So, I’m standing in line at the grocery store the other night, to pay for my lemons. I glance over at the magazines and honed in the the October 25, 2009 edition of TIME. Why? The cover story GRABBED my attention because, earlier in the afternoon, I sent a survey to a few women, asking them, among other things, what prompts them to pick-up a magazine. I certainly do not believe in coincidence. Anyhoo…the cover story is a special report on: The State of the American Woman. A new poll shows why they are more powerful-but less happy...by Nancy Gibbs. Our (California) First Lady, Maria Shriver, contributed a Viewpoint article: The Unfinished Revolution, but I’ll talk about that another time.
Wow! Since I am just beginning my research about what (we) women want, this issue is giving me some of what I needed: some good questions, poll numbers and statistics to use. The statistics, gathered by Andrea Ford and Deidre Van Dyk, compare women of the 1970′s to today.
Now here are a few things to ponder 
…Women have made gains in annual salary: 1972 Men/$46,956; Women/$27,169. 2008 Men/$46,367; Women/$35,745 but still lag behind. In 1972 women earned 58 cents for every $1 men made. In 2008 women made 77 cents for every $1 men earned.
Today 57% of college students are women; in 1972, 43% were. OK, so I asked if you are happy, right? First, you have to define what happeness means to you. Does having a fulfilling spiritual life make you happy? A career? Children? Money? A husband? An emerald cut 3-carat diamond set in platinum? Heck yeah, but, I digress…
Of the people polled: Which would you most want a daughter of yours to have? Happy marriage and children: Women 56%; Men 63%. Financial success: Women 20%; Men 15%. An interesting career: Women 23%; Men 17%. Hmmm…
So, are you happy and how do these statistics speak to you?
