Let's Talk About Sexism Do sexist attitudes still exist in business? Women sound off.

Is sexism a dirty little secret in the business world today, orhas the problem diminished over time? We spoke with some womenentrepreneurs who started their companies over the past fourdecades to get their take on sexism and how they've dealt withit.

The 1970s

Looking back, Gwinavere Johnston, 60, founder and CEO of $1.5million JohnstonWells Public Relations in Denver, admits sheencountered her share of sexist attitudes after founding hercompany in 1971. "In the beginning, I ignored most of thembecause I didn't think there was much I could do about it and Ireally didn't feel [it] affected me too severely," sheexplains. "But today, I know this: It would have been easierto build my business if I had been a man."

More recently, Johnston has witnessed an attitude change thatgives her hope. "I've seen women really working atstarting their own 'good old girls' networks. I don'tmean that in terms of organizations or formal networkingopportunities," she says. "But lately, I've sensedthat corporate female executives just might prefer to work withanother woman from a consulting standpoint. I've never seenthat before, and I consider this the greatest sign of progressyet."

The 1980s

Attitudes have changed ever since Marianne O'Connor, 42,founded her PR firm in 1989. "A decade ago, when I wouldattend conferences with my husband, people assumed he was theexecutive and I was a 'stay at home, tennis-playing and/orchild-rearing' spouse," recalls the president and CEO of$3.2 million Los Gatos, California-based Sterling CommunicationsInc. Today, O'Connor says, other CEOs (as well as theirwives) no longer think it unusual or threatening when they learnshe's the CEO.

"The interesting twist is that many male business owners Iknow have matured to the point where they understand how much timeit takes to make a home or rear children well," saysO'Connor. "So [now] they're amazed I'm able to doa job like theirs and still take on many 'wife/mom' dutiesin my spare time."

The 1990s

Role models are what 39-year-old Michelle Drolet feels hashelped her deflect sexism in the business world. The CEO ofConqwestInc., a $4 million Internet security services firm, admits,"Having strong male and female influences while growing uptaught me that I could be and do anything I wanted. Today, I stillseek guidance from both men and women. There have been times whenthe old boys network rears its ugly head, but I chose to ignore itand move on. Why get attached to things that areunpleasant?"

Drolet sees an increase in the number of women willing to takerisks in business since starting her company in Holliston,Massachusetts, in 1993. Women "are proving to be asentrepreneurial as men, if not more so," she says. From ahigh-tech point of view, Drolet sees more women in higher executivepositions in her field as well as more women running techcompanies. "I'm not the only female in the room anymore,and I'm glad for that!"

The 2000s

"Women business owners have definitely gottenstronger," observes Stephanie Shirit, 32, CEO of $2 millionrecruiting and executive search firm ResourceAssociates in Las Vegas. "We are becoming the majorityinstead of the minority."

While Shirit hasn't encountered sexism directly sincefounding her company in 2000, she doesn't think she has avoidedit-she's just been lucky enough not to encounter it. SaysShirit, "Women need to continue to be strong and support oneanother as men do, and eventually we will prevail. I also believethat maintaining a professional demeanor at all times is veryimportant, no matter what happens. Your reputation and name areeverything."

Aliza Pilar Sherman (www.mediaegg.com) is an author, freelancewriter and speaker specializing in women's issues.