Saturn's Trudell, Serlin of United Scrap Metal and Emma Chappell of United Bank of Philadelphia all are mothers. Also, many women consider their ability to handle work and family life as a plus, not a minus, as some employers see it. We're used to doing two or three things at once. In business, it's a natural. The glass ceiling may have sustained only hairline cracks so far, but there's plenty of optimism for real breakthroughs.
More employers see the wisdom of removing career obstacles.
It makes good business sense, says Saturn's Trudell. Her company seeks employees who mirror its customer base in terms of gender and ethnic background. Forty percent of my senior leadership teams are women. The next step, says Labor Secretary Herman, is making sure corporate practices follow written policies. Promotions are increasingly based on how people perform rather than on whom they know.