Taking on the world

It must be tough, being a woman, working a traditionally male job.

Men, being the insecure beings that they are, cannot accept a woman working in a traditionally male job. For him, there's the stigma of working under a woman, who most likely, is smarter and more capable than him.

For her, its trying to "fit in" to the status quo of this boys' club and trying to prove her worth.

Today, I watched CJ (WEST WING, CJ is the press sec who becomes the Chief of Staff), trying to cope with the rigours of her new post. What was important, I think, was how she felt. She was close to giving up, feeling like an outsider in a very masculine atmosphere.

She finally stepped up to the challenge, by being the person that she was, by NOT trying to fit in. She didn't try to fit in. She did not try to be like the previous chief. She took the job and made it her own, with her own approach and her own style.

That showed me something. That a woman does not have to abandon who she is to succeed. She does not have to step into a man's shoes, or try to be "one of the boys" to do her job well.

That said, either a woman has it, or she doesn't. She must work harder and reach further than a man in the same position. She has to fight for her place, her right to be there. Once gotten, its hers to use and maintain. Respect is earned, for that, she has to work harder and prove herself more.

With enough guts and determination, and a slight sprinkling of a bitchy attitude, anything is possible, ladies.

At the end of the day, there is nothing to stop a woman, except herself.