Nanette Heide Quoted in Associated Press Article

“Big Girls Do Cry: Women Weigh in on Clinton’s ‘Moment’”

Nanette Heide is quoted in the article, “Big Girls Do Cry: Women Weigh in on Clinton’s ‘Moment,’” syndicated by the Associated Press to national newspapers. The article examines the scrutiny of women in leadership positions prompted by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s ‘catch-in-her-voice’ moment while campaigning for the New Hampshire Presidential Primary election. The article reports that on the job, successful women want to be judged by their work, which often means keeping their emotions at bay.

Nanette notes that even when a woman cares deeply about her work or personal life, an outburst of emotion can handicap her case: “You really do have to take a deep breath and keep it in check… I think we are always passionate in representing our clients, whether it’s in trial or it’s in the board room, and I think you can be more effective without going to that level.”

Nanette points out that there is a discernable double standard between what’s expected from professional men and women in the workplace, however, recalling an instance in which a male colleague was “vicious and horrible” with her on the phone. The next day he apologized, saying that he had been suffering from stress due to his newborn baby. Nanette observes that, “Men are given a pass when these things arrive, but for women it’s a huge black mark… It’s immediately spun into, ‘Oh my God, she can’t handle the pressure.’”