The global media giants have elevated the list-making phenomenon to a new ideal. The annuals lists have generated much online discussion and interest; and we love them. From Forbes’ spotlight of up and coming talent with their annual ‘30 under 30’ list, the TIMES 100 most influential people in the world, and Bloomberg’s Billionaire Index, we are obsessed with lists. We put our idols and larger than life icons into neat lists that memorialize them with a new prestigious label to add to their portfolio. Yet we don’t seem to have a list to celebrate the exceptional moms who against the odds have risen to the pinnacle of their career track.
There’s a phenomenon called the “Motherhood Penalty” where women show a decrease in their earnings after having kids. Ironically, there is an observed “Fatherhood Bonus” where men actually earn more after having kids. A 2020 study has helped put a number to the long felt disparity but often not able to articulated by women.
However, Power Moms show us women who have navigated a high powered career and motherhood. They show us that despite the headwinds women face entering motherhood, we can succeed.
These moms are often celebrated alongside other high achieving women for their career identity without mention or celebration of their other identity as a mother. We want to celebrate both.
Three decades ago when I was growing up, there weren’t that many females in high profile public roles. The growth of women in board and in leadership positions have accelerated in the past decade. A surprising number of them are also moms. Although they remain the minority, women achieving career success and motherhood is both progress and sign of hope that we can have both. We can’t wait to see how the landscape evolves in the years to come.
[1] Nicholas Salter, PhD, "A Brief History of Female Fortune 500 CEOs", OSU.edu, March 31, 2021
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