Although this topic is not something that we have discussed in the McConnell Center, I recently read an article about success in finding a career and names and believe it applies to one of our core goals at the Center: leadership. Are leadership abilities restricted to a name? Do we subconsciously attach leadership abilities to a name?
The NY Times recently reported that women who take their husbands names make $400,000 less over their lifetimes than women who keep their names after marriage. Women who take the name of their husband are also viewed as older, less educated, and unmotivated than women who kept their maiden names. Also, the article stated that people with more ethnic names or unique spellings may find it more difficult to land a good job.
The most basic definition of a leader reflects on doing what's right even when the majority may not. Although choosing Susy over Suzie is not a daunting task, I believe that as McConnell Scholars (or others that read this blog) go into the business world as politicians, business owners, doctors, etc., it is important that we make an extra effort not to judge a person by their name--married, unmarried, ethnic or not. And the door swings both ways on that one--a good solid name with generations of great workers does not mean the 4th generation child has the same skills as or should get ahead of John Doe merely because of a good family name. Neither does it mean that we do not take Rashawn as seriously as his business suit and 4.0 GPA. The old saying goes, "don't judge a book by it's cover." I ask, what are we, but pages and pages of stories, knowledge, and talent covered by a name (be it Mrs. or not)?--thus, do not judge a person by the cover of their name.
To close with a prime example of a woman who took her husband's last name and has shown she is far more than this 'less educated and unmotivated' stereotype, I leave you with the name of our special McConnell Center guest, Mrs. Hilary Clinton--an incredibly intelligent and motivated leader.
The NY Times recently reported that women who take their husbands names make $400,000 less over their lifetimes than women who keep their names after marriage. Women who take the name of their husband are also viewed as older, less educated, and unmotivated than women who kept their maiden names. Also, the article stated that people with more ethnic names or unique spellings may find it more difficult to land a good job.
The most basic definition of a leader reflects on doing what's right even when the majority may not. Although choosing Susy over Suzie is not a daunting task, I believe that as McConnell Scholars (or others that read this blog) go into the business world as politicians, business owners, doctors, etc., it is important that we make an extra effort not to judge a person by their name--married, unmarried, ethnic or not. And the door swings both ways on that one--a good solid name with generations of great workers does not mean the 4th generation child has the same skills as or should get ahead of John Doe merely because of a good family name. Neither does it mean that we do not take Rashawn as seriously as his business suit and 4.0 GPA. The old saying goes, "don't judge a book by it's cover." I ask, what are we, but pages and pages of stories, knowledge, and talent covered by a name (be it Mrs. or not)?--thus, do not judge a person by the cover of their name.
To close with a prime example of a woman who took her husband's last name and has shown she is far more than this 'less educated and unmotivated' stereotype, I leave you with the name of our special McConnell Center guest, Mrs. Hilary Clinton--an incredibly intelligent and motivated leader.