Wanted: Women of HR Site Contributors

It started one cold night in Chicago, when a diverse group of women representing various ages and backgrounds, gathered together from across the country. There were pomegranate martinis, laughter, and great conversation.

And from that lively conversation came a question:

Why isn't there a site dedicated to the development of women in HR and Business the way we wanted one to be? Some place that women can go to get information, discuss the issues that impact their lives, and find that sense of community and collaboration that we were all experiencing at that very moment. But most importantly, if it didn't exist already, what was stopping us for doing it ourselves?

It was obvious what we needed to do. Headed up by me as editor in chief along with co-founders Trish McFarlane and Shauna Moerke, Women of HR is designed to be a multiple contributor blog that will address what struck us as an area of the online community currently being under serviced. It's all about community, support, and fun.

Call for Contributors

We are seeking 12 -15 contributors who can commit to one original blog post/per month. If you are not able to commit to that schedule, but are interested in writing, we'd like to hear from you too.

You do not have to have a blog, or be a woman, to contribute. This may be the perfect opportunity for you to get your ideas out. Our focus is on informing and supporting women and we are open to a wide range of topics.

What to Do

Intrigued and want to get involved? Send an email to WomenofHR at gmail dot com and include:

• Your level of interest, i.e. the frequency of your contribution to the site
• A brief bio, 75 words max with links to your websites, profiles, etc.
• A picture of you to go with your bio

That's it. Please be sure to contact us no later than Friday May 28th if you are interested. It's been a long time coming but things are moving fast now and we are pushing forward full steam!

I hope you all are just as excited as we are and we look forward to hearing from you.

Do Women's Networks Belong In The Workplace?

I am a woman, I seek out books and blogs written by women, I am coached by a woman, and I am one of three founding members of the very cool, soon-to-be-released Women of HR website. 

So, why does the idea of a women's network in the workplace make me uneasy? 

A Sum of My Experiences 

I listened closely last month during the Women's Leadership Conference as panel members discussed  women's networks. One senior woman leader stated she declined to participate in the women's network because, "she was not a victim." This stopped me in my tracks with a flicker of recognition. Wow.

Flashback to 1985 to me as a brand new second lieutenant looking to make a name for myself. I was highly encouraged to join a women's network by my battalion commander. That network was the officer's wives club. Good intentions and gender aside, I had little in common with this group.

Flashback to early 1990s to me reporting into a new unit. My commander held the door for me, offered me his seat, and, clearly uncomfortable, asked if he could make me some coffee. Tucking away this little power of balance nugget, I assured him I was more capable than most of the men in his unit. We took it to the pistol range. Girl out shoots boy. Case closed.

The women's networks of 2010 are very different from the officer wives clubs of 1985, yet they leave me with the same uneasiness. 

Proving a Point 

I'd like to say my prowess with a 9mm back in the day was a result of my natural marksman skills, but it was not. It was the result of one non-commissioned officer, my Lady Wesson, weekends at the Ramstein Rod and Gun club, and a desire to prove a point. That was not the first time I felt I had to prove a point, nor was it the last.

I was treated differently because of my gender and that was the last thing I wanted. Is that what this uneasiness is all about? 

Or is it because women's networks do not belong in the workplace? 

If you'd like to continue receiving updates to the blog, please update your RSS subscription and/or your email subscription by clicking the link below. It's very easy to do and will only take a minute.  

 CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEW FEED IN A READER OR VIA EMAIL