Forbes names world’s 100 most powerful women

This week, Forbes magazine named its pick of the world’s most influential women. The group of 100 power movers, which includes humanitarians, entertainers, and world leaders, span the globe and spectrum of ages. Lady Gaga (#14), age 26, is the youngest on the list. Queen Elizabeth II (#26), Monarch of the United Kingdom, is the eldest stateswoman on the list at eighty-six years old.

First Lady Michelle Obama makes the list at #7

The Queen is joined by a number of lady rulers, such as 50-year-old Julia Gillard (#27), who is the Prime Minister of Australia, and Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner (#16), age 59, who is the first elected female president of Argentina.

[related: Forbes 400 richest in America]

In addition to Lady Gaga, a few other Millennials made the cut this year, including entertainment dynamo and new mother, Beyoncé Knowles Carter, who at age 30, joins the list in the #32 spot. Sheikha Mayassa Al Thani rounds out the Forbes list in the last spot. Al Thani is the 29-year old Chair of the Qatar Museums Authority in the Middle East.

Alas, the most powerful woman on the 2012 Forbes list is…(here’s a hint: she was an awfully good sport when covered in beer).  Find out who’s #1 and view the complete list.

Who do you think should have made the list? Let us know in the comments section below. © Copyright 2012 Ask The Strategist™

DISCLAIMER: ASK THE STRATEGIST is a blog that addresses business, career, workplace and etiquette issues. Any advice dispensed by Ask The Strategist is purely for informational and entertainment purposes. Take the advice and opinions at your own risk – and betterment! Follow @KesiStribling or @CareerConnectDC on Twitter. Post your questions/email your conundrum/send your question via video to ask@ksgsc.com. All submissions become the property of Ask The Strategist. Names and other identifying information may be changed to protect the person asking for advice.

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In honor of Women’s History Month, the ASK THE STRATEGIST blog is launching Women of Influence: Leaders Past, Present, and Future. During the month of March, we will feature audacious, awesome women who contribute, or have contributed, to communities across the globe.

BETSY ROSS
January 1, 1752 – January 30, 1836

Betsy Ross, an American icon (source: Biography.com)

It is fitting that the first woman featured today, International Women’s Day, is Betsy Ross. Born in Philadelphia on January 1, 1752, Elizabeth Griscom Ross was the eighth of seventeen children born to Samuel and Rebecca James Griscom. Ross married her first husband at age 21, John, with whom she established an upholstery and seamstress business.

Famous for fashioning the American flag presented to George Washington in 1776 to commemorate the country’s independence from Great Britain, Ross was a successful entrepreneur in 18th century Philadelphia. What makes her occupation an even rarer occurrence is that Ross maintained the upholstery business after the deaths of her first husband, John, and indeed, after her second and third husbands, Captain Joseph Ashburn and John Claypoole, respectively.

While Ross’ legend revolves around Old Glory, and the debate about whether she designed the original flag, the fact remains that this “patriot of Philadelphia,” Betsy Ross continues to inspire civic pride and patriotism.

So, we celebrate Betsy Ross on March 8, 2012 – International Women’s Day – for her lasting contributions as a pioneering woman entrepreneur whose work in the 1700s continues to resonate centuries later.

Fast facts:
 Betsy Ross’ family were devout members of the Quaker Society
 Ross’ family ostracized her when she married John Ross, an Episcopalian
 She was a fourth-generation American

SOURCES:
Betsy Ross, http://www.biography.com/people/betsy-ross-9464205
Betsy Ross, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betsy_Ross
Betsy Ross, http://www.answers.com/topic/betsy-ross

Talk Back: Tell us about the women – past present and future – who inspire you in the comments section.

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New York-based media conglomerate, Working Mother Media, honored twelve of the nation’s top employers for hourly workers at the Mayflower hotel in Washington, DC yesterday.

Carol Evans, president of Working Mother Media, addresses audience

Carol Evans, president of Working Mother Media, recognized the efforts of the 12 companies honored, including: Best Buy, Bon Secours Richmond Health Systems, Inc., Carlson, Inc., Capital One Financial Corporation, Cricket Communications, Marriott International, Inc., McDonald’s Corporation, Sodexo, University of New Mexico Hospitals, University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics, USAA, and Valassis Communications, Inc.

The keynote speaker for the event was Hilda L. Solis, United States Secretary of Labor, who saluted the companies for providing tuition assistance, health care coverage, and training opportunities for workers.

Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis delivers keynote address

For more details, including the honorees and and Secretary Hilda Solis’ keynote address, read my article on Examiner.com:

Today, I had the pleasure of being a featured presenter to a group of awesome women entrepreneurs visiting the United States for the International Visitor Leadership Program. During the session, Women & Entrepreneurship, twenty women from across the globe gathered to hear strategies and insider tips for business success. 

Sponsored by the United States Department of State and Phelps Stokes, the program was a part of a three-week visit designed to:

• Provide examples of entrepreneurial efforts in the U.S, particularly those initiated by women;
• Illustrate the essential role of non-governmental and grassroots organizations in supporting and empowering the development of women-owned businesses; and,
• Highlight the social, economic, and political factors that influence and encourage the development of private enterprise in the U.S.

PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

Participants in the US Department of State and Phelps Stokes International Visitor Leadership Program in DC

Hailing from Algeria, Armenia, Bangladesh, Gambia, Germany, Hungary, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Oman, People’s Republic of China, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, and Venezuela, these women are focused and poised to become great forces in their home countries and globally. 

BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE

Because so many of our ASK THE STATEGIST readers are entrepreneurs, or company and organizational leaders, I am sharing key tips on advocacy imparted to the women during my presentation. There are three types of advocacy every smart business owner should employ on a regular basis:
 

1. Individual Advocacy: The reality is that no one is going to be as excited, motivated and committed to your entity as you are. So, it is important to be a vigilant advocate for your business. Whether it is taking courses to learn more about your industry, researching potential funding, articulating your messaging, or mapping out your company’s overall strategy and operations, you are ultimately responsible for being your own cheerleader and motivator.

2. Collaborative Advocacy: As the old saying does, there is power in numbers. The adage applies to building businesses, as well. Strategic partners and alliances are a great way to increase your capabilities, develop ideas, raise funding and promote your products and services. Allies are great advocates, and can become vital cheerleaders on your company’s behalf. Collaborating to position your company in a favorable way, while increasing your branding and outreach is a good thing. 

3. Legislative Advocacy: Advocating for your business or organization, and gaining strategic alliances will help you go a long way toward sustaining your entity. However, often calling upon our elected officials and legislators is a necessary action, especially if advocacy involves systemic issues, such as education, the environment, health, the economy, and community development. Know who your elected officials are in your community and where your business is located! 

THE PERFECT PITCH 

A special *shout out* goes to Nicole Joseph, founder of Ms. Brafit, who won The Perfect Pitch contest during the presentation. Congratulations! 

The Perfect Pitch: Nicole Joseph-Chin, Founder of Ms. Brafit

 
Visit Nicole’s company website: www.msbrafit.com
Follow her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/MsBrafit 

Pat Mitchell President & CEO Paley Center for Media	Margie Warrell Author/Executive Life Coach “Find Your Courage”	Joan Amble Executive Vice President & Corporate Comptroller, American Express

Do you know these women?  You should.  They are leading ladies in America, shaping the world around us in business, politics, and media.  Come meet them personally and several more successful women from across the country THIS Saturday!  There is still time to join some of America’s most influential women at  www.WomenLeadingTheFuture.org.

Ladies DC and the UN Foundation have joined forces to host the inaugural “Women Leading the Future” day-long women’s conference, THIS Saturday, April 30, 2011, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, bringing some of the most powerful women in America together to discuss major issues and topics important to women today.  Focusing on women making a difference in the world, some discussions will deal with where women are today and how they can become stronger, more effective leaders and why their leadership is important as we head into the future. 

www.WomenLeadingTheFuture.org

ASK THE STRATEGIST interviewed Carol Van Valkenburg, owner of the McDonald’s restaurant in Mazza Gallerie, Washington, DC, during the National Hiring Day today. Carol’s family has owned McDonald’s franchises in the area – 18 locations to date – since 1979.

Carol Van Valkenburg stands in front of the Wisonsin Avenue restaurant

ATS: What are your three strategies for success?
Carol: Never be afraid to ask questions, never be afraid to admit that you do not know the answer, and be open to all possibilities.

ATS: What is your insider tip (unconventional, nontraditional or out-of-the-box philosophy or action)?
Carol: Be brave and shake the hand of or introduce yourself to someone you don’t know – you’ll never know where it will lead.

ATS: How do you stay relevant?
Carol: Talk to your children! I value my daughter’s opinion – even when she was in high school. Children are “wired in” and know the latest trends.

(Your children) may not know everything, but they do know a lot.

McDonald's team members at the Wisonsin Avenue restaurant in DC

McDonald’s tells thousands of jobseekers: You’re hired! Read the article on Examiner.com>>>

Carol Van Valkenburg talks with new hire Jasmine Session

McDonald’s jobs in DC : www.vanmanagement.com

McDonald’s jobs across the country: www.mcstate.com

More info about National Hiring Day at McDonald’s: www.mcdonalds.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/McDonalds

Twitter: www.twitter.com/McDonalds_DMV 

ASK THE STRATEGIST – Interview with the Director of the DC Women’s Business Center

We asked Samira Cook-Gaines, Director of the DC Women’s Business Center (www.dcwbc.org), to detail some key strategies for business owners. Take a look at the video interview to hear what she has to say!

COMING SOON…Stay tuned for our new video diary,  A Day in the Life, featuring corporations and nonprofit organizations from around the country. The DC Women’s Business Center will be the first featured!

“Connect To Advance”- Multicultural Networking Event
Hosted by Alton Fox and Julie Tanpitukpong

Date: Thursday, February 17, 2011
Time: 6-9 pm
Location: Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing
201 South Columbus Blvd Philadelphia, PA 19106
Theme: “Winter Wonderland on the Waterfront”
Cost: Registration – $10 Click link below to register:
http://connecttoadvancewinter.eventbrite.com
(Register under “Women’s MBA Network”)
Business Casual Attire
Complimentary self-parking

Connect to Advance is excited to bring “Winter Wonderland on the Waterfront” to the Hyatt Regency at Penn’s Landing. Come enjoy executive chef – inspired appetizers and discounted seasonal cocktails guaranteed to warm up your winter season. Complimentary self-parking is included.

Part of the proceeds will benefit the Philadelphia Chapter of the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE). Their mission is to provide programs that inspire young people from low-income communities to stay in school, to recognize business opportunities, and to plan for successful futures.

For more information, go to www.connecttoadvance.com.