Jada Pinkett-Smith: The War on Men Through the Degradation of Woman

Jada Pinkett-Smith: “The War on Men Through the Degradation of Woman” -

" How is man to recognize his full self, his full power through the eye’s of an incomplete woman?
The woman who has been stripped of Goddess recognition and diminished to a big ass and full breast for physical comfort only.

The woman who has been silenced so she may forget her spiritual essence because her words stir too much thought outside of the pleasure space.

The woman who has been diminished to covering all that rots inside of her with weaves and red bottom shoes. I am sure the men, who restructured our societies from cultures that honored woman, had no idea of the outcome.

They had no idea that eventually, even men would render themselves empty and longing for meaning, depth and connection.

 There is a deep sadness when I witness a man that can’t recognize the emptiness he feels when he objectifies himself as a bank and truly believes he can buy love with things and status. It is painful to witness the betrayal when a woman takes him up on that offer. He doesn’t recognize that the [creation] of a half woman has contributed to his repressed anger and frustration of feeling he is not enough. He then may love no woman or keep many half women as his prize.

 He doesn’t recognize that it’s his submersion in the imbalanced warrior culture, where violence is the means of getting respect and power, as the reason he can break the face of the woman who bore him 4 four children.

 When woman is lost, so is man. The truth is, woman is the window to a man’s heart and a man’s heart is the gateway to his soul. Power and control will NEVER out weigh love.

 May we all find our way.



 ~ Jada Pinkett-Smith, Sinuous Magazine

Let Loose & Live!

I love that this guy is his TRUE authentic self! Doesn't matter he's on public transit system. Hey, if you've got the groove, move! Imagine how happy he must be without living with regrets and just "doing his own thang". Are you living your life with purpose? How liberating! Take a watch and enjoy :) Maybe learn some moves!

Fighters for Fighters - What are YOU Fighting For?

Here is a testimonial I was asked to do and why I wanted to "fight" in the upcoming "Fighters for Fighters" event being held Wednesday, December 12th, 2012 at the Liberty North.

This is a benefit to help the Barrie Women and Children's Shelter. And despite the name...it's anything but encouraging fighting and violence. Everyone has a reason and a "why". Here's mine...

Exercising Our Rights...

Many years I did not vote because I didn't believe in anyone running in Political office would have my best interest at heart. I felt that it didn't matter that once they were in office, public wouldn't be heard. HOWEVER....
I then realized many others before me fought for MY right as a woman to vote. Then I also wasn't in any position to comment or "complain" because I hadn't exercised my right. So two years ago - I finally did for the first time in my life and really happy with my decision!

This is a photo of Susan B. Anthony trying to vote in 1872, at that point it was illegal for a woman to vote. She was beaten and arrested for trying to do something we all take for granted today.
Do we want her efforts to be in vain?

Women - In the Words of Aaron Paquette

Women, you carry so much for us. You carry our burdens, you carry our pains, you carry our fears. You carry us for 9 months and never stop. 

You also carry our hopes. You carry our dreams, and you carry the sacred fire.You carry the light of our future.

And the truth...the truth is you have been punished. Held down, and treated like second hand citizens. Any respect you have, any rights, you have had to work for, fight for and assert daily. You don’t get paid as much, you don’t promoted as often and your intuition has been mocked, and even punished.

You have suffered for centuries under the thumb of men who fear your power.

Because your power, your truth, your fire, when unleashed, will lead us into a an entirely new world. If it were your voices being heard these past decades our planet would be in a very different condition. We would have clean air for our young people as they run and play. We would have clean water for them to drink. And we would have clean soil to feed our children well.

The time has come: we need your voices, we need your strength, more now than ever.

You carry so much for us, now it’s time to lift yourselves. Raise yourselves, and speak. You are the true strength in the world: the strength of life.

And that’s what others fear. They fear that you will end the insanity we’re locked in because they can’t see a different kind of reality. All they see is: I gotta get mine before there’s none left.

Of course, they are talking about the total depletion of the earth, after which we will have nothing. It’s a path that leads to the destruction of the world as we know it.We need you - mothers, sisters, daughters - more than ever.

We need you. Our children need you. The world needs you.

You are beautiful, you are intelligent, and you are wise.

Men are not your enemies, they are your sons. And we need your love, your guidance, your intuition.

You can reshape this world. You can make it a paradise. You.

And you can do it without stepping on anyone else. You can do it in partnership, the way it is meant to be.

Step into your power.

And never, ever let anyone take it from you again.

hiy hiy



-------

words/art: aaron paquette

Definition for life - Alpha Female

Call her the “Alpha Female”: inspiring, confident, bold yet feminine, tough, honest and authentic.

Ask a scientist, they’ll tell you it’s all down to subtle differences in the way the male and female brain works: women possess a unique and powerful skill set when it comes to communication, intuition, the ability to nurture and empathize with others. What is now undeniable is that the same traits used over countless generations to parent can be applied to management of people and large corporations.

Do What You Love! How to Identify and Pursue Your Passions

I spent nearly 15 years working in nonprofit management, mostly in fundraising and marketing. I was good at it—people told me so all the time. It came easily to me, paid the bills, and was a very comfortable career path.

And yet, I simply didn’t love it.

Don’t get me wrong—it was okay. I learned a lot and worked with some great people. But I envied those folks who had a spring in their step on the way to work—people who absolutely loved what they did and couldn’t wait to roll up their sleeves and get busy on the job. I always wanted to be one of those people.

I finally went for it. I left my mediocre non-profit job and started my own corporate communications business. It’s been nearly a year, and while there have been many bumps along the way, I can now say with full confidence that I really love what I do.

As Confucius said, “choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.” It’s great advice, but it’s not always that simple—it can be difficult to figure out what you love and how to parlay that into a viable business or job. So here’s a step-by-step plan for pinpointing your passions—and four ways to help you start turning them into your career.

1. Remember What You Loved as a Child

Often, our truest passions emerge in childhood, only to be squelched by real life pressures. So think about what you loved long before you had to worry about your career. Writing? Science experiments? Taking care of people? Getting back in touch with those instincts is an important step in finding your passion.

2. Eliminate Money from the Equation

If money were no object, what would you do? Would you travel? Spend all of your time with your children? Would you start a charitable organization to help abused women? Of course money can’t be ignored, but don’t let financial pressures dictate your choices. Your career should ultimately lead to financial security, but if financial security is the defining motivator, it’s unlikely you’ll end up doing what you love.

3. Ask Your Friends for Feedback

Sometimes you’re just not the best judge of what makes you happy. Ask the people who know you intimately when you seem the happiest and what you do the most enthusiastically. Their answers may surprise you.

4. Read through a University Course Catalog

Find some quiet time and see which courses naturally interest you. What would you study if you could do it all over? What courses do you think you could teach? Which subjects scare you to death, and which ones do you find boring? Revisiting these possibilities will help point you in the direction of subjects and topics that you love.

5. Identify your Professional Hero

Of everyone you know, either personally or in your extended frame of reference (from your dermatologist to Oprah), whose career would you most want to emulate? Reach out to her to learn more about how she got to where she is, or, if that’s not possible, read everything you can about her career and life. 

6. Think of What You Enjoy That You Also Do Well

After you’ve done these exercises, think about what you’ve learned. Focus on the things that you both enjoy and do well—whether you have a way with animals, make a killer lemon tart, or are crazy for origami—and write them down. Then, narrow the list to the top three or four things. Keep it handy, review it often, and use it as your jumping-off point when you’re plotting your career move.

Getting Started

Once you have a solid idea of what you love doing, it can still be a big leap to turn that passion into a viable career. Here are four easy steps to start making the change:

1. Talk to a Career Counselor

Career counselors help others figure out what they want for a living, and they’ll have insights and tools to help you zero in on the things you love most and do best, and also be able to offer ideas and guidance on how to find a career that best suits those passions. Take advantage of those resources.

2. Leverage Social Media

More than ever, we live in a social world. Once you’ve identified what it is that you love, get busy on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, connecting with people who share your areas of interest. Read blogs, join forums, and find out what it’s really like to do what you love.

3. Start Saving Money

Once you feel strongly that you want to start down this new path, start saving. A lot. The more money you have in the bank, the less finances will have to rule your decisions. And the less scary it will be if and when you do quit your job.

4. Just Do It

Ultimately, you won’t really know what you love to do unless you actually bite the bullet. Until you give it a go, it’s really just speculation. So, whether you take a small step like signing up for a class or you dive head-first into entrepreneurship, roll up your sleeves and do it. You’ll never know until you try.

I found my passion—and I’m grateful for that. But these tips are still serving me well as I go down this path, because it’s important that my work continues to be fueled by what I love most. And if that falls into place, I am hopeful that I’ll never have to work a day in my life.

This article is part of Ruth Zive’s column “Flying By The Seat of My Pants” 

Ruth Zive is a professional writer and blogger, wife, mom-to-five (plus pooch), designer handbag enthusiast, Ashtanga yoga practitioner, special needs advocate, and vegetarian chocoholic (not necessarily in that order). Read more at her blog, www.freelancewritingblog.com.

Shannon Murree Announces Charity Event in Barrie

What a great event is coming to Barrie....what is it? Check out this video from Shannon Murree of The Shannon Murree Team of RE/MAX Chay Realty Inc Brokerage

Walk a Mile in her Shoes: Gangnam Style

Heritage Park Barrie, Ontario - Sunday, October 14th at 11:00 am - see you there and watch these and many other guys 'Walk A Mile In Her Shoes"

Images of Women in Media

As a society, we are constantly bombarded by images from the media.  Many of these images are ones that objectify or involve violence against women.   Most of the images of women in the media portray them to be dramatically thin, abnormally beautiful, and successful in romantic relationships.  Women in ads and images are almost always overpowered by men.   It is also alarming that the media promotes these images and ideas.  We think since we see it so regularly in the media and become so desensitized to it, that it is alright to happen in real life.  When producers in the media try to “break through the clutter” and catch people’s attention with alarming images, we come to accept them; especially when they become more and more consistent. As women, we feel like we have to allow this type of treatment from men because it’s what we see all the time.  This image shows a female being controlled by a male, which is very common in the media today. 

 Another disturbing idea in media is the idea that women all women are thin, beautiful, and sexy.  In reality, no one looks this way without alterations and surgical enhancements.  The beauty portrayed in the media is unachievable, and when consumers can’t reach this level of beauty, we feel upset and disappointed.  In a way, this works to the producer’s advantage, because when we realize we don’t look a certain way, we talk ourselves into buying products in hopes of them helping us achieve the unachievable.   This turns into a cycle because we can never become what the products promise.  This is a danger to women too, because we go to extreme levels and do whatever it takes to be “beautiful”.  The media shows a very unrealistic image of the average women in this world.  This image shows a woman with unrealistic thinness and beauty.  These too, are very common in the media. (Guest Blogger)

DO SOMETHING! It's not just women. It's distortion of men too. Take a look at the above video.


Celebrities all the time fight to be "normal" when on camera and in the public. Lady Gaga Fights Weight Criticism by Asking Fans to Embrace ‘Flaws’ - turning the criticism about her weight gain into a tool to help others. Today on her social networking site, LittleMonsters.com, she launched a Body Revolution section to “inspire bravery” and ”celebrate with us your ‘perceived flaws.’
She writes: “Hey Guys its Gaga,” she wrote. “Now that the body revolution has begun, be brave and post a photo of you that celebrates your triumph over insecurities.”

Lady Gaga

Singer Adele called "Too Fat" by Chanel Designer

On film...Mila Kunis dropped 20 pounds off her 5-foot-two-inch frame to play a ballerina in 2010's "Black Swan." "I could see why this industry is so f*cked up, because at 95 pounds, I would literally look at myself in the mirror and I was like, 'Oh my God!' she told E! News. "I had no shape, no boobs, no ass .. All you saw was bone." Kunis continued: "In real life, I looked disgusting, but in photographs and on film, it looked amazing." 

Media...



















We need to highlight the victories of each and every woman. Sometimes we are harder on each other because we have to fight harder to get there. Perhaps we are less inclined to give another woman a break.  Here's a great quick video.

Pamper Yourself! 10 Ways to Totally Self-Indulge

Summer is over! I felt it as soon as I stepped outside this morning—the air was crisp with a snap that was nonexistent just last week. As I watched the pool company close up my little backyard oasis, I couldn’t help but feel nostalgic for the lazy, relaxing, and self-indulgent pace ofsummer.

Probably because the day September hit it seemed that the pace of work picked up in an instant. My phone was ringing off the hook, I had meetings scheduled back to back, my friends were creeping out of the woodwork eager to reconnect. Just halfway through the month, I was feeling a little crazed—and very depleted.

But I’ve regained my composure, and here’s how: a little self-indulgence.

It doesn’t have to be costly or time-consuming, but taking care of yourself is critical if you want to maintain a sense of sanity and momentum going into the winter. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or underappreciated, read on for 10 simple ways to make yourself feel absolutely spoiled—and to refuel your engine for the long haul!

 1. Have a Picnic for One

If the weather permits, grab a book or a stack of magazines, a cozy blanket, and a basket filled with your favorite tasty treats. Find a shaded spot in the park by a colorfully-leafed tree and just chill.

2. Chocolate, Baby!

Scope out your neighborhood for a gourmet chocolate shop and treat yourself to three luscious truffles (or four…or five). Make sure you eat them slowly, savoring the flavors; make the experience last.

 3. Soak in a Hot Tub in the Dark

Add some essential oils (lavender and mint are really lovely), dim the lights, light a candle, close your eyes, and give yourself a full hour to unwind.

 4. Enjoy High Tea

Just because you aren’t British doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a posh midafternoon snack. Indulge in scones, clotted cream, and a few petit fours, topped off with a pot of specialty tea.

 5. Indulge in a Warm Bed and tub of Haagen Dazs

It may sound cliché, but nothing soothes me after a long day of work like a dose of mindless reality television and a tub of Sticky Toffee Pudding under the covers.

 6. Head North with Tunes

Drive—with no destination in mind. Blare music, roll down the windows, and fire up the seat warmers. Something about being alone in the car heading nowhere is infinitely calming.

 7. Breathe Deeply and Consciously

You can do this anywhere for a quick pick-me-up. Take at least 30 deep, conscious, slow breaths—four seconds in, four seconds out. Sit quietly while you’re doing it, avoid distractions, and keep your eyes closed.

 8. Whiten Your Teeth

Several over-the-counter kits really work! And you no longer have to commit to drooling through those disgusting strips every night for two weeks—you can whiten in just one application. White teeth make you look brighter and more energized. And chances are, if you look brighter, you’ll feel that way, too.

 9. Take a Naked Nap

(Alone, or not!) Make your bed with the softest sheets you own (or buy new ones!), surround yourself with lots of pillows, slip out of your clothes, and enjoy.

 10. Smell the Flowers

Literally. It has been proven that floral scents are mood manipulators, and flowers can actually make you happy. Treat yourself to your favorite bouquet and place it somewhere easily visible—and smellable.

 Doing one or two of the things on this list each week will help you feel a little pampered. And when we work as hard as we do, we all need to feel pampered.

 What self-indulgent strategies do you use to help you get through your work week?

Photos courtesy of J.B. Hill and Dennis Wong.

Keeping Your Entrepreneurial Cool: Tips for Managing Chaos

by Ruth Zive

I recently left my well-paying, secure, perfectly enjoyable job in the non-profit world to start my own business. Did I mention that I have five children (one of whom has special needs), a dog, a husband (who also recently launched a new business), and lots of bills to pay? But I’ve long felt in my gut that this was my path, so despite these “obstacles,” I finally took the plunge.

The year since I’ve made that decision has been a hectic, exciting, stressful, demanding, and exhilarating journey. So far, I have no regrets. But I do have less time, less energy, and less focus. My new business has sucked the life out of me (okay, I’m exaggerating—a smidge), and I’ve had to become very deliberate about how I leverage my spare moments to keep myself sane. I’m not talking here about taking baths or long walks or putting aside time for date night. I’m talking multi-tasking, stress-busting, keep-your-head-screwed-on-right tactics.

If you’re thinking of starting your own business—or just feeling overworked—consider these tips to find some balance in your life (and lower your shrink bill considerably).

1. Turn off the Internet 

I’m starting out easy here, but you heard me. Turn that Internet off for one hour—at least. Our brains have become overloaded with tweets and blogs and emails and pokes. You can’t beproductive (or see straight) if Tweetdeck is running in the background and your friends are tagging your pictures on Facebook. For at least one hour during your workday, ideally at the same time every day, take an Internet break and focus exclusively on whatever real-life task you have at hand.

 2. Delegate to Others

Delegate to your spouse, your friends, your parents, coworkers, even your children—anyone with a pulse. Lean on others, and don’t be shy asking for help and calling in favors. There is no shame in needing support, especially if it helps you to be the best that you can be. If you are a mom, give your children responsibilities. I’m not advocating child labor, but nurturing a sense of independence and work ethic in your children will not only help you stay sane, but it will also help prepare them for the responsibilities that life will inevitably bring.

3. Plan for Retirement

Advanced financial planning might seem like a ludicrous proposition if money is tight and you’re forgoing your morning coffee just to pay the mortgage. But finding a way to put aside funds foryour future is important, no matter what your financial situation. Moreover, knowing that you are sticking to your plan will give you peace of mind during what will likely be a very unsettling time in your life.

4. Have Lots of Sex with Someone You Love

This may sound crass, but it’s true! Regular sex not only reduces stress levels, but it keeps you connected emotionally to the person you love. And what could be better when you’re feeling tense and alone in your new solo venture?

 5. Celebrate Your Success

With the right focus, determination, and hard work, success will follow. But it won’t happen all at once, and it’s important to celebrate your accomplishments along the way. When you hit small milestones, take a short vacation, have a day at the spa, or buy yourself a new handbag. You deserve it!

Integrate these strategies into your regular routine, and your entrepreneurial journey will be much more enjoyable and grounded. From one entrepreneur to another, stay busy, stay sane, and good luck!

It might be a myth that women can “have it all,” but don’t throw in the towel just yet. If anyone understands how to balance a job, family and friends, and maintaining sanity, too, it’s Ruth Zive. Every other Tuesday, check out her column “Flying by the Seat of My Pants,” on finding your passion, managing chaos, and having a full life at and outside of work.

Self-Promotion Lessons Inspired By Forbes’ 100 Most Powerful Women

One of the lessons is to “put yourself out there.” Indeed, if you look at theWorld’s 100 Most Powerful Women 2012 you see the success from self-promotion:  Sara Blakely selling her Spanx firsthand in the foyer of Neiman Marcus or Fawzia Koofi publishing a book and announcing, despite death threats, her intention to run for President of Afghanistan. But how exactly do you put yourself out there?

 “Put” = what do you do to self-promote

Self-promotion can be a 1:1 conversation with your boss about your accomplishments to date and your near-term goals. Or it can be a social media campaign to develop an engaged audience and a powerful brand that attracts opportunities to you. Or it can be multiple things including both proactive, scheduled meetings with decision-makers like your boss and more passive marketing efforts.

The best self-promotion is something you will consistently do. Consistency is key because putting yourself out there isn’t a one-time effort but rather something you must regularly do. Opportunities abound at different times, and you want to stay front-of-mind on an ongoing basis. Therefore, where you have some flexibility in picking what you will do to promote (e.g., speaking, writing, social media, networking via trade associations or conferences), you want to pick something you are willing to do for the long-term. But there are some things you must do (e.g., making sure your boss and senior management know your value) so you can’t only focus on where you’re comfortable.

 “Yourself” = what parts of yourself do you showcase

Even after you’ve decided that, yes, you will self-promote and, yes, you will embrace both active and passive mediums, you still need to decide what you are going to promote. Your accomplishments, skills and experience are obvious parts of your package that you want to showcase. But you also need to decide which specific accomplishments, skills and experience are most relevant to share.

If you are aiming for a leadership role, then the results you’ve achieved before as an individual contributor, while impressive, may be less relevant, than examples where you propose ideas or set strategy. If the company is moving in a direction that emphasizes a skill you have, but that is not a majority of your background, you may still want to emphasize it. You pick what your showcase based, not just on what is authentic to you, but also what resonates to your target audience.

 “Out There” = who are you trying to attract

The best self-promotion resonates to your target audience, so you need to know whose attention you are seeking. If your goal is advancing in your current company, who are the decision-makers for promotions? If your goal is a career change, who makes the hiring decisions for the roles you want? One of my clients was a superstar in his large company but this didn’t help his dream of running a start-up in a related but distinct industry. The decision-makers who knew him were senior executives, and now his audience needed to include venture capitalists and investors funding the start-ups he prized.

Even if you want to stay where you are, your audience should always be broader than just your boss because opportunities exist both inside and outside of your current company. Competitor companies, potential clients and customers, executive recruiters, media, investors, even networking contacts who may refer you are all part of the audience “out there.”

Putting yourself out there is not a broad, amorphous concept. To put yourself out there effectively means you practice self-promotion, you showcase your value, and you engage the audience who are making the decisions or know about the opportunities. You raise your odds of serendipitous outcomes, unexpected offers, and lucky breaks.

Caroline Ceniza-Levine writes success tips for career and business, having launched a range of businesses

Six ways to define yourself as a leader

What strikes me, in having worked with hundreds of women leaders, is how much we get in our own way and shut down our progress.

- We are not clear about who we are and what we stand for.
- We are not good at making our vision real and actionable.
- We hold self limiting beliefs about what is possible.
- We don’t get into action or if we do, we lose momentum.

For example, I recently worked with Jane, a senior woman in the technology space. We were talking about leadership and what makes a great leader. Jane told me that the best leaders that she worked with had a number of specific attributes.

- They were clear on their purpose and values.
- They were authentic – what they said and what they did matched.
- They supported and mentored others.
- They took risks and were not afraid of making mistakes.

What does this mean for you? Who are you as a leader? How do you develop clarity on your leadership vision? Here are some things to think about:

1. What are the qualities that make you stand out? In my client’s case it was her ability to connect the dots and tell a story from the data. She also has a personality that draws people in and engages them in conversation. Think back to times when you have really shone and ask yourself the question “what was I doing and how was I being that made me stand out”.

2. Check in with others and ask them to describe your strengths. Speak to colleagues, family members, your community. We can often be modest when describing our own strengths and not see what we bring to the table. With these strengths ask yourself what qualities was I demonstrating? What impact was I having on others?

3. Do you know what values are most important to you? The qualities that make you stand out are rooted in and directly linked to two or three core values and what you are passionate about. Think of high points in your life. See what is important about each one. Your high points are times when you are living your values.

Now look at your low points. These are times when your values have been compromised. What values were absent or threatened that made it so unsatisfying for you?

4. Pick two or three values and really embrace them. Bring them “into your bones” so they become an essential part of you, like your muscles, skin and bone. The more you step into and lead from your values, the more authentic you will be.

5. What impact do you want to have as a leader? Research shows that people remember us for what we say, the stories we tell, how we respond under pressure and what we are seen to reward. The greatest leaders tell stories that support their
values and what they are looking to cause in the world. What stories do you want to tell? What impression do you want to leave after chance or short meetings? What value do you want to bring to others?

6. What is your legacy? This last idea brings it all together. Get clear on your purpose, the “why” you are here. We all have a purpose, a reason for being, and the clearer we get on what that is, the more we can lean into it and live productive, fulfilled lives. And in living our purpose we will empower others to live it as well.

So what are you waiting for? Look inward and ask yourself who am I as a leader and what do I stand for? Are you ready to make a difference in your life and in the teams that you lead?

Bonnie Flatt is an executive coach who works with individuals and teams to understand and align on their purpose and values and develop goals and outcomes that deliver meaningful results. Bonnie will be launching a women in leadership series this fall.  If you are interested in learning more contact her at bonnie@bonnieflatt.com or follow her on twitter @BonnieFlatt.

The World’s 100 Most Powerful (And Connected) Women

This year’s 100 Most Powerful Women have never been more powerful – or connected. Whether leading multi-billion-dollar companies, governing countries, shaping the cultural fabric of our lives, or spearheading humanitarian initiatives, collectively these women are changing the planet in profoundly powerful and dynamic ways. And to that end, this year’s Power Women exert influence through very different platforms, and to very different ends, and all with very different impacts on the global community.

As you might imagine, measuring the relative power of such a diverse group of women is an enormous challenge. How do you quantify the difference between political leaders, likeHillary Clinton (#2) to those dictating from the sides of a runway like Anna Wintour (#51)? Yet across their multiple spheres of influence, there is one commonality among all of this year’s power women: they all have achieved power through connectivity – the remarkable ability to build community around the organizations they oversee, the countries they lead, the causes they champion, and the personal brands they’ve created.  It may be true that connectivity and collaboration have always been the cornerstones for achieving and maintaining lasting influence. But what’s incontrovertible is that power today has been amplified and transformed by dramatic changes to this force of connectivity. 

Technology has forever changed the scope of power today, especially for these 100 women. People and cultures are connected through rapid communication and the exchange of seemingly endless information, all through new platforms and tools. Just look at social media allowing individuals to more effectively build communities and reach a critical mass. Facebook’s COO Sheryl Sandberg (#10) is just one of this year’s many Power Women behind this tectonic technology, prompting us to break out technology for the first time as a separate power category. Between this year’s new tech titans in C-Suite like Yahoo’s Marissa Mayer (#21) or Virginia Rometty (#15) CEO of IBM, women are dominating some of the most high-profile firms in the world and helping to drive far more ways for each of us to have power.

In an age of unprecedented connectivity, the influence of this year’s political powerhouses, and women’s political power worldwide, now extends far beyond traditional borders of country and continent. While German Chancellor Angela Merkel has reined supreme six out of the past seven years in the number one spot, her power today has never been greater. She not only holds the fate of the Eurozone debt crisis in her hands, but she has the power to profoundly impact the fate of the world’s most tenuous economic markets.

The ability to scale one’s influence is also much greater today than it would have been a decade ago when we first envisioned our list. 14 of this year’s listees are from the media world, like Jill Abramson, Editor of one of the most revered voices in journalism, The New York Times, and #5 on our list. Abramson doesn’t just report on the world’s most pressing news, she’s defining it alongside those media mavens redefining the industry as we know it. Who would have imagined that a 20-something author of artist biographies would evolve into one of the most successful media entrepreneurs of the past decade connecting thousands of media bloggers under one brand as Arianna Huffington (#29) has done.

Put simply, virtual networks and communities around the world have democratized the ability for anyone to rise to power and influence the masses. What’s more, cultural impact can at times mean as much as money and political influence. From the social causes we champion, to the products that get our share of wallet, to what gets talked about with friends, power women also build and broadcast their personal brands. Lady Gaga (#14) is an ever-provocative example of transformational power, going from the top of the billboard charts to top rankings within our power list in a matter of years. With a mere 140 characters, Lady Gaga can speak to 28 million “little monsters” around the world. Across Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, this social star collectively reaches over 80 million people around the world with just one click of the mouse – a constituency roughly the same size as the one controlled by the world’s most powerful woman, Angela Merkel. At just 26 years-old, Lady Gaga has become an outsized influencer of our times and redefining the face of power women in the future.

Finally, this year’s listees have teamed up with other Power Women, to harness their respective areas of influence in an effort to broaden their scope of impact.  With her mission to educate Americans about nutrition and fitness, First Lady Michelle Obama (#7) launched the “Let’s Move” initiative in 2009, rallying support from leaders across diverse industries including PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi (#12). With revenues of close to $66b, this snack food giant committed to cutting over one trillion calories from its product lines by 2015 under Nooyi’s directive thanks to power collaborating with power.

While today’s rapidly evolving environment has created far more ways to achieve influence, now more than ever, power can be fleeting.  With that in mind, our annual Power Women’s list has always served as a snapshot in time, paying special homage to those who have managed to sustain their influence in today’s rapidly-changing environment – all the while circumventing traditional obstacles and bypassing naysayers and critics.

Secrets for Nailing a Pitch From 7 Female Founders

Want to take your start-up to the next level, get in front of dozens of investors, and even score some funding?

If so (and if your company has at least one female founder), apply now to Women 2.0′s PITCH NYC Conference & Competition 2012 in November. Finalists will get the opportunity to pitch their company to a panel of investors, and the winner will get a meeting with Marc Andreessen (Co-Founder & General Partner, Andreessen Horowitz), a one-year service to Rackspace (valued at $24,000), and an automatic finalist interview for TechStars NYC Winter 2013 class.

Ready to get started? Check out the application details (hurry—the deadline is August 31), then get some insider tips for pitching your company from these six successful founders and advisors

I subscribe to the 10,000-hour rule to mastery, so practice, practice, practice until your pitch becomes natural and unscripted. Practice day and night, in the shower, in bed, whenever. Also, watch this and learn how to invoke the audiences’ emotions so they remember your pitch. Last but not least, pitch with no shoes on and always smile!

Cheryl Yeoh
Founder & CEO of Reclip.It

Do everything you can to not give a damn when you walk into the room to pitch. Line up enough other opportunities, options, and ways of thinking about where you’re at, that you don’t suffer from ‘OMG it all hinges on this one presentation!’ mindset. That way you’ll be relaxed, confident, able to enjoy pitching the venture you’re passionate about, and all of that will shine through and make for a much better pitch.

Cindy Gallop
Founder, IfWeRanTheWorld and Make Love Not Porn

1. If you don’t piss at least some people off, what you are doing isn’t revolutionary.

2. Don’t be afraid to paint your vision as big as you’ve dreamed it.

3. Your investors need to like your idea/business but fall in love with you. Because if they love your idea more than they believe in your ability to adapt and execute, they are the wrong investors.

4. Be proud of your xx chromosomes, but walk into that pitch with balls.

Maria Seidman
CEO & Co-Founder, Yapp

In terms of advice, I would say being authentic is the most important thing. Companies are investing in you as much as they are in your idea and company. Sherpaa’s whole brand is built on trust and honesty, so it’s not only what we stand for as a company but also how we guide every decision we make.”

Cheryl Swirnow
Co-Founder, Sherpaa

The most important thing to do before you pitch a VC is take some time to get to know them. Ask for a soft intro meeting to see if they are a fit for you. People invest based on data and emotion. So, understand if the dynamic works before you do the formal pitch.

Kristen Galliani
Co-Founder and Chief Juggler, Meshin

Be genuine and passionate. If nothing else, the audience will remember your positive energy. Passion is transformative, infectious, and moves people to action—which may be a connection, referral, great idea, or funding.

Jennifer Hill
International Venture Lawyer/Start-up Advisor

Tell a story. Most likely, the audience you are pitching to will be hearing a lot of pitches on one day. Instead of listing out a series of facts about your business, you want to weave those facts together to present a cohesive story. It will help the audience to follow and be easier for you to remember while on stage.

Samantha O’Keefe
Founder, MicroEval