7th May 2008

Trailblazing Women Make a Difference - Barbara Walters Book “Audition” Special Interview by Charlie Gibson

Whew! that’s a long title!  I watched the Barbara Walter’s interview by Charlie Gibson on ABC tonight.  I have always enjoyed watching her in the past 20 some odd years on ABC, or at least as long as I can remember watching her.  In this case it might be longer, you never know…. :-)

 Gibson interviewed her adopted daughter as well as interviewed Walters on the topic.  She had three miscarriages, and chose to adopt her daughter.  Gibson asked if it was a curse or a blessing to have had an adopted daughter of Walters, who commented that she was born of her heart, not her womb.  As a pregnant woman, who has just lost a twin, with one remaining healthy baby, I think of how amazing a woman such as Walters would go through three miscarriages, three marriages to boot, and choose to adopt a daughter.  I’m proud of her - truly proud that she has lived her life with such amazing professional accomplishment but also found a way to have a child.   Her daughter says that no matter what, Walters was there for her.  Pretty impressive considering the daughter’s involvement with drugs. 

On other women interviewed by Gibson about Walters including Rosie, Oprah and Whoopi - they talked about the difficulty of being a trailblazing woman who made inroads, who wore all the scars, so that other women could go after her, perhaps on an easier journey although not for the faint of heart.  All of these women talked about the challenges of being a trailblazer - Whoopi talked about needing some big cahunas - or yes, balls, to be able to do all that she and others like her have done in their lives.

I’m always amazed at strong professional women, who regardless of marriage(s), failed or not, manage to have both profession and family - and wouldn’t want to be without one or the other.  There is an amazing perseverence in these women and I have witnessed this in many of my female clients who have become colleagues and in time, become close friends over the years.  I admire and salute all women trailblazers - for you do not have an easy road ahead of you - but you should be proud of the road behind you. 

Godspeed.

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