Tuesday, February 5, 2008

117: women and children first

It was quite an exciting day today, as it was the first day when I've been sent stories by Reasons to be Hopeful readers before getting on the web to seek them out myself. So, today I bring you two great stories selected by readers Suzie and Catherine. The first, from 'Fire / Rescue News' (no, really) is linked through the title above. It relates the incredible story of a baby thrown from a burning building in Germany into the arms of a policeman four floors below ... and safely caught! The baby was released by her desperate father - he and the baby's mother were also rescued from the building, as were many others, though sadly several people did perish in the fire. Thanks very much, Suzie, for alerting us to baby Onur's incredible rescue - and for a great photo too (from the UK's Independent newspaper).

The second story sent today, by Catherine, is from the UK's Guardian newspaper. It's an interesting assessment of the ways in which progressive companies are harnessing the increased decision-making power of women, in the economy and in society - enabling their female employees to achieve career success without suppressing their femininity, and thereby tap into new commercial opportunities. The Guardian article argues that it is for companies and society to change, in order to make the most of different gender perspectives and attributes - rather than urging women to emulate 'masculine' traits to succeed. Sounds good to me! (It also seems particularly apt, given the current 'run for their money' that Hillary Clinton is giving her male opponents in the US presidential race...) Thanks, Catherine, for sending it in. I suspect we will get some more debate around this, as we did the last time I posted something on women and leadership (on Day Thirty-Six)! Let's see...

2 comments:

Alix said...

That baby story in incredible and an incredible photo too! Gld everyone was okay.

eazibee said...

Thanks Alix - Well, the baby and father were fine, though I think the mother may still be recovering in hospital. Lots of others got out too, but sadly not everyone - there were more than 20 people living in the building. All I believe were Turkish immigrants, and the police are investigating how the fire was started (arson being one possibility). So it's a sad story in many ways, but one that had an incredibly lucky outcome for baby Onur and her family... and of course the world is wishing them well now! (I think that photo will be famous by tomorrow...) E