart,educated, high-achieving women, won't spend all their time supporting (workwise, emotionally, financially) their less-aspiring men. If these women are going to be the breadwinners, then they need to demand that the men take up the slack in other areas - child-rearing?

Please send your feedback on this subject. I will add as a comment or maybe as additional posts.

Gillian Parrillo
SacWomen