Caroline Corsones, Culture and Thought Editor

“When it comes to leading people, I don’t see men or women.  I see soldiers”  (Ann Dunwoody).

The first event of the Notre Dame Forum on Women in Leadership featured three incredibly prestigious guests.  On Monday, September 16, students, faculty and community members congregated in the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center’s Decio Mainstage for the panel discussion, “Getting to the Top of the Pentagon.”  Notre Dame welcomed Ann Dunwoody, America’s first four-star female general, and Michelle Flournoy, the highest-ranking woman in Pentagon history.  NBC news correspondent and Notre Dame alumna Anne Thompson moderated the discussion.

Father John Jenkins, CSC, provided the opening remarks, encouraging everyone to attend future events in the Forum and emphasizing the importance of women who have “broken through the glass ceiling” into leadership positions.

Thompson began the talk by asking Flournoy how hard it was to come into the Pentagon as both a Democrat and a woman.  This may have given her an opportunity to bemoan all the hardships and stereotypes with which she had dealt throughout her professional life, but Flournoy chose to stay positive.  She replied confidently, “If you encounter any sort of bias, let it be the problem of the person holding the bias.”

When asked about her unique background, Dunwoody told the audience about how she had attended SUNY Portland to become a gym teacher.  On a limb, she joined a college union program, mostly because it paid $500 a month.  This got her interested in the army, and she continued on that path for the rest of her life.

Thompson went on to ask if the women ever find themselves trying to be gender-neutral or stifle their femininity in their professions.  Flournoy replied, “I just tried to be myself. I don’t believe you need to get rid of your femininity in any profession.”  Dunwoody claimed, “I don’t see men or women. I see soldiers.  Being a leader is about taking care of people.  When people know you care about them, they will follow you.”

Before moving on to questions from the audience, Thompson asked the age-old question, “Can women have it all?”  Dunwoody emphasized the importance of men and women finding their own “all.”  Once someone finds what they are passionate about, they should go out and get that “all.”

Thompson then allowed questions from the audience.  Notre Dame sophomore Sheridan Rosner says of this section of the talk: “My favorite part was the Q&A because it felt less rehearsed.  The questions students asked allowed the speakers to talk about the importance of confidence, pluck and finding good mentors in their success.  They spoke so genuinely and with such grace.”

The first student to come up to the microphone posed the question, “To what degree has your faith in God played into your career?”  Flournoy replied, “A big part.  I have a sense of calling.  I don’t usually know where it’s leading me; it only makes sense when I look back.”  Dunwoody answered simply, “I have a hotline to God.”

Perhaps the most interesting question came from a Notre Dame student who started off by saying that Flournoy and Dunwoody’s careers are analogous to Eminem’s rap career.  Similar to Eminem’s rise to fame in the hip-hop industry in the face of racial biases, these women have risen to power in the Pentagon despite being put down for their gender.  To the amusement of the audience, the questioner referred to them as the “Eminems of the Pentagon.”  He went on to ask them how one goes about changing cultures, whether it be in the hip-hop industry or in the American government.  Dunwoody responded that a leader must believe in the cause and subsequently lead the organization to change the culture.

Thompson wrapped up the first event of the forum with the question, “If young women want to be leaders when they graduate, what should they work on here?”  Flournoy sagely explained, “Be open to be surprised.  Take stock of what scares you and try to find a safe way to get through that.”

More information on the Forum may be found at http://forum2013.nd.edu/.

Caroline Corsones is a sophomore English major with a minor in secondary education. Her real name is Fat Patricia.  Contact her at ccorsone@nd.edu.