Benchmarking Women's Leadership

Benchmarking Women’s Leadership in the United States 1901 East Asbury Avenue Denver Colorado 80208-1000 www.womenscollege.du.edu Benchmarking Women’s Leadership in the United States Author and Lead Researcher: Tiffani Lennon, J.D. Chair, Law and Society Colorado Women’s College—University of Denver Research Associates: Dorey Lindemann Spotts (DU-CWC, 2012) Marissa Mitchell (DU, 2012) Lead Editor: Shelley Popke Reviewers: Miko Brown, J.D. Tiffany Dufu Jane Ehrhardt Lynn M. Gangone, Ed.D. Karen Harolds Cynthia Hess, Ph.D. Deborah Klein, J.D., LL.M Lucie Lapovsky, Ph.D. Deborah Larkin Richard A. Levine, J.D. Geri Meireis Cynthia Secor, Ph.D. Benchmarking Women’s Leadership in the United States University of Denver – Colorado Women’s College Benchmarking Women’s Leadership in the United States tABLE of ContEntS Colorado Women’s College at the University of Denver �� 4 Preface �� 5 Special Acknowledgement from The White House Project �� 7 Introduction �� 5 Executive Summary............................................................................................................. 7 Academia........................................................................................................................... 12 Arts and Entertainment �� 27 Business and Commercial Banking �� 41 Entrepreneurship �� 55 Journalism and Media �� 67 K-12 Education �� 83 Law �� 92 Medicine �� 101 Military �� 110 The Nonprofit and Philanthropic Sector........................................................................... 120 Politics and Government �� 132 Religion............................................................................................................................ 149 Sports �� 162 Technology �� 171 Methodology �� 179 Benchmarking Women’s Leadership in the United States University of Denver – Colorado Women’s College Benchmarking Women’s Leadership in the United States CoLorado WomEn’S CollegE At thE UnivErSity of DEnvEr Where women learn to lead. In 1888, Colorado Women’s College (CWC) was Colorado Women’s College is a knowledge center founded as a place for women to achieve a higher and catalyst for progress in women’s leadership education in Denver, Colorado. In 1982 CWC issues. Through research, partnerships and alli- became a part of the University of Denver, with ances with individuals and entities committed to a commitment from the University to invest in the examining the complexity of leadership and areas College’s continuing development as an academi- of emerging influence for women, the College cally challenging, empowering and transforma- generates and applies new knowledge – while tional learning environment for women. Today, challenging women to exercise leadership and Colorado Women’s College at the University influence across all sectors. It is within this in- of Denver remains dedicated to educating and novative learning environment that students gain empowering women, as one of approximately 50 an enhanced ability to engage in and appreciate women’s colleges in the U. S., and the only one in multicultural dialogue and perspective, establish the Rocky Mountain region. greater self-confidence, and receive a strong preparation to influence and impact the world in Colorado Women’s College places women at which we live. Graduates exemplify the mission of the center. Here, women’s thought leadership is the College: Colorado Women’s College educates elevated in the classroom, through research, and women to boldly lead in the communities where at salons where women thought leaders – includ- they live, work and engage. ing students, faculty and members of the local community – share ideas, lead conversation and provide commentary on current issues and their impact on women. Combined with the intellectually expansive experience of the University of Denver, a private research institution dedicated to the public good, CWC students graduate with a well- respected degree from the University of Denver and with the desire to lead – as well as with the academic knowledge, skills, confidence and drive to create a better world for everyone. Benchmarking Women’s Leadership in the United States University of Denver – Colorado Women’s College 4 Benchmarking Women’s Leadership in the United States PrEfACE Lao-Tzu said “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” However, a more correct translation from the original Chinese would be “The journey of a thousand miles begins beneath one’s feet.” Women’s colleges have been talking the talk and team of researchers. The research team was led walking the walk in educating leaders, leaders who by CWC Law and Society program chair Tiffani happen to be women, since the mid-19th century. Lennon along with a group of University of Denver While fewer in number in the 21st century, wom- and Colorado Women’s College graduate and en’s colleges still play a critical role in educating undergraduate women. In this report, Benchmark- and elevating women, and even more importantly, ing Women’s Leadership in the United States, the expecting women to be leaders—all women, not faculty-student collaboration was rich and fully just a privileged few. Certainly Colorado Women’s expressed the inclusivity and perspective that both College (CWC), celebrating its 125th anniversary Marie and Tiffany sought in the women who were this year, exemplifies the ways in which women’s to produce this 2013 report. colleges are reaching greater numbers and more diverse types of women. Nearly 50 % of our The White House Project unexpectedly closed in students identify as women of color, while an ad- December 2012 leaving a huge gap in the efforts ditional 10% of CWC students come to us from to advance women’s leadership. While I and others countries outside of the United States. deeply mourn the loss of The White House Project, those of us who remain carry on its mission “to Several years ago The White House Project advance women’s leadership in all communities founding President Marie C. Wilson was seeking and sectors—up to the U.S. presidency—by filling an educational institution to continue the legacy the leadership pipeline with a richly diverse, critical established in the 2009 The White House Project: mass of women.” Benchmarking Women’s Leadership report. Marie wanted The White House Project to partner with a With the loss of our White House Project partner, college or university that implicitly shared the mis- Colorado Women’s College moved forward to sion and values of The White House Project and, complete this report and disseminate it widely. particularly, an institution that purposefully and CWC was fortunate to find a donor who believes in intentionally welcomed all women into its commu- the college, its mission, and this report. Thanks to nity. Marie found that partner in the University of the generosity of entrepreneur and visionary Emily Denver’s Colorado Women’s College. Spencer, The Emily B. Spencer Research Fund for the Advancement of Women’s Thought Leadership Both Marie C. Wilson and her able successor, Tif- now exists to steward ethical research that gener- fany Dufu, courageously entrusted the extension of ates knowledge, informs practice, and promotes The White House Project: Benchmarking Women’s partnerships. It is through Emily’s generosity that Leadership to Colorado Women’s College and its CWC received the funds necessary to complete Benchmarking Women’s Leadership in the United States University of Denver – Colorado Women’s College 5 PrEfACE Benchmarking Women’s Leadership in the United To the men reading this report, what you will do to States and for that support I am deeply grateful. partner with women to change the landscape of positional leadership in this country? And to the It is the 21st century and the fact that this report women, as you journey through your own leader- shows that women remain, on average, less than ship path, remember

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