Customer Reviews

Women Count: A Guide to Changing the World

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Woman Count" has widened my view of my own future at the age of 40, as well as how I see the future for my children. I have given this book as gifts to friends young and old - and it has prompted great discussion.

I have to say that I loved this book! While a compact book, there is so much information contained in these pages that made me realize how fortunate I am for women in history that have shaped the world as I know it today. This book also made me take a look at my own life and wondering how I am contributing to the world for future generations. What could I do in my life that might make a change that in 20+ years will be noted by others?

I enjoyed reading little bits about various historical women that paved the way for me and more than just those in the Women's Suffrage movement. Did you know the cotton gin idea was created by a woman, Catherine Littlefield Greene? Knowing that she would never receive a patent for it that she shared that information with Eli Whitney who did patent the machine. This is just one example that Susan notes in her book.

I'd say that this book could be read by anyone of any age. There are some parts that might impact a woman that is older (18+) but there are many parts that younger women could take and work into their lives.

The title implies this is a guide to changing the world. It's not. It is a history of women leaders and women's accomplishments. We can certainly learn from the past but it would also be very helpful to have tactical advice on how we can become leaders.

What I enjoyed about this book:

**women's perspective on history. Like most, I wasn't aware of the many women that Susan highlights. Elizabeth Blackwell, one of the first women doctors and Myra Bradwell, the first female attorney, are two examples.

Where the book missed its mark:

**too many lists of strong women and not enough analysis of what made them strong.

**not enough practical advice on how a woman can achieve her full potential.

**not enough discussion of whether women should lead like men or be more true to themselves and lead with consensus. Let's face it, women are different from men. This isn't good and it isn't bad; it just is. Again, it would have been more helpful if Susan had presented the pros and cons of both approaches.

**too much mention of Susan's accomplishments at Accenture and not enough discussion of HOW she achieved what she did.

Given the title implies a guide to change and this book wasn't that, I'm only rating it 2 stars. From a historical perspective, the book is helpful.

Many people - mistakenly or optimistically - think we are in a post-feminist world. They argue that the feminist movement of the 1960s and 70s made its impact and there is nothing more to do for women. That is no more true than to say that Barack Obama's election marks the end of racism in the US. We have made great progress but we are not yet an equal society. Susan B. Butler reminds us how far women have come in seeking equality and how far we have yet to go. She tells us inspirational stories of women who were pioneers in their field, including Ms. Butler herself who was the first female professional at Arthur Andersen & Co. More than that, she challenges us to dream big and to go beyond what others before us have done. Women comprise over half the population of the US and more than 60% of our college graduates. If companies exclude women from leadership or if women "opt out" of the work world because they cannot find a job that allows them to fulfill their commitments to their families in the way that they need to, we have lost a tremendous amount of talent. This book is a call to action for CEOs who, consciously or unconsciously, have created corporate cultures in which women do not thrive. It is also a call to action for women of all ages who may have focused too much on the obstacles and not enough on their dreams. Ms. Butler speaks with authority as a woman with decades of executive experience, including years as the Chief of Staff of the CEO of Accenture, a $21 billion technology and outsourcing consulting company with over 200,000 employees.

Feminism isn't dead because its work is not yet done. Susan Butler is the new voice of feminism in the 21st century and she is a voice worth listening to.

It happens to a lot of authors: they have a great story to tell, so they write a self-help, "how to" or guide. This book, sent to me as a review copy, offers a good example.

Author Butler probably has many stories to share. I'd like to learn from her experience. How did she manage to get a job in a male-dominated accounting firm and hang on? What are some challenges she experiences as an executive coach and consultant?

Instead this book seems based on the premise that women have made some progress; now it's time to "make everyone count."

First, not everyone - male or female - wants to pay the price of "counting." Second, it's not clear what we need to do if we want to count.

Butler provides a lot of historical background. Each example is brief and anyone familiar with the women's movement will not find new ideas here. Even worse, some examples seem to suggest problems without solutions. For instance, Butler describes a female tennis star whose career was sidelined by giving birth. Why not look to the WNBA? Yolanda Griffith lost her spot at a prestigious college program when she had a baby in college, but she became a professional, an Olympian and a legend. Many WNBA players are mothers, as is legendary female coach Pat Summitt.

Butler tries to provide some tips in the last chapter but they're extremely vague: "Be a good listener" is just one tip for a mentor.

I just finished reading another book about women that probed women's roles with far more insight: Damned If She Does, Damned If She Doesn't, by Lynn Cronin and Howard Fine. Ironically that book made me question Butler's book: realistically, what can we do? We need answers that come from outside the box and the book.