NewsonWomen reports Women Entrepreneurs Raise $855 Million Venture Capital so far in 2012. Economy Lags but Trend of Women Appointed for Focus of Corporate Strategy Seen. Say Goodbye to 20th Century Tokenism!

Women entrepreneurs raised over $81 Million for their companies in September, bringing our total for the first nine months of 2012 to $855 million! Women of all experiences are succeeding as entrepreneurs, from women in science, (the bulk of the $85 million in September went to healthcare / science companies like MyoKardia, one of whose founders is Christine Seidman, MD - pictured above), to women in media and women in education. An interesting example of women taking advantage of the new economy is Deanna Jump, featured on EdSurge, who made history becoming the "first teacher selling classroom materials on TeachersPayTeachers.com to top $1 million in sales"! 

Corporate appointments of women to big jobs this month were disappointing due to the low number - less than 40 in September, but interesting because of the trend to choose women for how they fit into the companies' corporate strategy. No longer are women filling slots to increase gender equity. The women appointed in September clearly represent a move away from the 20th century game of catch up, to 21st century women chosen for their talent and experience and their ability to influence corporate vision. Examples of companies who chose women this month who will have a huge impact on the future business of the company include Microsoft, who appointed former president of CBS Network Television Entertainment Group Nancy Tellem (pictured right)to be their Entertainment & Digital Media President (will we see Microsoft TV soon?). Other companies strategically appointing women this month included Yahoo!, Nordstrom, Bristol-Myers Squibb, The Gap, Mattel, and Johnson & Johnson. Say goodbye to the 20th century "women as tokens" attitude!

Moving from 20th century attitudes to 21st century committments was also discussed this month with suggestions of how to update women's conferences so they can stay in tune with what's happening in business today. Another new wave to help women is the "Wits On" online mentoring program announced this month, a new approach to the 20th century problem of few role models and a lack of women in science and technology. "WitsOn" was launched by Harvey Mudd College and Piazza, founded by Pooja Sankar. Let's extend that concept to business women as well!