Defining Success for Today’s Woman Lawyer

Excerpted from Pioneering Women Lawyers – From Kate Stoneman to the Present

Edited By Patricia E. Salkin

One of the biggest challenges in the 21st century for women may be to redefine what the relevant marks of success and professional achievements are and should be. It may be that at least a part of the glass ceiling women face is of our own making because we may to readily accept the goals and definitions of success handed to us by a society and professions historically dominated by men and their aspirations and values. … The point is that women are individuals and we must resist every effort to be stereotyped, either as to what opinion we hold or should hold or as to what job we can have or should want to have.

Women, I do believe, bring unique perspectives and dimensions and insights to issues and problems. We don’t want to lose those unique qualities that can affect such positive social change in the hunt for professional equality and success. … What is today regarded as success in the legal profession is expanding and diversifying. Women, in particular, I think, are taking the lead in redefining success. Money, positions of traditional prestige, partnerships in large law firms, are not the only or even primary yardsticks. Overall job satisfaction, public service, and a more sensible and satisfying balance of our professional and private lives are growing in importance as the barometers of success for both women and men.

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