Linda Tarr-Whelan talked about her book Women Lead the Way: Your Guide to Stepping Up to Leadership and Changing the World (Berrett-Koehler Publishers; October 1, 2009). She talked about the the problem of gender inequality in leadership positions in government and business. Ms. Tarr-Whelan argues that within organizations full gender equality becomes possible as soon as women make up 30% of the leadership. She was joined by Representative Rosa DeLauro, State Department Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Melanie Verveer, and Senator Mary Landrieu, who provided commentary. They then responded to questions from members of the audience. Heather McGhee moderated.

Linda Tarr-Whelan is a distinguished senior fellow at Demos. She was ambassador to the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women during the Clinton administration and was an adviser (deputy assistant) to President Jimmy Carter on women's issues.

"Women's Leadership: Achieving Critical Mass to Gain Benefits for All" was held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 8, 2009, in the Capitol Visitor Center, Room SVC 208/209. The event was sponsored by Demos, the Institute for Women's Policy Research, the National Council of Women's Organizations, the Women's Research and Education Institute, the National Partnership for Women and Families, and Women Thrive Worldwide.