Real-World Alpha Females
Women are outearning, outpacing, and outshining men like never before. Here, some alpha females from our Women on Top special.
Name: Lorraine Parrish
Age: 30
Location: Baltimore
Job: Real-estate investor
Hours at work per week: 60
Proudest alpha moment: I was one of only two women pursuing an industrial-engineering degree in college when I volunteered as a teaching assistant. The first class I taught was unruly and rude. The next morning, I didn't ask for the men's attention, I just started teaching. My confidence was evident, and I gained their respect.
Alpha mission statement: Aggressively pursuing financial and career objectives offers a major return on my investment of time. I make $1 million a year. I do not understand the helpless, c'est la vie attitude toward life.
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The best part of being me: In a word, control. I've gained control over my life, my finances, and my destiny.
The downside: Envy harbored by others.
Plugged in: I always have my laptop, Treo 700, USB storage stick, pocket GPS for driving directions, and iPod with me.
My posse: The friends I have are mostly alphas. Whereas we feel comfortable talking about money and success, those are not enjoyable topics when talking with my less ambitious friends.
My relationship: I prefer alpha men, like my husband. We motivate and challenge each other to reach new heights.
The real me: I am usually the person to break the doldrums of indecision.
Theme song: "Ama Credi E Vai" ("Because We Believe") by Andrea Bocelli
Alison Schwartz
Age: 34
Location: New York City
Job: Producer, CBS News — The Early Show
Hours at work per week: 60
Early alpha inklings: In sixth grade I played Minnie Mouse in my elementary school play, and Mickey forgot his lines. So in front of everyone, I said, "Jon, you forgot your lines!"
Alpha motto: To do it all — wake up early, work out, give 110 percent to my job, rush out after work to get a manicure or run errands, meet friends for dinner. I try to be organized and disciplined.
Plugged in: I have four electronic devices on me at all times: cell phone, BlackBerry, iPod, digital camera.
My relationships: I need a man who can keep up with me. But I also like a guy who's a little tamer, because it usually brings me down a notch, which is a good thing! I get set up all the time.
Kids: I want to have children, but I love having a career, so I hope I'll be able to balance the two. I definitely worry about being able to have it all.
Best part about being me: I get to cover big stories at work, and I always meet interesting people in my personal life.
The downside: I always wonder if my single friends and I are single because we're into our careers, or if we're into our careers because we're single.
My posse: Among my friends, I'm the social coordinator. Need a tip on where to go to dinner? What bars to try? Who's having a party? I'll know.
The real me: Some people are taken aback by my energy!
Theme song: "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper.
Allison Cooper
Age: 25
Location: Boston
Job: I'm a full-time MBA student now; I used to be a management consultant.
Hours at work per week: About 67
Early alpha inklings: I was usually the youngest by 20 years and the only woman at client presentations. Once, a consultant told me he was impressed by how I "acted like I deserved to be there as much as the rest of them." It was meant as a compliment, but felt demeaning.
Best part of being me: I don't have to worry about what my life will be like. I know I'll be able to handle anything.
The downside: It's hard to relinquish power and delegate.
Plugged in: I always have my PDA, phone, iPod, and laptop.
My posse: I'm usually the one who decides what we do — I get annoyed after a few minutes of indecision.
Kids: My fiancé and I definitely want kids when the time is right, but it will take some adjusting. We're both ambitious.
The real me: It can be draining to always strive to be at the top of my game. But it's satisfying.
Theme song: "Fix You" by Coldplay
Beverly Wilks
Age: 35
Location: Montreal
Job: Director, Corporate Marketing & Communications for OZ Communications
Hours at work per week: 65 to 70
Early alpha inklings: Once I hand-delivered my résumé to the VP of the ad agency I wanted to work for. Then I sent her a holiday card, and she gave me a shot at being a media coordinator.
The best part of being me: The ability to get it all done and make it seem effortless.
The downside: A colleague once told me that I needed to "tone down that can-do attitude; it's making the rest of us look bad." Nice, eh?
Kids: Early on, I realized children did not fit into the picture.
The real me: I wear only pants to work, so when the men put their feet up on the desk during a strategy session, I can do the same.
Theme song: "Survivor" by Destiny's Child
Erica Van Ross
Age: 30
Location: St. Louis
Job: Television reporter, KMOV-TV
Hours at work per week: 45
Early alpha inklings: In my 20s, I had to watch a corporate video that, frankly, wasn't very good. But it was produced by a powerful person in the company. I was the only one to say it needed changes. My colleagues were horrified, but the bigwig appreciated my honesty — and changed the video.
Alpha instincts: I had to leave in the middle of a date once to report on extreme flooding in the area.
Best part of being me: Independence. I'm a strong woman who likes being able to do things on my own.
The downside: Hands down, dating! I want a guy who takes pride in his career, but how he treats me and his sense of humor are more important.
Relationship history: Men date me because they think it's interesting that I'm on TV, or they try to convince me that they're "good enough."
Kids: It's difficult to embrace the idea, so I push it out of my head so I won't be too devastated if it doesn't happen.
Plugged in: I carry a work-issued pager, a personal cell phone, and a work cell.
My posse: It's challenging with my beta friends, watching them go through situations where just a little more alpha would help.
Moments of doubt: Sometimes, when I feel pressured, I wish I were more of a backseat passenger.
The real me: I'm just a nice person who knows what she wants out of life and has to get it.
Theme song: "Keep on Going" by Vivian Green
Dedicated to women of power, purpose, and style, Marie Claire is committed to celebrating the richness and scope of women's lives. Reaching millions of women every month, Marie Claire is an internationally recognized destination for celebrity news, fashion trends, beauty recommendations, and renowned investigative packages.
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