THE EDITOR, Sir:
IN RESPONSE to Mr. Soares' article that appeared in the Business Section of The Gleaner, on January 15, 2003, I am taking this opportunity to respond to two areas of concern.
Mr. Soares' had a great eye-catching topic, one that would implores persons to read. Unfortunately, you did not deliver.
While I am no financial whiz, your suggestions are at best mediocre, unimpressive, unprofessional and cheap.
I am willing to bypass your flimsy suggestions of 'pretty paper' presentation. However, I cannot help but take a second look at your suggestion regarding female managers, and the attendant 'Miss Jane' theories that you used to explain away the inexplicable.
First and foremost, Mr. Soares, whatever your grouse is with female managers, may I suggest that you find a more appropriate place to air them?
Secondly, all of us have a story. Many Jamaican women could recount stories with Jamaican male bosses that would make your forefathers turn in their graves.
GLASS CEILING IN JAMAICA
The glass ceiling is real in Jamaica, and I hardly believe that our inability to analyse financial statements, or our lack of creativity, plays any role here. However, the collective insecurity of those guarding the glass ceiling is quite potent, and many of us challenging that resistant patriarchy, find that we will have to take on male values, to even become competitive. The glass ceiling is very real!
Thirdly, may I invite you to research the management styles of Donna Duncan-Scott at Jamaica Money Market Brokers, Barbara Lee at the Fair Trading Commission, Audrey Marks at PayMaster Ltd., and Senator Aloun N'Dombet Assamba, Minister of Tourism, and former general manager of City of Kingston Credit Union, just to name a few of the notables.
These are all strong women with integrity and management styles to match, and who could lead this country successfully, if given the opportunity.
You say that female managers lack creativity. Well, Mr. Soares, here is an open secret. As a result of the abdication of responsibilities by many Jamaican fathers, including my own, many Jamaican mothers have been forced to become some of the most creative managers, never mind financial advisers, around today. But does that make me bitter and resentful? Does that qualify me to make a pronouncement on all Jamaican men? I don't think so.
I am, etc.,
CONCERNED WOMAN
nobody@ns.jamaicagleaner.com
