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He Said She Said

Photos by Lisa K. Miller
Robert Judith A.
Tussey Habert

He Said She Said

Question: How do men feel about powerful women? I do a lot of interviews with women in extremely powerful positions.
Answer: There’s no simple ‘one size fits all’ answer. During the course of our interview, I will often ask them how they are
Generationally I see a big difference. The Greatest treated in relations to the men in their company. This is especially true
Generation (my parents) are having a more difficult time when the woman is in a field that was formerly male-dominated. I am
adjusting than Boomers. And each succeeding generation happy to say that the older women will talk about how it used to be, but
seems to be much better informed and prepared for how how much better it is today. So, I do believe that we have come a long
society is changing on all fronts; especially those regarding way baby! (that comment just totally dated me) Most of the younger
women. women don’t understand the struggles that us older broads have had
We boomers grew up in an era of massive change that to overcome. I can remember in the old days, (yes the ‘80’s) I was a
pushed and shoved all of us to think more globally. Women Technical Representative for Canon USA. In this position, I traveled
were supposed to be homemakers, and the single income around the country doing trade shows and trying to convince Nikon
family was in full swing. It didn’t last. Women’s rights, the users to convert to Canon. It was a great job, I was in my early 20’s, I
ERA (actually began in 1923 as part of the first wave of the got to travel all over, but ran into one huge obstacle. While at the trade
Suffragettes), NOW, the Civil Rights Movement all exploded shows lines would form of consumers wanting to ask technical questions
in the 60s. Strong women taking a stand against the male- about the equipment. In front of me, there was never a line. At one of
dominated norm was not met with acceptance. As we move the shows, the lines were so long that a gentleman came over to me to
through the rest of the century and up to the current time, ask me a very entailed question regarding a technical problem he was
change has been painfully slow. Civil Rights along with having with his camera. I answered his question, and he looked at
Women’s Rights has never had the support and dedication me amazed. He walked away, but came back about ten minutes later
to see these issues to fruition. Until now. and said “I have to apologize to you,” I asked why? He said, “I had no
Women rose to their feet and demanded a seat at the intention of coming to you with that question, but the lines were too
table. The 2018 election saw a sea change in how women’s long for the male reps, and I was in a hurry, so I came to you.” I smiled
rights were going to be addressed. With the rise of Me Too! understanding that this was usually the case, so I wasn’t going to hold
and other groups the statement was clear: We’re here, and it against him. He then added “I come to these shows all the time and I
we aren’t going away. From my vantage point, as a 68-year- have asked that question of countless Tech Reps, and no one knew the
old Boomer, I applaud every gain. A majority of my friends answer. You solved a problem for me that no one else could, so I’m sorry
in this demographic feel the same. But there are still too I judged you based on gender.”
many that don’t get it. Will they ever? Doubtful. Would this happen today? Maybe, maybe not. I am certain it is less
Let’s not talk about the political inferences. Too divisive. prevalent in 2019 then it was in the 1980s. I feel like in some ways I,
But we must (at least) acknowledge it’s pivotal roll in along with many women of that era, helped initiate the changes that
the history of how we got here. Recognize that the sheer we have today. Men understand that women are their equals…in some
numbers and power of this third wave of feminism can no ways. I think in the business world they are forced to accept it, especially
longer be ignored or sidelined. when their boss is female. I think men enjoy having a woman in their
Women-owned businesses far outstrip their male lives who can command a high salary and take some of the stress off
counterparts. More women are in college than ever before. of them with the high costs of living, but do they want their wives or
But, the pay inequity still exists. I see a shift here too. It’s girlfriends to make more money than them, or hold a more senior
taken far too long. position? Some men are just fine with it, as Bob said, perhaps most
Do powerful women intimidate men? Yes, that’s going men. There are those who are old school and still want to hold the power
to take a while. Each succeeding generation will have less position in the relationship, and for many, that is solely based on salary.
and less resistance to this shift, fostering an America that We can be powerful women without flaunting it in our man’s face. A
truly represents the whole of our society. I know (in my good man is proud of his wife or girlfriend and wants her to succeed,
heart) that change will come more rapidly. and thankfully I do believe that this is the case for most men in 2019.

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