#TEDWomen: A few of day one sessions’ highlights

Quick highlights of today’s sessions:

Hanna Rosin gave a great speech called the End of Man, mostly about her writing and research on the rise of women in global society [Note, neither Hanna nor the conference are fist-pumping femi-Nazis, and the quotes below were used light heartedly]:

• Her mom used to tell her that women were smarter and more capable than men, and would someday take over the world.
• Women are now taking up the majority of the workforce in the US.
• In America, 75% of couples are now requesting girls for babies, not boys.  This trend, while not as significant, is showing it’s face in some of the most traditional societies, such as China and Korea.
• In a study of 2000 towns across the US, it was found in 1997 of them that young, single women were making more money than their male counterparts.
• In the new service economy, women are often better at picking up the high skills needed to succeed.
• What are some of these skills? Open-mindedness, ability to sit still, communicate effectively and listen.
• Women make up 57% of college attendees and are earning more PhDs than men.
• “Men are the new ball and chain” (JOKE)
• Closing thought: Turn the “glass ceiling” into a “high bridge” where you have the confidence that you belong, the skills to succeed, and you just need to take the first step.

Ted Turner advocates that women in power would make a great difference around the world, especially in issues of war:

• For the next 100 years, if only women were to serve in public office around the world, we’d have a society of no war, and the money would go to things like health care, education and a safer society.
• The qualities in a women that give them this unique perspective are that they’re nurturing, they’re closer to children since they bear them, they’re gentler, fairer, don’t get angry quickly (some might disagree with this point!  )
• Everyone should be fully empowered, and everyone around the world should run themselves on the same rules they hold others to.  You can’t tell Iran to stop stockpiling nuclear weapons when Israel has 100 of them and we helped them get there.  If women were in control, there would be an end to nuclear weapons sooner than men could bring.
• “I’m pro person, I mean, I am one.”

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia, talks about being a woman in power in Africa:

• In situations where not everyone can get an education, boys are given preference.  She has made it one of her major goals to make sure that girls are given the same opportunities.
• She’s called the “Iron Woman of Africa,” because of her strong decision-making skills and ability to take action.
• She balances her approach with toughness and sensitivity, a balance that makes women special.
• If she were born a man, she would have accomplished less, as she would not have had to endure as much and get over as many hurdles.  She’s a “Victor of Circumstances.”

Halla Tomasdottir, Co-Founder of Auder Capital, tells us why she and her business partner started a financial firm focusing on “women’s values”:

• “Feminine Values in Finance” is their tagline.
  • Risk Awareness: Always understand what risk you’re undertaking
  • Straight Talk
  • Emotional Capital is just as important and Financial Capital.
  • Profit with principal: They care how they’re making profits. Financial gain comes with some sort of societal gain as well.
• The female factor will have a huge impact in the future.
• There needs to be balance, it’s not an either/or thing: either it needs to be a man or it needs to be a woman.  Just do good business!

Ok, I’ll get the rest up tomorrow.

Related articles

• “Overture”: Roundup of TEDWomen, Session 1 (ted.com)
• Highlights from TEDWomen Day 1, Session 1 (boingboing.net)