Where Have All the Ladies Gone?

by Marian Schembari on May 14, 2010

My dad has this car. This incredibly awesome, fast, convertible, blue, manual transmission, loud ass car. It is also now currently 73 degrees in Old Greenwich, CT and I needed to go to Starbucks to get my productivity on. I took the car. So let’s review: Beautiful day, wind blowing in the hair as I drive sexy car (stick shift, ya’ll, remember that – I’m awesome) AND Carly Simon comes on the radio so I got all singing “You’re So Vain” whilst driving sexy car with my mad driving skillz.

No, this story doesn’t end in a car accident. It ends with me sitting in Starbucks thinking about how AWESOME my life is. I pretty much have the greatest job on the planet (yesterday I Googled “squid sex.” For work.), I work from home and sing Carly Simon in a fancy car in the sunshine. Did I mention I’m featured in the latest issue of Real Simple?

How is this relevant?

I’m a girl.

Girls Are Awesome Too

Naomi Dunford

For those of you who know me personally, I grew up with a super strong lady role model, majored in Gender Studies and regularly spew my “hardcore feminist” beliefs. So when I was reading a recent post on Daily Blog Tips called “Interview: 12 Top Online Entrepreneurs Share How Hard They Work” and not ONE of the was a woman I wanted to punch someone in the testicles.

Now, I’m a feminist through and through but I can’t STAND those women that give the movement a bad name. Those who think women deserve special treatment and that everyone is out to get us. Hey, just because it’s a list of men doesn’t mean the author did it maliciously. It doesn’t mean patriarchy is once again trying to bring us all down. So I commented nicely on the post saying:

This is a really fabulous post, but I’m a little miffed that there aren’t any women on this list! Are the top 12 online entrepreneurs really only men? I find that hard to believe…

The author, Daniel Scocco, responded:

I am sure there are some successful woman out there, but none of them came to my head when writing this post.

Marie Forleo

Um. Really? REALLY?! Wow. Okay, here it goes:

ALL women who have been kicking some serious ass online. Yeah, Darren Rowse of Problogger and Yaro Stark of Entrepreneurs-Journey and Dan Schawbel of Personal Branding Blog are all talented online entrepreneurs, but they are by no means the only ones and they are by no means better than the ladies.

So Why Recognize Them Separately?

Laura Roeder

After my anger subsided I thought, “Wow, maybe I should create some sort of site or organization to help women entrepreneurs online!”

But then again, there are already some great sites. Secondly, why is that needed? I realize organizations like this are necessary to help the F-movement but it annoys me that women still need separate groups to make sure we’re heard and supported. To that I say: NAY!

Seriously, look at what I’m doing RIGHT NOW. I’m expressing my extreme annoyance that women entrepreneurs aren’t appreciated unless they’re actively being recognized as women. WTF? Why does their need to be a separate category? Why wasn’t there a single woman in that rather large list of online entrepreneurs? WHY?! Honestly, someone answer me. I’m about to throw a temper tantrum.

**In case anyone wants more names, here’s an amazing list of women making money online. Take THAT bitches.**

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  • http://twitter.com/marianschembari/status/13989579119 Marian Schembari

    {latest post} Where Have All the Ladies Gone? http://bit.ly/aslxeY

  • http://twitter.com/defactopub/status/13990524024 De Facto Publishing

    RT @marianschembari: Where Have All the Ladies Gone? http://bit.ly/aslxeY

  • http://www.jargonwriter.com Melissa Breau

    I can't tell you why – but I can say I'm equally miffed. And his response to your polite comment was … even more enraging. But hey, take a deep breath and remember – YOU got to drive that kick-ass car in the sunshine while singing to Carly Simon.

  • kaharrisonadcock

    If no women came to mind when he wrote the column, perhaps he needs to do some self-reflection and consider how informed he really is. On the other hand, as long as women are considered to be a minority and in need of help, I will continue to try to build and make use of the network of people and organizations who want to recognize and promote women. That means applying for grants available only to businesses run by women, websites (like yours) that actively promote and empower women, and shaking down the feminist paradigm for support.

  • http://talkingshrimp.com/blog/ LBelgray

    It's a crazy oversight, and you're right, it happens all the time. Did you know that Marie is the ONLY female featured in the Tony Robbins “New Money Masters” series? There's one upside to being a token, though: you get to stand out. It's pretty cool to be the only this or only that of a group. Still, doesn't make it right.

    Anyway, thanks for bringing attention to this issue and to the particular mantard in question, and for featuring big beauty shots of three ladies I very much love and/or stalk. (Naomi's aware of this.)

    xoLaura

  • sukiebaxter

    I recently saw a magazine article about the wealthiest CEOs in Washington State. Only 3 were women. I sighed. I grew up believing that I am first and foremost a human being. Yes, I happen to be a woman. That doesn't mean I'm DIFFERENT, right? Wrong. Apparently, us girls DO have to work harder to get recognized in everything from sports to business. And I totally agree…why do women always have to be recognized as the first WOMAN to do something, or the top FEMALE entrepreneur, or the best paid FEMALE CEO…why can't we just be in the game with all the rest of 'em?

  • http://twitter.com/marianschembari/status/13997140355 Marian Schembari

    @AndrewWarner I wasn't complaining! Just saying it's a general problem. I wrote a post about it with some suggestions: http://bit.ly/aslxeY

  • aidancole

    Wow. Seriously? I did NOT know that about Marie. What a shame! This new site, Shatterbox.com, features lots of entrepreneurs in their 20s and it's pretty much split 50-50 male/female. Granted, the founder is a lady but STILL.

    Also, thanks for pointing out the photos. Has anyone noticed how HOT all these women are? So much for the stereotype that all business-y successful women are butch. Ha!

  • http://marianlibrarian.com Marian Schembari

    Wow. Seriously? I did NOT know that about Marie. What a shame! This new site, Shatterbox.com, features lots of entrepreneurs in their 20s and it's pretty much split 50-50 male/female. Granted, the founder is a lady but STILL.

    Also, thanks for pointing out the photos. Has anyone noticed how HOT all these women are? So much for the stereotype that all business-y successful women are butch. Ha!

  • http://marianlibrarian.com Marian Schembari

    It's very frustrating to say the least. Glad I'm not the only one that thinks this!

  • http://marianlibrarian.com Marian Schembari

    See, I wanted to give the guy the benefit of the doubt and then I read this: http://ittybiz.com/a-quick-lesson-in-online-ima…

    Sounds like a total asshat to me…

    But I agree with you about grants and stuff. I'm more than happy to promote and empower women (basically take advantage of the shit available to us BECAUSE we're women) but still… I just wish it weren't necessary.

  • http://marianlibrarian.com Marian Schembari

    HA! That I do!

  • kaharrisonadcock

    Crap. I just read that article. He is an asshat. Not to talk smack around town, but Monsieur Asshat seems to have a limp reed for a girlfriend, if she'd take an hour-long lecture about the how she chooses to spend her free time, poor thing. Assuming that's the sort of woman he chooses to associate with, it's no surprise that his perception of who makes up the world of entrepreneurs is somewhat limited.

    Purely,
    Kat

  • http://twitter.com/ryanrancatore/status/14006139467 Ryan Rancatore

    RT @marianschembari: Where Have All the Ladies Gone? http://bit.ly/aslxeY

  • http://thepalatepeacemaker.com Desi

    I want to drive around with you in your car, Muffin. Sounds like HEAVEN to me. SRRRRsly.

  • http://twitter.com/stratejoy/status/14049258132 Molly Hoyne

    Where Have All the Ladies Gone? http://bit.ly/aslxeY [SO TRUE!! Thanks for rocking this M!} via @marianschembari

  • http://www.stratejoy.com/ Molly Hoyne

    Shit.

    Honored to be on the list Marian. Thanks for standing up for us online ladies!!

  • http://marianlibrarian.com Marian Schembari

    You are SO welcome – thanks for being a fabulous role model for the rest of us!

  • http://marianlibrarian.com Marian Schembari

    And Muffin, I want you to drive around with me in your car. Duh.

  • http://marianlibrarian.com Marian Schembari

    Hahaha, so glad you agree!

  • http://twitter.com/marianschembari/status/14105843266 Marian Schembari

    Where Have All the Ladies Gone? http://bit.ly/aslxeY

  • http://lifeforward.onsugar.com/ Shayna

    This is an AMAZING post – because you are so right – one of the biggest hurdles for women in our work to be accepted in business as equals is the marginalization we experience when we are shoehorned into “The….Women” or “Women's … Group” lip service that means nothing except that whoever originally forgot about us now can feel less guilty (if he felt guilt at all, since at the end of the day he still doesn't see us as having the same qualifications as men)… ok, now I'm getting pissed all over again!

    Loving your blog :-)

  • http://lifeforward.onsugar.com/ Shayna

    Thanks! The separate but equal rhetoric is a major catch 22 — sometimes I think it was better when we were told to our faces that we weren't being promoted because we were women, than now!

    I'm adding your blog to the blogroll on Life: Forward – would love you to add me here as well :-) Looking forward to reading more here!

  • http://marianlibrarian.com Marian Schembari

    Shayna, I'm SO glad you feel the same way! As much as I respect organizations like The Women's National Book Association or Ladies Who Launch – the end result is still the same. We need something separate in order to be recognized. The sentiment behind these recognitions is nice, but my feeling is that while feminism is great and all, it's only really succeeded once it's become irrelevant.

    Thanks for stopping by! Your blog is pretty sweet as well ;-)

  • http://whitehottruth.com/ DanielleLaPorte

    I've been having the “how come the chick power bloggers get less coverage?” convo a lot lately. There's a lot to unpack in that one. Different dispositions, goals, tribes… Thanks for shining the spotlight.

  • David Siteman Garland

    Marian – Big fan of your thoughts (and first time commenter…woohoo).

    So I have an interesting perspective on this:

    1. My major in college was woman's studies (Yes, a straight white male in woman's studies).

    2. I host a TV show and Web Show for entrepreneurs and forward-thinkers where I interview big thinkers, authors, entrepreneurs, etc.

    So, I think it is crap (I agree with you). I think entrepreneurs/authors/whatever need to be recognized based on accomplishments and how interesting they are..regardless of gender.

    I'd say my guests on my show are a balance compared to some others.

    Here are a few of the great women I've interviewed:

    Amy Martin (Digital Royalty)
    Tara Hunt (author “The Whuffie Factor)
    Anita Campbell (Founder Small Biz Trends)
    Jessica Kim (Founder BabbaCo)
    Ria Sharon (My Mommy Manual)
    Shama Kabani (Marketing Zen)
    Sarah Evans (Sevans Strategy)
    Maxine Clark (Founder Build-A-Bear Workshops)
    Stephanie Bagley (Vaynermedia and Social Media Coordinator for the NHL)
    Patti Stanger (The Millionaire Matchmaker)
    Ashley Cook & Danielle Dankner (Ash & Dans)
    Kate McEachern (Cupkates)
    Dafna Michaelson (50 in 52)
    Vanessa Van Petten (Author & Radical Parenting)

    And there are many more. I hope they get more recognition in the future. Keep hustlin ;)

  • http://stacyboyd.wordpress.com Stacy Boyd

    Have I told you how much I love you? Thank you for this post. It made my morning.

  • http://marianlibrarian.com Marian Schembari

    Awww, right back atcha lady! So glad you liked, I really do think it's an important issue :)

  • http://marianlibrarian.com Marian Schembari

    WHOA. Straight male in women's studies? My world just collapsed. Go you! Those women sound fascinating, I'll be sure to check out the interviews. So glad you chose to comment and share those with us!

  • David Siteman Garland

    Haha, didn't mean to destroy it :)

    Just wanted to jump in as I think this is SO important.

  • Thu Nguyen

    I like @marianschembari: Where Have All the Ladies Gone? http://bit.ly/aslxeY

  • http://www.bloggingfor.info/ Thu Nguyen

    This is really a great article. I have yet to venture towards woman entrepreneurs but that's not to say that isn't in the back of my mind. Men are just dominating the pages. While gender is something which hasn't crossed my mind, you kind of made me think of this aspect. I appreciate that and will be following more on the diverse topics from both perspective. Thanks for the enlightenment.

  • http://twitter.com/thublogger/status/14482925145 Monique Wade Sno

    RT @bprofits: I like @marianschembari: Where Have All the Ladies Gone? http://bit.ly/aslxeY

  • http://marieforleo.com Marie

    Hey Lovely! First, I adore you for more reasons than I could ever list. Second, mucho thanks for having me in your top line-up. I'm beyond honored. It's a very juicy subject. One that frankly, I'm not 100% clear on. But I fully relish in the discussion and give you huge kudos for raising it. Love you!! ;)

  • http://marianlibrarian.com Marian Schembari

    Awwwww! Obviously the feeling is mutual. (And you are so welcome.)

  • http://marieforleo.com Marie

    Hey Lovely! First, I adore you for more reasons than I could ever list. Second, mucho thanks for having me in your top line-up. I'm beyond honored. It's a very juicy subject. One that frankly, I'm not 100% clear on. But I fully relish in the discussion and give you huge kudos for raising it. Love you!! ;)

  • http://marianlibrarian.com Marian Schembari

    Awwwww! Obviously the feeling is mutual. (And you are so welcome.)

  • http://twitter.com/marianschembari/status/27137893854 Marian Schembari

    @tiffsilverberg Did that ages ago the last time this happened. Which is why I'm sick of it happening. Here's the post: http://ow.ly/2Sbto

  • Pingback: Spread Your Damn Wings — Marian Schembari

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