Just like in the days of Rosie the Riveter and the “We Can Do It” slogan post WWII when women stepped into the workplace in large numbers, today “We Are Doing It” again!

In a must-read article in the Economist, we read how women are about to make-up 50 percent of the American workforce.  The article quotes, “Women’s economic empowerment is arguably the biggest social change of our times.”

Powerful stuff when you consider that just a generation ago, the opportunities for women in the workforce were in more menial positions.

But let’s not ignore that women are still quite underrepresented at the top of companies. “Only 2% of the bosses of America’s largest companies and 5% of their peers in Britain are women.”

The article then moves into the working mothers. The women who feel they have to choose between their children and a career.  Not easy. Not fun. Not fair.

We do know that some workplaces, including the infamous “up or out” type places such as law firms and banks, are rethinking their flexible work schedule stance as the demand for female employees rises. “More than 90% of companies in Germany and Sweden allow flexible working. And new technology is making it easier to redesign work in all sorts of family-friendly ways.”

The article continues with some additional barriers for working mothers worldwide such as:

• Lengthy maternity leave – firms can’t afford to hire women who will be out for long periods of time – especially in Europe where maternity leave policies are quite different than in the U.S. – more time off!

• The American school system that shuts down each summer for two months. (Note: some charter schools are now offering longer school das and shorter summer holidays)

Regardless women should we proud of how far we have come. Onward and upward!