Power Women Gracefully Balance Family and Career

Plus: Main Line Today welcomes a new family member.

SHE REALIZES HER TRUE POWER, and everyone is afraid of her. So she sequesters herself in a monastic-like ice prison. That was my takeaway from Frozen—to which my sister-in-law replied, “You’re reading too much into it.” 

Intent on proving my point, I asked my 3-year-old niece whom she likes best in Frozen, certain that she would choose “good” Princess Anna over lonely but powerful Princess Elsa. Sophie’s answer: Olaf, the snowman. Go figure.

For examples of real-life female bravery and success, read about Main Line Today’s latest Power Women (page 56). These 24 honorees “let it go” all the way to the top of their professions and charitable organizations. As I interviewed them, a reoccurring theme emerged: Instead of struggling to choose between career and family, many of these women gracefully balance both. 

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Not that it’s ever easy to achieve balance. To help in that department, we’ve created a Personal Best checklist, designed to keep everyone in the family in top form (page 64). We’ve also updated our annual A-list of local spas and salons (page 82)—because even power women need pampering.

Join us in recognizing 2014’s honorees at our annual Women on the Move Luncheon Oct. 23 at Drexelbrook in Drexel Hill. This year’s keynote speaker is Madeline Bell, president and COO of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. For tickets and more information, visit www.mainlinetoday.com.

As for our resident power woman, senior editor Tara Behan is reveling in a recent life decision she made. Behan and her husband, Mark Marmur, welcomed their first child, a beautiful baby boy, in August. While she’s on maternity leave, we’re pleased to welcome Eileen Smith Dallabrida, whose work has appeared in USA Today, the Christian Science Monitor and National Geographic Traveler, along with sister publication Delaware Today, where she’s been a longtime contributor. Dallabrida is handling our Style Line and Habitat sections in Behan’s absence. 

Like me, Dallabrida, Behan and new executive editor Suzanne Loudermilk have been fortunate enough to enjoy fulfilling careers in journalism. But too many women in too many parts of the world are unable to work in their chosen professions. They really are frozen, held captive by the storms that rage around them. That makes me grateful to be an American woman living in this time and place.We have a real power: to make our own choices. 

Our Best of the Main Line Elimination Ballot is open through February 22!