Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 28, 1995 TAG: 9504280049
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: BUSINESS EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SHANNON D. HARRINGTON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"Hello, Suzie Light's desk, may I help you," Rene Light said nervously while playing Mom's secretary. Rene, 12, took off a day from school for Take Our Daughters to Work Day.
She was among 48 daughters, ages 9 to 15, who shadowed their mothers or fathers at Trigon Blue Cross Blue Shield on Thursday.
Trigon, along with Hollins College, which attracted 13 daughters, took part in the nationally sponsored event which was expected to attract 7 million to 10 million girls this year. Last year, between 5 million and 7 million girls took part.
The day, in its third year, is sponsored by the Ms. Foundation for Women in New York and has received support from the White House and governors in 21 states.
At both Trigon and Hollins, a busy itinerary gave the daughters a taste of the "real world" and allowed them the chance to observe and help their parents on the job. The day's agenda also allowed time for the girls to discuss and respond to issues pertaining to women in the work force.
At Trigon, a panel of seven women employees discussed issues such as how to move up the corporate ladder as well as how to manage a career and a family.
Hollins participants climbed a 35-foot wall from the college's recreation department. The activity was intended to teach the girls teamwork and courage, said Tina Rolen, assistant director of career development at Hollins.
Other events at both locations included tours and, of course, plenty of time to ask questions.
Rene and her step-sister, Brandi Sink, 11, said helping their mother was what they enjoyed the most. They learned everything from the proper way to answer the phone to how to print reports from their mom's computer. Both girls said they wanted to do it again next year.
Rene said the toughest part was deciding what to wear. "It took me about a year to find what dress to wear," she said.
While the nationally recognized day has grown in popularity since its start in 1993, it also has drawn a bit of controversy.
Light said she thinks there should be a similar opportunity for sons. Light has a 14-year-old son who wanted to take part. She said it would be good for her son to see her and other women in the work force.
"My son probably thinks I just come to work and goof off," said Light, executive secretary to Trigon's vice president and general manager of individual markets.
Last year, Charlotte, N.C.-based First Union Corp. developed a co-ed "Kid's Day" which was held on the same day as the daughters' day. This year, the company will sponsor the event but has scheduled it for August.
"We don't want to target one sex over the other. It is just as important for the boys to know what their mother does at work as it is for the daughter," said Peg Wimmer, secretary for First Union's director of marketing in Roanoke.
Rolen, however, said that having a day dedicated only for daughters is definitely justified.
"I think you only have to look at the research and statistics to show how this day is important. It's perfectly proper that we encourage girls. The whole debate is very discouraging," she said.
Rolen added that she would support any program which gave sons the chance to do the same things.
"But I don't see anyone out there beating their drums to organize this," she said.
When the day was over, coordinators of the events at Trigon said they were exhausted.
Eda Gliniecki, communications coordinator, was pleased with the outcome and the representation.
"There was diversity on a great many levels. We didn't want it to be just management, but a diversity of work experience and life experiences. Also ethnic diversity added to the richness," Gliniecki said.
She said Trigon will evaluate the events with forms to be completed by the daughters and parents and plans to sponsor them again next year.
by CNB