cover image What Works for Women at Work: Four Patterns Working Women Need to Know

What Works for Women at Work: Four Patterns Working Women Need to Know

Joan C. Williams and Rachel Dempsey. New York Univ., $24.95 (384p) ISBN 978-1-4798-3545-4

Law professor Williams (Unbending Gender) and her daughter, Dempsey, a student at Yale Law School, share social psychology resources as well as insights from 127 members of the New Girls’ Network, a group of female executives, in order to elucidate four systemic trends that affect women in the workplace. “Prove-It-Again!” means that women must continually demonstrate their competence. “The Tightrope” is the challenge of being perceived as too masculine or too feminine, both of which can engage negative stereotypes. The “Maternal Wall” reflects the competing social roles of employee and mother. The “Tug of War” is the real or perceived hindrance of women in the workplace by one another. The authors effectively explore how gender bias affects women in different generations. Overall, the authors offer a two-pronged message to readers: 1) these issues are not your fault; 2) here’s what you can do to counteract the problem. In addition, an NSF-funded study allowed Williams to interview 60 female scientists of color to explore the intersection of gender and racial stereotype and bias. The book offers an accessible and sound model of problems faced by women climbing the corporate ladder, and presents clear strategies to take while waiting for business culture to catch up. Agent: Roger S. Williams, New England Publishing Assoc. (Feb.)