Intimidating women who speak out on behalf of their sex will only stop when we show the bullies they have no power
In September, Emma Watson stepped out in front of a crowd at the UN conference and delivered an impassioned speech on gender equality to launch the HeforShe campaign. Then the backlash started: positive tweets were suddenly replaced by “Emma Watson naked photo shock” as hackers threatened to release intimate images of the actress. Our view? This pathetic move only made her voice louder and highlighted the crucial importance of the campaign. It seems our readers agreed, as this piece was our most read, commented and shared of 2014.
Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg: ‘I don’t plan on running for political office’ - video
The chief operating officer of the multibillion pound social network and author of Lean In – and a big Democrat supporter – talks to Jemima Kiss Our event with Sheryl Sandberg sold out in record time, and those lucky enough to get a ticket heard this inspiring interview first hand. In a discussion with the Guardian’s Jemima Kiss, Sandberg talks about her latest book, Lean In for graduates, dismisses rumours that she will go into politics and highlights the importance of good mentoring.
I went from ballet dancer to CEO and this is what it taught me
“If you start every day with a class, followed by rehearsals, then performances evenings and weekends, you know what work is” One of the most important elements of our network is sharing inspiring stories and career advice from successful women. None have been more popular than Leigh Thomas’s story of her unconventional journey from ballet dancer to CEO of an advertising agency, and why she believes this unusual route gives her a winning edge.
‘Clothing doesn’t protect women from disrespect’
Lingerie brand Dear Kate, which used female coders to model its latest collection, answers critics who called its campaign sexist
The technology community was divided over lingerie brand Dear Kate’s women in tech campaign. Some found it refreshing and positive, others felt it was a huge step backwards in an industry where women remain a minority. We asked the brand’s CEO, Julie Sygiel, to tell her side of the story, explaining the campaign and asking the question: “Why must a woman choose to be recognised for either her brain or her body, not both?”
“Work through your most fertile years and when you can’t have kids anymore, use the eggs we froze for you as a perk”
One of the major talking points this year was the news that Apple and Facebook were offering female employees the chance to freeze their eggs. While the companies concerned insisted this was a positive move, offering women more choices and freedom from the “biological clock”, all it did in practice was demonstrate how out of touch they are with the work/life/family balance that many women aspire to.
Five Joan Rivers quotes working women should live by
Whether it’s asking for money, taking time to appreciate the good things or knowing the difference between friends and business colleagues, the comedian had advice for all of us
This year the world lost one of its great comic talents: the irrepressible Joan Rivers. Her razor-sharp observations on life and work offer a myriad of lessons: here are our favourite work-related quotes.
