Biddie Reads: Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg

This book changed my life.

And now I'm going to gush about how everybody needs read this book stat.  Like, go buy a copy (totally worth the $12.81 plus tax) right now, because this book is what you've been missing in your life. 

Sheryl Sandberg is the current COO of Facebook, which is a huge deal because well, it's Facebook.  And because she's a woman in a very male-dominant industry.  And because she's literally brilliant.  And she's also really pretty.

 Now, now, let's not panic -- this book is not an anti-men, burn-your-bras feminist manifesto.  I mean, it kind of is a feminist manifesto, but only in a sense that she addresses gender inequality issues (i.e. gender roles, wage gap, etc.) that are so blatant in the society.  The majority of the book is about empowering women and men to see what is wrong with the picture and strive for a better one.  It's about becoming an assertive self-advocate, a compassionate leader, a nurturing parent, an encouraging friend -- a better person in general.

Sorority snaps on sorority snaps!

Now here are the things that I highlighted (yes, I highlight my books) in my copy:

One.

Sandberg's Barnard College commencement speech: "I hope you find true meaning, contentment, and passion in your life.  I hope you navigate the difficult times and come out with greater strength and resolve.  I hope you find whatever balance you seek with your eyes wide open.  And I hope that you -- yes, you -- have the ambition to lean in to your career and run the world.  Because the world needs you to change it.  Women all around the world are counting on you.

So please ask yourself: What would I do if I weren't afraid?  And then go do it."

Two.

"Heidi/Howard" experiment conducted by Columbia Business School professor Frank Flynn and New York University professor Cameron Anderson revealed that, "success and likeability are positively correlated for men and negatively correlated for women." 

In layman's term, this means that ambitious women are considered bitches and ambitious men are praised for being the man.  Mind blown.  And yet so accurate.

  

Three.

Career vs. Family: the Ultimate Battle for Women

Why is this even an issue that women need to consider?  Why can't you keep doing what you love and also have a family -- why do they have to be mutually exclusive? 

"Imagine that a career is like a marathon -- a long grueling, and ultimately rewarding endeavor.  Now imagine a marathon where both  men and women arrive at the starting line equally fit and trained.  The gun goes off.  The men and women run side by side.  The male marathoners are routinely cheered on: 'Lookin' strong!  On your way!'  But the female runners hear a different message.  'You know you don't have to do this!' the crowd shouts.  Or 'Good start -- but you probably won't want to finish.'  The farther the marathoners run, the louder the cries grow for men: 'Keep going!  You've got this!'  But the women hear more and more doubts about their efforts.  External voices, and often their own internal voice, repeatedly question their decision to keep running.  The voices can even grow hostile.  As the women struggle to endure the rigors of the race, spectators shout, 'Why are you running when your children need you at home?'"

Four.

We all need to help each other, because that's the only way we can really improve.  Especially women.

Sandberg quotes the former secretary of state Madeleine Albright, who said, "There's a special place in hell for women who don't help other women."

Now, do you think we can change the world together? 

(PS.  None of these pictures are mine, obvi)