Are there any truly supportive industries for women?

[Anonymous]

I finally saw the Barbie movie and although I know it’s just entertainment, all the female camaraderie and teamwork was inspiring. It made me wonder if there are any industries where women truly support and empower each other? Having worked in the corporate world for 20yrs, I’ve faced the opposite. Most women are passive aggressive at best and overtly competitive and vindictive at worst. Any of you have a workplace that’s supportive and positive?

[Anonymous]

I’m a teacher and the only time I’ve felt that way was with male principals. They were just great people whereas the female principals were not. My coworkers are awesome and most of the kids are too. The rest of the job sucks and keeps getting worse though.

[Anonymous]

Some pockets of government/civil service. But as the balance of mid-level managers in my agency becomes increasingly female (largely due to the pay ceiling and our salaries, while good, not keeping up with private sector options), we have more or less deployed affirmative action for men in the cloak of diversity/inclusivity.

[Anonymous]

Law! It can be a brutal profession, but the women are exceptionally supportive of each other. Lots of formal and informal mentorship, womens networking, special events and organizations for women etc.

[Anonymous]

I’m part of a technical writing team at a software company and have had a great experience with my female bosses and colleagues.

We recently were acquired by a horrible company though, so I’m contemplating moving on even though it would mean leaving them behind.

[Anonymous]

My law firm is routinely ranked one of the best firms for women. All our section leaders are women right now, a woman made partner while out on maternity leave, we have a nursing room complete with couch, sink and fridge, etc.

[Anonymous]

I thought that the message from the Barbie movie was interesting. The barbies ultimately didn't like the patriarchy but were invested in continuing the matriarchy and in keeping the kens second-class citizens. For me, the outcome wasn't empowering or supportive but more along the lines of humans in a group will step on another group when possible, regardless if they are female or male.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a teacher and the only time I’ve felt that way was with male principals. They were just great people whereas the female principals were not. My coworkers are awesome and most of the kids are too. The rest of the job sucks and keeps getting worse though.

Agree. I have had some great and inspiring female bosses growing up, but more dog eat dog, recently. The best bosses I have had have been men, they are drama free.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought that the message from the Barbie movie was interesting. The barbies ultimately didn't like the patriarchy but were invested in continuing the matriarchy and in keeping the kens second-class citizens. For me, the outcome wasn't empowering or supportive but more along the lines of humans in a group will step on another group when possible, regardless if they are female or male.

I thought so too - the message could have been delivered differently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Law! It can be a brutal profession, but the women are exceptionally supportive of each other. Lots of formal and informal mentorship, womens networking, special events and organizations for women etc.

Ha! You must not have encountered some of the evil w!tches I worked with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Law! It can be a brutal profession, but the women are exceptionally supportive of each other. Lots of formal and informal mentorship, womens networking, special events and organizations for women etc.

Agree. The lawyers are supportive of each other, generally (at least in the big firms at which I have been employed).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Law! It can be a brutal profession, but the women are exceptionally supportive of each other. Lots of formal and informal mentorship, womens networking, special events and organizations for women etc.

Ha! You must not have encountered some of the evil w!tches I worked with.

DP here. The admin are not supportive of each other, and smaller law firms are less supportive amongst women lawyers, IME.

[Anonymous]

I'm a therapist so as you can imagine it's a pretty supportive environment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Law! It can be a brutal profession, but the women are exceptionally supportive of each other. Lots of formal and informal mentorship, womens networking, special events and organizations for women etc.

Ha! You must not have encountered some of the evil w!tches I worked with.

DP here. The admin are not supportive of each other, and smaller law firms are less supportive amongst women lawyers, IME.

Biglaw is super supportive of women. They don't really adjust the quantitative expectations (billable hours, book of business etc) for women. But they put a LOT of systems and tools in place to help women succeed as absolutely much as possible. And at the two firms I've been at, the senior women who are "I had a shitty go to get here, so you should too" are few and far between. The vast, vast majority of women partners are absolutely committed to helping those junior to us succeed. And those who go in house are extremely good about wanting to send their business to women.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a therapist so as you can imagine it's a pretty supportive environment.

"I'm feeling overhelmed with stress."

"You should really talk to a therapist about that."

"I am, right now!"