The launch party of the Working Mother Experience book was a standing room only, high energy event.
The authors were in demand -- signing books for most everyone in attendance. News photographers were snapping photos, and capturing names. There were balloons, flowers, cup cakes, huge smiles, lots of hugs, speeches, and a buzz that was audible throughout EMC's airport-sized headquarter building.
Here's a video of the event taken EMCer Candi Imming.
One guest in high demand for her autograph was my daughter, Margo Pearson. In addition to being the day that launched a book, which contained a story, which featured this vibrant youngster, it was her seventh birthday. (What better way to spend a birthday than to be with other amazing and accomplished women, eat cup cakes, be photographed, sign autographs and look fabulous?)
This is what she, Margo, had to say about the event in a report she wrote up as it was coming to a close:
"I got my story in a book! And I got a name tag and since it was my Brithday I got Alot of Sticers on it! And you are sapos to onlley have One sticker. But, I got more. And I got cake and ice crem And I LOVed it. And thar wer Blun's and the coller was Black, RWit, ReD, and more RWit. And I sigded allot of Book's! And this is how I signed them! Margo."
(Photos by Candi Imming.)
The following is an excerpt from the story I wrote in the book; the story that featured Margo's view of what women can accomplish in the world:
I was shocked when, in 2004, my nine-year-old,"old-soul" daughter, Sophie, said as a clear statement of fact "Women can't be President." I could not control the volume and tone of dismay in reply, "Whaaaat did you say?"
...
Flash forward to 2007. My youngest daughter, Margo, is now a vivacious five-year old. Her often-whispered nickname in the family is "The CEO." She's been running the household and all who come into her presence since she arrived on Earth -- so much so that it is our biggest parenting quandary.
About a month ago, I thought I'd introduce her to prayer. Perhaps starting a relationship with God, I thought, would help reinforce values of respect and gratitude. During our first bedtime prayer, I could tell she was riveted. She joined me by repeating a long list of the people and things in our life we are thankful for. Then, when the prayer was over, she rolled over in bed to face me and asked oh so earnestly, "Mom, how do I become God? That's the job I want."
Today, I found Margo's star power did not end at the event. She graced the front page of many newspapers local to our headquarter building.
Putting the proud Mother aside, following is a photograph of a few other now famous people snapped at the event by EMCer/blogger Gina Minksof EMCer/bloggers Steve Todd and Barry Burke.
----------------- Talk Back ------------
What's on your mind as you read this?
As I compiled the photos, I couldn't help but notice the support of people who have come to know one another through social media at EMC.
As great as the book is,had it not been for the social media connection, I am not entirely sure that folks like Candi Imming, Steve Todd, and Barry Burke would have torn themselves away from the Engineering labs to be at this event (just days prior to a MAJOR product launch at EMC to boot!) Or that EMCers Dave Spencer, Briane Keefe, Nuzhat Karim, Kris Cornwall, or Gina Minks would be tweeting about it. (check out #WME for a full string!)
But that is exactly what friends, family and fans do for one another.
EMC has always been a family. In fact, "family" is the word the FORTUNE editors used as the #1 take away from their "FORTUNE 100 Best Places to Work For" survey of EMC employees last year.
Founder Dick Egan said to me in 1992 he believed EMC stood for "Egan's Many Children."
It isn't 1992 any more ... but gee, it sure is feeling more and more like a family around here lately. And I like it that way. :)
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