About this time last year, an EY (formerly Ernst & Young) report revealed that there are more men with the names John, Robert, James, or William on S&P 1500 company boards than there are women in total - a novel, but rather depressing statistic.
The most recent publication of the Fortune 500 list shows that only 21 companies (or 4.2%) are directed by women, down from 24 the year previous, a backslide that suggests that the journey to closing the gender gap could be a long one. In fact, the World Economic Forum puts a number on how long, stipulating that 2186 may be the year when gender equality finally triumphs.
Of course, there are ways and means to battle forward, and it holds us all in good stead to be optimistic. A more likable statistic is the revelation that 50% of female Fortune 500 CEOs have an MBA qualification. This demonstrates that there are arrows that can be added to the proverbial quiver,helping some of us shatter the glass ceiling.
Today is International Women's Day, a global event that celebrates women's achievements and which calls for gender equality. In support of the cause, here is a selection of MBA scholarships and initiatives that are dedicated to women - funding is most definitely needed to get more women moving forwards and upwards.
The Forté Fellows Program
The Forté Foundation was set up because its main goal was to support women on their pathway into business. Schools partnered with the organization have given almost US$110 million to participants of the Forté Fellows Program. All participating business schools (listed here) grant awards to full-time MBA students, with selected schools offering MBA scholarships for part-time and executive MBA courses.
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