Three Women

Note from blogger Barbara Adachi: My good friend, Branko Terzic, was just honored by the Women’s Council on Energy and Environment with the 2008 Champion Award. This got me thinking about how and why he became such a champion for women in the workforce. So, I’ve asked him to share his story with all of us.

My awareness and concern for women’s rights grew out of the personal stories of three women very dear and important to me: my mother, my wife, and my daughter.

My mother’s story, so very familiar to many women of her generation, is one of frustrated educational and career aspirations. Olivera Terzic’s desire to continue her medical school studies was disrupted by the invasion and occupation of her country, the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, by Nazi Germany followed by five years in refugee camps. To stay close to medicine she trained as a practical nurse, putting her life on the line by volunteering to look after high mortality typhus patients in the epidemic ravaged refugee camps of post-war Italy. Sadly, that’s where her aspirations for a medical career ended. Coming to this country from a Displaced Persons camp in Germany after World War II there were no college scholarships available, and certainly no medical school slots open, for a 30 year old immigrant mother of two who aspired to be a doctor.

My wife Judith’s story is a bit more positive. She aspired to be an architect, but it was the 60’s and her counselors and others dissuaded her from that career choice. I believe they knew the low probability that she would be given a fair chance in, what at that time, was a male dominated profession. However, Judith went on to a successful career as a set and costume designer in the theater and would have continued, had I not failed to mail her resume off to faraway Houston, Texas and instead asked her to marry me and remain in Milwaukee.

The third story is that of my daughter, Elizabeth, who told me that, as a young accounting graduate, she chose Deloitte from among competing offers, not because I worked there, but because a woman was chairman of Deloitte’s board.

And so in three generations progress has been made, but not for every woman, not in every career field, not in every industry, and not in every office.

I could not help my mother or my wife when they were starting out, but as a father I clearly tried to do all any father would do to make sure my daughter got a fair chance in her professional career. I am pleased that she was able to make her own choices about her career without anyone telling her she couldn’t do it. Not all women have that chance.

For that reason I joined the Industry Advisory Board of the Women’s Council on Energy and Environment, giving me the chance to do what I could not for my mother or my wife--to mentor and advise women in the profession they had chosen.  

The issue of “women’s rights” is, of course, intertwined with that of full “human rights.” I hope my own story will demonstrate that “human rights” and “women’s rights” can be addressed on an individual basis and in everyday life.

The battle for individual rights of women is one of long standing and none of us should countenance anything which undermines it. -Eleanor Roosevelt

Branko

By guest blogger Branko Terzic, Global & U.S. Regulatory Policy Leader in Energy & Resources, Deloitte Services LP 
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In the Company of Greatness

Last week, I was surrounded by amazing women who have made history in their own right.

I was fortunate to be in the company of greatness – Sally Ride, the first American woman to travel into space; Shelly Lazarus, CEO and Chairman of Ogilvy Worldwide; Jane Swift, former Massachusetts governor; and Myra Hart, co-founder of Staples and famous author.

Being in a room with these women, I was both awestruck and inspired. Thinking about their many contributions to women’s progress and their personal journeys, I was wondering what and who inspired them to take their leaps into greatness. The common thread among them is their passion, combined with confidence and courage. I can’t think of four more accomplished women and what a special way to celebrate Women’s History Month - they have touched my life personally and made the world more open for everyone.

While the majority of us won’t become astronauts, politicians, CEO’s and entrepreneurs, I believe we can make history in our own way. History is often made when a combination of small actions results in a change over time and becomes memorable– it’s not always a big event. Since I have been so fortunate in my life and career, I would like to help others be successful, particularly other women. I ask you to find a woman in your life for whom you can make a difference – a colleague, a friend, a daughter, a mother. I believe that history is made each and every day by all of us in how we touch and influence what happens to others who are part of our lives.

So, are you ready to make history?

Barbara

By blogger Barbara Adachi, Deloitte LLP
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Precious Moments

Last week during my trip to New York, I was able to mix some pleasure with business by having dinner with my daughter, Allison, who just moved to NY last November. It was heartwarming to see our relationship today and the person she has become. Even though she is 25, in many ways it’s hard to let go and I finally understand what my own mother said to me many years ago – you never stop being a mom.

When Allison was younger, I spent a lot of time worrying about what moments I was missing, not to mention the guilt that I felt not being able to be there all of the time. When she was three years old, she asked Ted if I lived at the airport. That was a wake-up call for me – at that moment, I realized that I didn’t want to miss her childhood and look back someday with regret. I ended up changing jobs, but things didn’t really change until I made a decision to slow things down. 

Today, I see a young confident woman and not the shy little girl who often cried at the thought of going to ballet class. With both of us working full-time, I struggled with trying to be a good mother and having a career. Long before we had mass career customization, I slowed down my pace and my role. It was more important to me not to miss those precious moments than getting the next promotion. Looking back today, I am happy that I made the choices that I did.

We’re empty-nesters now, but thanks to BlackBerries, email and cell phones, Allison and I communicate more today than when she lived at home. It’s the everyday things that bring us all together – like calling Ted (not me) for a favorite recipe or sending me a quick instant message when we’re both online. What I have learned is that every moment is precious – it doesn’t always have to be the big things. She lives 3,000 miles away now, but she is following her dream and building her own life in New York, and we couldn’t be prouder of her.   

At dinner last week, Allison told me what I had always hoped to hear – that I have been a good mom and now, a friend...which is something I truly cherish.

Barbara

“In my daughter’s eyes, I see who I want to be.” Martina McBride

By blogger Barbara Adachi, Deloitte LLP
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Where the Heart Is

It’s been a hectic few months, but I must say that I love my new role! I am still on a steep learning curve, but what is most rewarding is having passion about my work – both WIN and serving clients. Last Friday, I had the opportunity to interview summer intern candidates and I was reminded of how much I enjoy what I do. While the workload is full and there are never enough hours in the day, I can’t imagine being any place else. I do enjoy the challenge and most importantly, the people. While in Los Angeles, I had a chance to visit with a manager who is expecting her first child – what an exciting time. We discussed how to balance it all and my advice to her was simple…know your priorities and look at them everyday. It doesn’t mean we always get to do what is #1, but it will keep you focused on what is important.

Fitting a career into everything else in life is a constant challenge – and there are days when I feel overwhelmed and out of tilt.  In my heart, I believe that you can have it all but there will always be trade-offs. Today is Valentine’s Day and it’s also my 32nd wedding anniversary. I could not enjoy my work without the complete support of my better half, Ted. After 32 years of marriage, we have certainly had our shares of ups and downs, but we have always tried to put our family first. Having that priority and a sense of humor (thanks to Ted!) has helped us stay the course. 

Reflecting on Valentine’s Day, it’s a time to celebrate our loved ones and be thankful for the support we receive from them, in fact, we should be celebrating them every day. It’s certainly where my heart is. 

Barbara

By blogger Barbara Adachi, Deloitte LLP
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Big Shoes...

First and foremost, I would like to thank Cathy for the leadership, innovation and standard of excellence she has brought to our Women’s Initiative (WIN) and for inspiring all of us who she touched. I am so honored to succeed Cathy and am filled with many emotions—excitement, anticipation, gratitude and a bit of apprehension.  After all, how do you follow such greatness?

To me, Cathy is like “Dorothy” traveling down the yellow brick road to success. Cathy has it all—heart, wisdom and courage. And she has used her talents to take WIN to new heights. When I think about following in Cathy’s footsteps, I realize what BIG shoes I must fill.

While Dorothy’s journey to Oz turned out to be a dream, what is different here is that this role is a dream come true for me. Sometimes, I have to pinch myself to take it all in and to grasp this great opportunity before me today. I have been so fortunate in my career and to have this role is truly the icing on the cake. I also feel that if this can happen to me, it can happen to anyone! I aspire to be a good leader and I hope I can help others achieve their dreams. My husband and I have always told our daughter to “follow your dreams and believe in yourself.” I am the eternal optimist, believing that everything is possible, and I think that the possibilities for WIN and our people are unlimited.

We are on the eve of our 15th year of WIN—it’s a time to reflect on our accomplishments and contemplate what’s next for us. Even though it’s a bit scary to take on the leadership of such a well-established and successful initiative, the good news is that I am not alone—I have strong support from leadership as well as a great team of WIN leaders across the country…and we are all excited and committed to shaping the future together. The path ahead is not about starting from scratch, but building on the solid foundation and successes that others before me have created. Aligning with diversity and our talent agenda, there is no better time for WIN.

And so, I am ready and excited to fill the BIG shoes, click my heels and take off—its time to seize this amazing opportunity!

"I've got big shoes to fill. This is my chance to do something. I have to seize the moment."  Andrew Jackson

And now I ask, what is your dream?

Barbara

By blogger Barbara Adachi, Deloitte LLP
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Passages

“The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time.” James Taylor

What’s that old expression, “there comes a time when all good things must come to an end?” Perhaps I should have titled this final entry “Procrastination” since, well, I’ve dawdled quite a bit around writing it. Sometimes passages come easy I guess, and sometimes they don’t.

I was reminded of how much progress we’ve made in the workplace on a flight earlier this week. Having been upgraded, I noticed that the first class cabin had all but one seat taken by women traveling alone seemingly on business. I can think back, in contrast, to a time when I would more times than not be singled out by flight attendants simply because I was a woman international business traveler sitting in first class. The words of one attendant still ring in my ear: “Honey, I don’t know what you do, but you must be doing something right because you’re sitting up here not attached to a working spouse.”

And even on a flight yesterday, I couldn’t help but hear the two 40-something-year-old men sitting behind me get into a lengthy discussion on the topic of day care for their young children. Yep, these are little vignettes of what progress looks like.

I’m sometimes asked who I admire, often with an unspoken expectation that my response will be a great name like Gandhi, or Churchill, or Mother Teresa, or Oprah. Although they each made (and in the case of Oprah, continues to make) significant contributions to the world we live in, I admire most more common people like Mrs. Bitkowski.

Mrs. Bitkowski worked in a Detroit beauty parlor (no, not an upscale salon, an old-fashion beauty parlor) and had six children under the age of 7 when her husband died suddenly. She did what she needed to do to keep it all together as a single mom with a meager income and extraordinary burdens. She toiled through, one day at a time. How do I know? I met Mrs. Bitkowski at Harvard Business School. Her oldest daughter was my b-school roommate who herself is a brilliant, driven, well-rounded and well-grounded individual. Yep. I admire Mrs. Bitkowski--and all the Mrs. Bitkowski’s out there. Everyday people who make the most of their circumstances, whatever those circumstances might be.

Another woman I admire is Barbara Adachi, and I also have the honor and privilege of naming Barbara our new Women’s Initiative Leader and my successor to this blog covering work, life and everything in between.  

She, too, makes the most of her circumstances—every day. She takes the time to reach out, to give back, to counsel and to coach. To encourage and support and recognize the successes—small and large—of others. She is a mother of one, a role model for many and an inspiration to all who know her. I’m in awe of all she does, from leading our regional human capital practice (until recently) to heading our Northern Pacific WIN efforts, to representing her colleagues on Deloitte Consulting’s board of directors, to directing a vast array of community efforts. I could go on, but I think you get the drift.

Barbara is the right leader at the right time to take WIN to the next level and this blog to a place that only she can. I’m looking forward to reading about her exploits and insights and am confident that you will as well. 

And now, Barbara, it’s over to you…

Cathy

By blogger Cathy Benko, Deloitte & Touche USA LLP
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