Book celebrates wisdom, leadership of women in business

Edie Fraser is inspired by the way women help each other get ahead in the business world, she told a National Press Club audience Thursday, Oct. 19.

“What gives me hope is the deep friendships and connections of what we do to support one another,” she said. “We celebrate success on things like pay equity, women on boards and diversity.” 

She noted women CEOs have been very successful.

Companies run by “women CEOs  are 20% more profitable on the stock exchanges in return [on] investments,” she said.

Fraser wrote “Women Mean Business” to celebrate the wisdom and leadership of trailblazers. In the book, Fraser and her co-author, Robyn Freedman Spizman, present personal and professional insights from women who are working to transform the face of business, from technology to finance and the media. They discussed the book at the Oct. 19 Club Headliners Book event.

Fraser is chair of the board of the Women Business Collaborative. The organization began with a goal of getting 1 million mentors to help women succeed in business. It now has 2.5 million mentors. 

Three of the people profiled in the book joined the Club panel – Elizabeth Ralph, editor of Politico Magazine; Lisa Nicole Matthews, planning editor for U.S. News at The Associated Press and a former Club president; and Pamela Prince-Eason, CEO of Women’s Business Enterprise National Council.

Eason said it’s important for women to use their voice for change. She said she was brought up to accept others and what they brought to the table. She realized she was not using her voice effectively to help others.

"One thing I am probably most proud of is recognizing I have a voice,” Eason said.

Matthews was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1995. She used her reportorial skills to learn about the disease and become well versed enough in drug side effects to work with her physician on a treatment plan. She learned she could help others do the same to address their health care challenges. 

“I advocate for others in the workplace every day,” she said.

Matthews is proud of her career.

“I am blessed and grateful for each day,” Matthews said. “When I was 5, I would imitate Dan Rather. I wanted to be Dan Rather.  Dan Rather swore me in as president of the National Press Club. What gives me hope is little girl’s dream can come true.”

There’s no particular rush to achieve career goals, Ralph said.

When she took a year off between her junior and senior years of college, she was worried that she was behind because the rest of her class was out working. But it turned out no one really cares at what age you are first employed.

“Life is not a race,” Ralph said. “It’s finding your own path.”

She was inspired by the discussion, which was moderated by Club President Eileen O’Reilly.

“Every time I do an event like this, I leave with extra pep in my step,” Ralph said. “There is success and wisdom in the group.”