The Treasury

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My beef with 40 Under 40 lists

I've got a real beef with 40 Under 40 lists. Maybe originally created to celebrate a job well done, it seems they've just become a way for publications to profit off making women feel less-than.

Let me explain.

Say you're in the magazine. You open it up to your page and you feel amazing! Your face! On a page with other high achievers! Then you realize the list was put together based on who would sell the most copies, get the most clicks or buy a table at a fancy event.

Say you're not in the magazine. You open it up and feel pretty worthless. If you want to be recognized and applauded in this culture, you have to fit a very specific mold of corporate achievement.

What if someone could create a list that celebrates character instead of achievement? A list that isn't tied to generating revenue? That doesn't select women based on popularity?

That's Hundred Magazine. For the sake of our daughters, let's move away from celebrating women for what they can do and instead celebrate who they are.