2008 Woodie Awards
Norway's glass ceiling cracked by new female business elite
Simon Kelly
Issue date: 2/1/08 Section: World
With only 15 percent of corporate directorship positions being held by women in the U.S. Fortune 500, some might argue that this sort of legislation is just as vital here as in Norway. According to assistant professor of sociology and women's studies Kathryn Schmidt, however, the U.S. has a long way before a law of this kind is put into effect.
"I wouldn't expect Norway's quota system to work as well in the U.S. because it would be so challenged by our own strong individual ideas of meritocracy,"said Schmidt. "And I think that because we have had non-discrimination legislation, and that we have made progress, it may not seem as needed. But this does not escape the fact that in most places, especially in academia, the higher the rankings, the greater percentage of men you will find."
As of now, Guilford retains only three women in its senior administration: Adrienne Israel, the vice president and academic dean, Rita Serotkin, dean of continuing education (CCE), and Erin Brownlee Dell, assistant academic dean for administration.
As for the Norwegians, much is yet to be seen, but their outlook, by and large, seems to be one of progressiveness and optimism.
"I think only time will show whether this will be good for business or not," said Vorgeng to BBC News. "But, I'm sure that diversity, at the end of the day will be good for business, because there is no reason why we should pick candidates from only 50 percent of the population."
"I wouldn't expect Norway's quota system to work as well in the U.S. because it would be so challenged by our own strong individual ideas of meritocracy,"said Schmidt. "And I think that because we have had non-discrimination legislation, and that we have made progress, it may not seem as needed. But this does not escape the fact that in most places, especially in academia, the higher the rankings, the greater percentage of men you will find."
As of now, Guilford retains only three women in its senior administration: Adrienne Israel, the vice president and academic dean, Rita Serotkin, dean of continuing education (CCE), and Erin Brownlee Dell, assistant academic dean for administration.
As for the Norwegians, much is yet to be seen, but their outlook, by and large, seems to be one of progressiveness and optimism.
"I think only time will show whether this will be good for business or not," said Vorgeng to BBC News. "But, I'm sure that diversity, at the end of the day will be good for business, because there is no reason why we should pick candidates from only 50 percent of the population."
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