kelly love johnson

Are they still blaming us for the wage gap?

2008-07-06T15:08:00.001-04:00

I mention this in my "Myths vs. Facts" chapter, but it's nice to have more recent stats to back it up.

"Women aren’t leaving the workforce in record numbers to become stay-at-home moms. In fact, moms are working more now than ever, according to a Princeton University study, which found that less than 8% of women born since 1956 leave the workforce for a year or more during their prime childbearing years."
Source: WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT (7.1.08)

Next event: Workshop in Charleston, SC

2008-06-05T10:41:00.003-04:00

As part of the Center for Women's "You Can Do It Series," I'm leading a workshop on Saturday, June 21 from 9:30am-12:30pm. $20 for CFW members; $25 for non-members (includes a copy of the book!).

Rules for the Workplace: An Irreverent Guide to Advancing Your Career
with Kelly Love Johnson, writer and editor, Skirt! magazine.
Wondering why you’re not getting ahead at work? Or, if you’re just entering the workforce, how can you improve your chances of getting the job you want and moving up the corporate ladder? Is it possible that the reason women earn approximately 70% of what their male colleagues are making is that we are reluctant to discuss financial matters? Think the glass ceiling is a myth? Learn the rules of work with valuable tools and tips to get ahead.

Corporate Sponsor: Prudential Financial
Business Sponsor: Relax The Back

Register at the Center For Women's web site or by calling 843.763.7333. Hope to see you there!

Next event: Tele-interview for Business Women Connect

2008-05-28T13:17:00.003-04:00

Tuesday, June 3, Noon (eastern time), teleconference, free.

Business Women Connect is an Indiana-based organization for women interested in personal and professional growth. And I get to be their guest interviewee for the June 3rd teleconference!

The teleconference is free, but registration is required. For more info or to sign up, click here.

On the shelf...

2008-05-25T15:08:00.005-04:00

I didn't look for my book in stores for over a month after it came out because I was afraid it wouldn't be there. My first bookstore signing was at Joseph Beth Booksellers in Charlotte in early February and they had a table display of my book, which made me feel great. I went back to Charlotte for a visit this weekend and visited Joseph Beth because I have a ton of "must read" books on my wish list I wanted to pick up (and I love to support a local bookseller). I checked the "business and careers" shelf and, sure enough, Skirt! Rules was there.

Quote of the day...

2008-05-15T11:11:00.003-04:00

“Work is a slice of your life. It’s not the entire pizza.”
~Jacquelyn Mitchard

I've been through the burnout cycle too many times in the life of my career to count and I still have trouble recognizing when I'm in it. I constantly have to remind myself that (1) I am not my job, (2) my job doesn't define me, and (3) I need more than my job to be a happy, productive human being. Being able to let go of what's going on in the office when you drive out of the parking lot is a skill we have to constantly work at. Here's your reminder for today to do something different, to try something new, and to take some time for yourself. You'll be a happier employee for it!

Quote of the day...

2008-05-05T09:46:00.003-04:00

"Women of America: Put your lipstick on, square your shoulders, suit up...the revolution starts tonight."
~Senator Barbara Mikulski, moments after Senate Republicans blocked the effort to move forward on the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.

Can we really handle another four years of an administration that puts issues of parity (ALL issues of equality, not just those concerning women) on the back burner? If we continue to accept the status quo, I'll be a few years away from retirement age before the wage gap is closed (current estimates put this at 27 years, considering the rate of change over the past 30 years). The fact that passing this bill may create liability for corporations and open them up to ongoing lawsuits is NOT a good reason to dismiss this issue. These companies should be held liable for not paying female employees an equal wage.

In the interim, we'll see more and more women dealing with issues like this one. Because every time the fair pay issue is knocked down in the Senate, it sends a message to employers that it is OK to treat women as second-class citizens, to pay them less, to fire them on the off chance they might become pregnant, and to dismiss serious allegations of discrimination as "hysteria."

This morning's Huffington Post...

2008-04-29T12:56:00.003-04:00

Has a piece by Martha Burk about Equal Pay Day - the day we "celebrate" (and I'm using that term loosely) when women stop working for free each year due to the wage gap. A vote on the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (an addition to or reinstatement of - depending on your perspective - the Equal Pay Act of 1963) was blocked this week in Congress by Republicans.

Burk says: "The vote is particularly unfortunate when you break the numbers down. That 77 cent figure is only an average. Women of color fare much worse; African American women get 72%, Hispanic sisters make 59%, and Native American women come in last, bringing in only 58 cents to the man's dollar. That means a big part of the female population is dragging along near the bottom. Over a work life, pay gaps like these add up to more than $500,000. It means the difference between owning a home and renting, sending your kids to college versus sending them to flip burgers, and a decent retirement versus struggling in old age."

Read the entire piece here.

What can we do (beside get really, really angry)? Educate yourself about it. Write to your state representatives. Ask for a raise (skip to Chapter 7, "Mind the Gap," if you're in a hurry).

Nice props for Skirt Rules for the Workplace...

2008-04-09T11:47:00.003-04:00

from the Williamsburg Regional Library's "suggestion a day" blog.

I don't know the blogger, Jessica, (and no, I didn't pay her for this one), but her review made my day!

Today's P&C article about the conference...

2008-03-27T10:11:00.001-04:00

Nice mention of Saturday's conference in the business section this morning. Read it here.

Next event: Women in Business conference, Charleston SC

2008-03-26T10:46:00.004-04:00

Saturday March 29, 8am-2pm
The Center for Women and the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce team up again to present Women in Business: The Power of Connection at the Charleston Area Convention Center. This conference integrates women business owners and professionals into mainstream networks and expands their business opportunities by providing direct access to successful business leaders in the tri county region.

I'll be leading two "Rules for Work" workshops during this one-day event and books will be available for purchase/signing. Space is limited and you can register at the Center for Women's web site or by calling 843.763.7333.

I heart Knoxville...

2008-03-18T13:15:00.005-04:00

My first visit to Tennessee - loved it! The Women's Expo was a lot of fun...got off the plane and editor Janet took me straight there for hair, makeup and a tv appearance on WBIR's Style show. The reading/signing was on Saturday and I was backstage for a while with Bob Greene (though I was too nervous about getting out on this big giant stage with video screens to even speak to him...sorry, Bob!).

This is me with Janet Testerman, Skirt! Knoxville editor, waiting "backstage" to go on air with the Style show.

Janet and sales director Nancy Parrish took me out to dinner in downtown Knoxville Friday night for sushi and we had a lot of fun. Knoxville is a cool place!

Getting ready to sign books at the Skirt! booth after my reading. Yes, those are belly dancers looking for career advice.

Columbia College event...

2008-03-16T13:12:00.000-04:00

I was in Columbia last week for "You First, Next Step," a networking event at Columbia College. Skirt's Columbia editor, Jenny Maxwell, tells it better than I can here (and there are pics from the event...I know, I look TIRED. It was early morning).

Thanks to Jenny and Tammie Willmore and all the amazing women who put the event together!

Next events: Columbia, SC and Knoxville, TN

2008-03-10T10:02:00.001-04:00

Columbia: I'll be doing a Skirt! Rules for the Workplace reading and signing at Columbia College this Thursday, March 13, for "You First, Next Step." Check out a complete schedule or register online for the conference here.

Knoxville: A reading and signing at the Women Today Expo in Knoxville, TN (I go on right after Oprah's nutrition guru, Bob Greene! Very exciting...) on March 15. The Expo is from March 14-16, so if you happen to be in the East Tennessee area, sign up and come on down! My reading is Saturday the 15th at 1:30pm and I'll be signing books afterwards. Full schedule here (PDF).

March is turning out to be a busy month!

From today's Washington Post...

2008-03-09T11:29:00.001-04:00

An interesting piece by Deborah Tannen that says as much about women and our roles in the workplace as it does about the current political climate: Hillary Clinton, Through a Lens Wrongly

"This isn't about Hillary. Well, okay, it is.

But it isn't only about her. It's also about every woman who has ever been underestimated, failed to get credit for work she did or been denied opportunities to do work at which she would have excelled."

Read the entire piece here.

More pics from Savannah book signing...

2008-03-01T11:01:00.000-05:00

Signing Skirt! Rules for the Workplace at Kilwin's in Savannah, February 21st.

Mugging for the camera (my sister was snapping the pics).

Fun in Savannah....

2008-02-22T12:13:00.007-05:00

Editor Jessica Leigh and the rest of the Skirt! Savannah staff put on one heck of an event last night at Kilwin's in Savannah. A big turnout despite the rainy weather and I met dozens of amazing women (and a few men!). My sister Katie came with me and snapped a few pics (she was also sending cell phone photos to the rest of my family during the event, so it was like having the whole group there with me).

Jessica also has a few pics on her blog here.

Upcoming appearances: Columbia, Knoxville, and Charleston in March. Details to follow!

Next event: Savannah, GA

2008-02-14T14:45:00.005-05:00

Thursday, Feb. 21 from 6:30-8:30pm.

I hope to see you there!

On my way to Charlotte...

2008-02-08T09:42:00.000-05:00

For the book signing tomorrow at Joseph Beth Booksellers in the Southpark Mall. Hope to see you there!

Next book signing: Charlotte, NC

2008-02-01T21:03:00.000-05:00

Charlotte, NC: Saturday, February 9 at 1pm at Joseph Beth Booksellers, Southpark Mall.

Skirt! Books authors Amanda Lamb (Smotherhood: Wickedly Funny Confessions from the Early Years) and Cooper Lawrence (The Cult of Perfection: Making Peace With Your Inner Overachiever) will be there as well. We'll have goodies for the first 20 people to show up!

A great big "thank you!"

2008-01-31T21:05:00.000-05:00

To everyone who came out for the book signing at the Center for Women in Charleston this evening! I met so many amazing women and the food (hors d'oeuvres by Fork fine catering in Charleston) was outstanding. Thanks to the staff at the Center for Women, to Skirt! for sponsoring the event, and to all of my friends who made time in their busy day to be part of my very first book signing.

Kelly Love, "Live"

2008-01-30T12:49:00.000-05:00

First TV appearance this morning on Charleston's ABC News4 Lowcountry Live program this morning with Jennet Alterman from the Center for Women to promote my book and the signing tomorrow. I was extremely nervous, but the segment was only three minutes long (and Jennet was right there to hold my hand because she is a Super Star Television Pro) so I made it through! I don't have video to post, so if you weren't watching News4 in Charleston at 10:30 this morning, you missed it.

Did I mention the book signing tomorrow? If you're in Charleston, drop by from 5-7pm, have some yummy finger food, and mingle with what is sure to be a fascinating crowd. Men are welcome! The event is free and books will be available for sale. But all you really need to know is that I'll be there, right?

No-nonsense advice for working women...

2008-01-28T10:59:00.000-05:00

Skirt! Rules for the Workplace was reviewed in USA Today this morning! Read it here.

Advice women should not skirt...

2008-01-22T10:54:00.000-05:00

Nice mention in Susan Reimer's column in The Baltimore Sun today! Read it here.

Upcoming book signings...

2008-01-10T16:33:00.001-05:00

Charleston, SC: Thursday, January 31 from 5 to 7pm at The Center for Women, 129 Cannon St. Be there or be square!

Charlotte, NC: Saturday, February 9 at 1pm at Joseph Beth Booksellers, Southpark Mall. Skirt! Books authors Amanda Lamb (Smotherhood: Wickedly Funny Confessions from the Early Years) and Cooper Lawrence (The Cult of Perfection: Making Peace With Your Inner Overachiever) will be there as well. Goodies for the first 20 people to show up!

Savannah, GA: Thursday, February 21 from 6:30-8:30pm, special event at Kilwin’s Chocolates and Ice Cream (yummmm....), 20 E. Broughton St.
Limited attendance, advance reservations required. Admission of $15 includes the book; 912.525.0740 to register.

More events and details to follow in the coming weeks!

If you missed the radio show last night...

2008-01-08T17:20:00.000-05:00

You can still listen by downloading the podcast (iTunes store, Podcasts, search for Cooper Lawrence). My interview is about 20 minutes into hour 2 the 1-7-08 broadcast.

I was a little nervous (maybe a lot nervous but I'm not going to admit it) and I "ummed" more than I should have, but I think it went well. Just being able to talk about my favorite topic (not "me" smartypants, the wage gap) was fun and Cooper is a pro so she didn't let me go off on the tangents I love to follow. And I woke up this morning to 30-plus (!) emails in my inbox from people who heard me (many of them friends) and said very nice things.

p.s. After listening to the interview myself this morning, now I think I know why people think I'm being sarcastic when I'm not. It's not me, it's my voice! Must work on that.