Four women, who've successfully balanced work and family, reveal why they steadfastly refuse to take a guilt trip
Four women, who've successfully balanced work and family, reveal why they steadfastly refuse to take a guilt trip
Four qualified and talented women, who have walked the tightrope between professional and personal commitments with panache, share a conversation on what it means to be a working woman and a working mom.
Why did you choose to be a working mother?
Carol Evans (president, Working Mother Media): I grew up watching my mother work at home and at office. She had taken a break for 15 years from work, and after this break she was not confident about working again. I encouraged her and gave suggestions on things like what she could wear to work, which did boost her confidence. My mother is my inspiration.
Jackie Glenn (chief diversity officer and senior director of human resources, EMC): My mom raised 10 kids on her own! Hence, raising two girls and juggling a career did not seem like a big deal to me.
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Stories to share: (left to right) Jackie Glenn, Tracy Ann Curtis, Carol Evans and Rohini Anandu00a0 at the advancement of Women Global Conference Pic/ Ramesh H S |
How do you balance your professional and personal life?Carol: I must confess that my company is very supportive. I work on the weekdays but weekends are completely dedicated to my kids and family.u00a0
Tracy Ann Curtis (senior manager, Cisco): Maybe the fact that I am not a mother makes it easier. I spend most of my free time with my two dogs, who demand all my attention!
Rohini Anand (senior vice president and chief diversity officer, Sodexo): I find things a lot easier now, since both my girls are grown up. I travel on work at least four days in a week. I used to find it quite difficult to balance my personal life initially. But I have a very supportive husband, who has gone the extra mile to make sure that our kids get quality time. My only two priorities in life are my family and my work. I hardly socialize.
Jackie: My family is the sole reason why I do what I do. My only mantra is faith, family and career, in that order. I realised that I was being a better mom when I working and that I wasn't doing any favour to my child by not working.
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What is your take on the guilt that most working women burden themselves with?u00a0
Carol: I believe that when you don't find balance, you need to seek balance. It is important to look at the larger picture of life. Every woman is valuable and nothing should take that value away. Being a working mother can be sometimes physically challenging and emotionally draining. At that point, taking a break would be a good idea but make sure you don't give up easily.
Tracy: I do understand that an Indian woman constantly wrestles with a lot of issues. But it is important for women to face the fact that by working you are being independent and making your life more meaningful.
Rohini: Indian women are very talented. Women have to realise their potential and live their dream.
