Oh, Hillary, how they love to hate you. We know by now that women leaders are held to impossible double standards–damned if they appear too “soft” or “caring” or, in the case of politics, too focused on “women’s issues,” and damned if they don’t appear to be any of these things. Ann Friedman at feministing had a smart post on Hillary coverage last week, as did Judith Warner over at Domestic Disturbances.

Looking to understand the phenomenon further? Catalyst’s latest report (released July 17) is on the issue behind this issue–stereotypes and perceptions others have of women who vie for leadership. Catalyst focuses on female CEOs, but the lessons apply in other realms too. Check out coverage of the report (“The Double-Bind Dilemma for Women in Leadership: Damned if You Do, Doomed if You Don’t“) in CNNMoney, but to get the goods, go straight to the source.

Press queries:
Susan Nierenberg
646-388-7744
snierenberg@catalyst.org

…for a conversation about Sisterhood, Interrupted.

It’s on XM radio, and for those who haven’t yet figured out XM (hi Mom!), click here to listen in.

Judith, who writes my favorite New York Times blog, Domestic Disturbances, had me on for the whole show, so it’s a pretty in-depth conversation. She is an excellent interviewer, deeply informed, and truly makes you think.

Encores:
Monday – 5 AM ET
Saturday – 4 PM ET
Sunday – 1 PM ET

For those of you who whose cities I missed during the latest leg of my book tour, here’s another chance: FORA.tv filmed the reading at Cody’s in Berkeley. (I can’t watch it, because I can’t stand watching myself on tv, but feel free!)

A new Australian study sheds light on this ever-surprising finding. What I can’t help thinking when I read stuff like this is how degrading it is to men to assume they prefer bimbos. Ok, I know I know, a lot of them probably do. (Marco, your thoughts?!)

I wrote about this in Psychology Today back in 2004 – I still get emails about the article, which an extremely savvy editor there provocatively titled “The New Trophy Wife”. The response to pieces like this makes me scratch my head all the more. And makes me want to write about it further, too. Hmm.

(Thanks to Katie over at the Lisa Birnbach Show for the link!)

Just had to post this picture Lisa Johnson sent me from the National Women’s Studies Association conference. That’s me in the glasses. And I think I’m rockin out with Heather Hewett? Can’t tell. Anyway, who says feminism isn’t funny.

And speaking of, if you’re in NYC, here’s an event for you:

LADIES WHO LAUGH!
Date: Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Join New York Women in Communications Inc. for this exclusive, ONE-TIME engagement of some of the funniest the female comedians in New York! Enjoy lots of laughter, food and drink, while supporting a good cause!

Starring:
Carolyn Castiglia, Karith Foster, Leighann Lord, Lynne Koplitz, Robin Gelfenbein & Andrea Olten….

…comediennes who have performed on Comedy Central, VH1, MTV2, Nick-at-Nite, HBO, NBC and more!!

With Mistress of Ceremonies: Maggie Mistal
Host, “Making a Living With Maggie” Martha Stewart Living Radio

Wednesday, July 25, 2007
6:00pm-8:00pm
NBC’S Historic Studio 8H at Rockefeller Center

Truly, I do. Lisa (pictured left) interviewed me this morning on her show, and her questions, as to be expected, were incredibly thoughtful. We were talking on the air about how the having-it-all debate plays out among younger women, and, during a break, Lisa brought her 10 year old daughter into the studio to say goodbye. Said (adorable) daughter was leaving for a trip today with her dad. Work/family in action. I found it highly appropriate.

Lisa’s producer proposed the possibility of a panel on the intergenerational issues (how’s that for alliteration) with me, Gloria Steinem, and Courtney Martin. How fun would THAT be?!

I’ll try to figure out how to post the mp3 file, when I get it, here. (If any of my bloggy mentors out there know how to do this, please feel free to shoot me a note!)

I’m a guest this morning on The Lisa Birnbach Show — can’t wait!! (GreenStone is a pioneering project in women’s radio, brought to us by the amazing women behind the Women’s Media Center…)

I’m back in NYC, trying to remember why I love it here, when California has the sun, the surf, the fresh air…

Well, yes, here is one reason: Four of my favorite organizations — Demos, the National Council for Research on Women, the Woodhull Institute for Ethical Leadership, and the Ms. Foundation — are cosponsoring a forum on my book next Thursday. If you’re in the NYC area, please come! The event will take place at the NYRAG offices located at 79 Fifth Ave (betw 15th and 16th Sts), 4th floor. It’s free and open to the public, but registration is required. You can also register by calling 212-633-1405 x533. Please spread word by forwarding the invite, found here:

file:///Users/deborah/Desktop/sisterhood%20interrupted%20invite.htm

(Or this link: http://www.demos.org/events.cfm)

I’ll give a talk based on my book, and panelists Desiree Flores and Dr. Mary S. Hartman will respond with discussion of the experiences of younger and older feminists in relationship to the movement and each other, how multiple generations of women can learn from one another’s activism to bridge generational differences, and what the future of the feminist movement looks like. The event will be moderated by Shari Cohen, Director of the Demos Fellows Program and a very savvy lady. Refreshments provided!

Greetings from sunny CA! (WHY do I live in NYC? Oh right- because I love it. But it’s hard to remember that sometimes, from here.)

Some quickies, since my host, my best friend Rebecca, is currently calling me (freshly picked raspberries and blackberries await):

Last night’s reading at Cody’s in Berkeley (above) was a blast. My favorite audience, I think, ever. Though I kind of feel that after each reading, so I’m probably not an accurate judge. Thank you to Laura, Josh, Elline, and others — including, I think, Bitch founder and heroine Lisa Jervis — for coming out! ForaTV filmed it, so I’ll post the link when it’s available.

Sisterhood, Interrupted in the news today: The Detroit News

And over at MotherTalk too (oh how I love those ladies…)

Next week I’m a guest on The Lisa Birnbach Show – will post details when I got em. And next week I’m going to be SheSource’s “expert of the week.” How cool is it that chicks now have our own radio, and database? If you don’t know about Greenstone Media or SheSource yet, be sure to check them out.

Linda Hirshman invited Courtney Martin and I to share our responses to the NWSA conference, with hers, on The New Republic’s Open University blog. It’s posted today, here!