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Should the Queen have topped the Women's Hour power list? Should the Queen have topped the Women's Hour power list?
(7 months later)
Overwhelming white, middle aged and middle class: when it comes to positions of power, women, it seems, share many attributes with men.Overwhelming white, middle aged and middle class: when it comes to positions of power, women, it seems, share many attributes with men.
It's fair to say that there were few surprises in the inaugural power list produced by Woman's Hour, that beacon of oestrogen on Radio 4 schedules. Topped by the Queen and dominated by businesswomen and politicians, thousands of nominations from the public were winnowed through the prism of power – could they hire and fire and make changes to people's lives rather than simply influence them.It's fair to say that there were few surprises in the inaugural power list produced by Woman's Hour, that beacon of oestrogen on Radio 4 schedules. Topped by the Queen and dominated by businesswomen and politicians, thousands of nominations from the public were winnowed through the prism of power – could they hire and fire and make changes to people's lives rather than simply influence them.
So, 93% of the list are white and the average age is 53. About half went to private school and at least two of the top 10 joined the Queen in being born into business (Ana Botin and Elizabeth Murdoch). There were few campaigners or journalists and, perhaps more surprisingly so soon after the Olympics, no competing sportswoman.So, 93% of the list are white and the average age is 53. About half went to private school and at least two of the top 10 joined the Queen in being born into business (Ana Botin and Elizabeth Murdoch). There were few campaigners or journalists and, perhaps more surprisingly so soon after the Olympics, no competing sportswoman.
Such lists, by their very nature, leave swaths of society out, of course, and it's to Woman's Hour's credit that its staff carried out such an exhaustive exercise to find the most powerful and not just influential. But it was a little depressing when Eve Pollard, the chair of judges, said that in some areas things were actually getting worse for women. "What this list does is shine a light on those sectors where too few women are getting to the top," she said, highlighting politics (22% of MPs), FTSE companies (just two women ceos), the military (12% of all officers) and journalism.Such lists, by their very nature, leave swaths of society out, of course, and it's to Woman's Hour's credit that its staff carried out such an exhaustive exercise to find the most powerful and not just influential. But it was a little depressing when Eve Pollard, the chair of judges, said that in some areas things were actually getting worse for women. "What this list does is shine a light on those sectors where too few women are getting to the top," she said, highlighting politics (22% of MPs), FTSE companies (just two women ceos), the military (12% of all officers) and journalism.
Depressingly, the former editor of both the Mirror and the Express newspapers highlighted the media, or newspapers, at least, as an area where things were going backwards. There is just one female editor of a national newspaper and that's Dawn Neesom of the Star. Sarah Sands – who, as editor of a paper with greater claim to influence decision-makers, the Standard – was left out because the list was "too London centric".Depressingly, the former editor of both the Mirror and the Express newspapers highlighted the media, or newspapers, at least, as an area where things were going backwards. There is just one female editor of a national newspaper and that's Dawn Neesom of the Star. Sarah Sands – who, as editor of a paper with greater claim to influence decision-makers, the Standard – was left out because the list was "too London centric".
Alexandra Shulman, on the list as editor of British Vogue, said she was uncomfortable with the notion of women-only lists, although she was glad to be included. It would be great if more women were included on mixed-sex power lists, of course but, until then, a bit of extra promotion can't hurt, can it?Alexandra Shulman, on the list as editor of British Vogue, said she was uncomfortable with the notion of women-only lists, although she was glad to be included. It would be great if more women were included on mixed-sex power lists, of course but, until then, a bit of extra promotion can't hurt, can it?
Before the event started, one member of the audience, made up mainly of keen listeners, asked whether Radio 4 controller Gwyneth Williams could do more to get women on to other news and current-affairs programmes. Ruth Gardiner, Head of General Factual at BBC Audio & Music, said they hoped to and would be sharing the contact details of winners with other programmes. I hope this means that flagship news programmes such as Today will include more female voices, although I fear that many of the women on this list are already high up their production team's most-wanted list.Before the event started, one member of the audience, made up mainly of keen listeners, asked whether Radio 4 controller Gwyneth Williams could do more to get women on to other news and current-affairs programmes. Ruth Gardiner, Head of General Factual at BBC Audio & Music, said they hoped to and would be sharing the contact details of winners with other programmes. I hope this means that flagship news programmes such as Today will include more female voices, although I fear that many of the women on this list are already high up their production team's most-wanted list.
Dawn O'Porter, writer and presenter and one of the judges, said the decision was made to focus on power not influence but that future lists should reflect the fact that the definition of power is changing – she mentioned the power of social media, in particular.Dawn O'Porter, writer and presenter and one of the judges, said the decision was made to focus on power not influence but that future lists should reflect the fact that the definition of power is changing – she mentioned the power of social media, in particular.
Should it? Should we favour influence over power to make a list of top women more diverse? When the Guardian chose to celebrate International Women's Day we chose to focus on inspirational women but it's hard to argue that power isn't important.Should it? Should we favour influence over power to make a list of top women more diverse? When the Guardian chose to celebrate International Women's Day we chose to focus on inspirational women but it's hard to argue that power isn't important.
What do you think? Should the Queen have won? And if not, who would you put in her place as the most powerful woman in Britain today?What do you think? Should the Queen have won? And if not, who would you put in her place as the most powerful woman in Britain today?
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