These television shows and movies are all (very) different and stray a bit from the real world, but they do have one thing in common: they show the female attorney as a strong and confident woman. And they show more than one of them.

In reality, that image of any female attorney is a rare one. In Law360’s latest “Glass Ceiling Report,” only 36 percent of all attorneys are women, and just over 23 percent of law firm partners are female. The representation just isn’t there — so we set out to discover why that is.

According to Renee Galente, president of the the California Women Lawyers, the issue isn’t a lack of women. “The classes in California are reaching 50-50,” Galente says of the genders pursuing law degrees. “The issue is not entering the profession. The issue is advancement in the profession.” Today, there are over 70,000 female lawyers in California, and Galente believes women are making progress — just slowly.

Part of the problem, it seems, is there are still plenty of challenges being a woman in the legal field. Like any field with gender disparity, the problem tends to repeat itself — those in power stay in power, thanks to the ‘boys club’ mentality.

“Being in the male-dominated securities and financial services, many of my male counterparts, often opposing counsel, underestimate my experience,” Jonah Toleno tells HER magazine. Toleno is a partner with Shustak Reynolds & Partners, P.C., based in San Diego. “I’ve been talked down to, even treated inappropriately, but over the years I have learned to stand on principle and assert myself on behalf of my clients,” she says. “If anything, the challenges have made me keep wanting to use my skills to help others more than ever.”

Renee DeGolier, a Los Angeles County attorney for nearly 10 years, says men held the leadership roles in most of the firms she has worked for. “While times have definitely changed in law firms… it is unmistakable that the legal field continues to be a male dominated profession. Depending on what man (or men) fill those roles, it can have a significant impact on the office dynamic towards women,” she explains.

Thankfully, some organizations are taking strides to solve this expansive issue.

To move toward gender equity, California Women Lawyers offers programs such as “Elect to Run,” which helps educate and encourage women to run for public office. It has a separate program called “So You Want to be a Judge,” which aims to increase the number of women and diverse candidates who seek to obtain appointment to the bench. “[We] give a hand up, mentor, and help women be successful,” Galente explains.

And there are some areas of law that are seeing more progress than others. In Julia Morgan’s field of workers compensation insurance defense, she explains that she’s had a completely different experience. “I was initially surprised by how many women there were in the industry, both attorneys and judges. We are everywhere!” Morgan says. Morgan started practicing law in 2014 in Long beach, California, and says she is “consistently working alongside other female attorneys and honestly never feel outnumbered or that I am trying to compete with a ‘boys club’ atmosphere.”

And if you’re a women today considering to go into the field of law?

“There is room in this industry for all personality types and viewpoints,” Morgan adds encouragingly, but other lawyers warn caution.

“Choose to be a lawyer because it is your calling, and not because someone told you to go to law school,” says DeGolier. “Second, be confident and be strong. Don’t let those who attempt to intimidate you be successful in their pursuits.”

Toleno also reminds others to keep in mind the cost of law school. “Make sure it is the right investment. Try to speak to as many lawyers as you can to learn about different specialties. Most of all, if you do go into law, take care of yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually,” she says. “I encourage all women to consider this path because I’ve found great fulfillment, but consider it carefully — because it’s not easy.”

The post Where Are All The Female Lawyers? appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

“I have never been this fulfilled,” says Sugianto, founder of Dream Chatter.

The former television reporter turned business owner describes Dream Chatter as a hand up, not a hand out. The project provides employment for female artisans living on the small Indonesian island of Sumba. Using a loom made out of sticks and pieces of wood, the women weave unique fabric designs. It takes about a week to complete the fabric, which is then sent to small businesses to be turned into various products, like handbags and clothing.

“Everyone has a different design, different technique, different mindset of what they want their fabric to look like,” she says.

Sugianto, who lives in Northern California, is working with 20 female Indonesian artists from Sumba as she prepares for Dream Chatter’s official launch at the end of this month. Normally, the women have to purchase the material to make the fabric, then travel to markets to sell their products. With Dream Chatter, Sugianto makes the process easier and more affordable. “I’m paying them better [and] giving them supplies, so they don’t have to pay for the threads,” she explains.

Sugianto’s motivation is to help end poverty in her home country. She spent her childhood in Indonesia before moving to the United States, and her first visit to Sumba was last summer. That’s when she saw not only the beauty of the island, but also the lack of basic necessities. She tells me: “They really don’t have anything. The kids have to come home and drop out of school because they need to fetch water or farm. It’s survival mode.”

Dream Chatter’s website says the women are “guaranteed a fair trade [and] guaranteed an income—something they cannot get on their own.” Sugianto pays the female artisans 50 percent upfront; once their designs are completed, she pays the remainder. She also pays the small businesses she works with.

“I believe that handouts can create some dependency,” she says. “I want to give [the women] the tools so they can empower their children.”

This employment gives these women a livelihood — and the power to feed their children. In a video posted on Dream Chatter’s website, one of the women explains the money she makes through the project is “for everyday living so I can buy rice for the children and I can buy soap for the children.”

The final products made in Indonesia will be sold through the website. Sugianto plans to use the profits from the sold products to reinvest in the business and ultimately hire more women. Five percent of the profits also go back to nonprofits focused on children’s education.

As the launch quickly approaches, Sugianto admits she’s “anxious and nervous,” but believes in her project — and for good reason. They’ve already sold out of their prototypes! Still, “it’s not necessarily about the money at all,” she tells HER Magazine. “Could [Dream Chatter] be a seed to their children’s future? It’s their livelihood that weighs on my shoulders.”

Sugianto often makes her business calls in the middle of the night due to the time difference. For her, this is not only a passion project, but an adventure in starting a new business. “I’ve got all this stuff. I have a lot of things running through my head. What’s the most important thing to do this week?” she asks aloud, always looking forward and processing how she can make Dream Chatter successful.

Despite sleepless nights (Dream Chatter gets its name from the fact that she talks in her sleep), Sugianto is in this for the long haul. Her family, friends, and fiancé have provided her with the emotional and financial support to make this project happen, and knowing she’s helping provide jobs for other women means everything to her.

“Someone else needs me,” she says. “I’m not going to make a huge impact right away, but if it helps one family, it’s totally worth it.”

The post How One Woman Is Building Dreams With Jobs In Indonesia appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

It’s a practice that needs to stop.

Dr. Wendy Patrick is a behavioral expert, career trial attorney, and author. She explains that women — especially in the workplace — DO need to talk about other women, but in a positive light. That starts with praise. Real praise.

Why Praise is Important

Many of us spend countless hours at work. Sometimes, we see our co-workers more than our boyfriends, husbands, or children. “That is exactly why authentic praise and compliments are so important,” says Patrick, author of Red Flags: Frenemies, Underminers, and Ruthless People.

Praise makes people feel useful, important, and appreciated — leading to a sense of well being. Happy employees are productive employees. “Employees who feel valued are motivated to do the best job they can,” she emphasizes. Sincere praise and compliments from colleagues are important because they foster an environment of team playing and mutual respect.

Keep It Real

 “Cheap flattery is unappealing — and usually obvious,” Patrick says. False flattery is often general, so focus on specific areas of admiration. Patrick suggests avoiding nonspecific compliments like, “You always look great.”

“We like specifics and find genuine praise authentically rewarding,” she explains. Too much generic praise can get annoying, because its repetition is suspect when it does not appear to be tied to any legitimate observation.

Praising Others is a Good Look

Whether or not you realize it, Patrick says praising others demonstrates self-confidence, strength, and leadership. “Strong, confident women admit they learn something new every day from their peers, supervisors, and subordinates.”

“Likability,” she adds, “also enhances perceived competence.”

Just Do It — In Moderation

 If you’re not in the habit of giving praise or compliments to others, start slow. “Take some time to think about and list the specific positive attributes you admire about [your co-workers],” she advises.

And make sure you give praise in person, rather than email or text message.

“It feels good to genuinely enhance the lives of others,” she says. “You are contributing to a happy, healthy, productive home away from home for everyone.”

The post No More Mean Girls: The Power of (Real) Praise appeared first on HER Magazine ™.