By: Anita Revel

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Friday, October 12, 2007 at 1:01am

Phyte for your rights

Column: Outing the Goddess Within
If the web emitted a smell, it would be Chanel. Or so says the president of GirlPhyte, a monthly webzine for women who are perpetually young at heart and who approach the adventure of life with passion.

Susan Van Der Hout believes "it's time for the boys and disbelieving girls to recognize this and either get on the train or out of the way."

There's passion for ya. And, I believe, the new brand of feminism packaged in one tidy concept — to redefine success from the female perspective: Holistically and Organically.

I interpret this statement from Susan as meaning women should be allowed to be authentic to themselves in the workplace instead of modifying their behavior to fit the stereotypical mold — a hangover from the days of "Barbie the bad doll, whose perfect body and perfect life still plague women everywhere," according to Susan. "It is truly godless."

Sadly, "pink ghettos" are still firmly entrenched in workplaces, according to Joanna Pachner of Canada's Financial Post. The Post reports that "female associates are less likely to be introduced to clients, and if they were brought to client meetings, they would be the ones asked to make photocopies."

If Susan has her way, GirlPhyte will inspire the end of gender stereotyping and women will be able to step back from the photocopier. The aim is to "tip the culture of the marketplace to align with the facts."

Knowing that Susan is in rehabilitation from 25 years of practicing law, I ask her to explain this lovely rhetoric so that a recovering ex-corporate stress-chick like me can understand it clearly.

"Women are solidly in the workplace, lead in new business development and control personal and business spending," she says. "It's time. Burn the ladder model of success, feed the tree: A truly successful life is one with deep roots, many branches, healthy growth and richer lives."

Ah yes, I remember now. I climbed the ladder well enough in my corporate days, but it was the disparity with salary that I couldn't get my head around. Though my employers were supportive in helping their female employees climb the "ladder of success," they were also quite open about their reasons — "because they work harder and expect less."

Sadly, my "bad Barbie" upbringing meant that I didn't dare open my mouth against the inequity. Not until the day I chopped my hair off and stormed back into the office, that is.

"I'm Anita Warrior Princess," I declared to my boss. Actually, it was more of a gush — I was desperate to get the words out before I wet my pants from fear. "And I deserve to be paid as much as the blokes."

My timing was impeccable. A resignation had landed on his desk minutes before, and I found myself with a promotion and a 110 percent pay rise. Pity he couldn't wave a wand and get my hair back for me, but, oh well, every girl needs to go through a bad hair year at least once.

Sadly or happily, depending on whether the glass is half-full or half-empty (or just too darned big), I found out later I was next in line for the big leg-up, whether I'd channeled my inner warrior or not. Again, oh well.

Back then, I called my inner source of strength a "warrior princess." It reflected the type of energy I needed to rally to go shoulder-to-shoulder with the boys. Now that I have stepped off the stereotypical corporate train, however, I consider myself blessed that I have regained my authenticity and can call my inner power my "inner goddess" — I see her/me as the beautiful, lovable, intuitive, sassy and sacred self that I was born to be.

Susan doesn't have an inner goddess ... yet. "But I am very familiar with a personal gremlin that dug his claws into my shoulder for much of my professional life, whispering: 'You're an idiot.' Fortunately he finally left me for a leading role in 'The Ring,'" she says.

Her "goddess moment" is on its way, though, and to help her on her journey Susan is believing in baby kisses, serendipity, sliding doors, fate, choice, risk, spirit and above all the pursuit of personal authenticity.

In this spirit of creativity, Susan's advice is to plant a tree. "Select its genre lovingly — it is you; plant it in fertile soil; nurture it (you're worth it); select sun, not shade, and grow; transplant if necessary; enjoy and share the fruits of your labors. Don't hold back. Go big or go home. As Scarlett said: 'Tomorrow is another day.'"

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Anita Ryan-Revel is the creatrix of Goddess.com.au, a content-rich website aimed at helping you connect with your beautiful, sassy, intuitive, lovable, sacred and authentic self. You can read more of her columns here. © Copyright 2007 by Anita Ryan-Revel.