Email List

CBS12 TEXT ALERTSNEWSCAST LINKSHURRICANE TRACKERCBS NEWS LIVEPICS@CBS12.COMHEALTH CARE REFORM
WPEC-TV CBS12 News :: News - Top Stories - Yahoo's new CEO announces she's pregnant
Wednesday, July 18 2012, 10:38 AM EDT
Yahoo's new CEO announces she's pregnant
NEW YORK -- "Another piece of good news today," tweeted the expectant mom, announcing to her online followers that she and her husband are awaiting a baby boy.

But this wasn't just any excited mom-to-be. This was 37-year-old Marissa Mayer, the newly named CEO of Yahoo - obviously a huge achievement for anyone, but especially for a woman in the male-dominated tech industry. And she was about six months pregnant, to boot.

Exciting news - especially for Mayer and her husband, of course - but did it mean something for the rest of us, too? Was it a watershed moment in the perennial debate over whether women can "have it all," with the pendulum swinging happily in the positive direction?

Or was it, as some claimed in the inevitable back-and-forth on Twitter, actually a development that would increase pressure on other working moms, who might not have nearly the resources that Mayer does, in terms of wealth, power, talent and flexibility on the job?

Or was it even sexist to raise the question at all? Would anyone be saying anything if the new Yahoo CEO were an expectant father? No, went a frequent online thread: No one would even pay attention to that.

What was clear was that Mayer's situation as a pregnant CEO of a Fortune 500 company is not only rare, but probably unique. She becomes only the 20th current female CEO of a Fortune 500 company, according to Catalyst, an organization that tracks women's advancement in the workplace. If it sounds like a lot, it's not; that's only four percent of Fortune 500 chiefs.

There is little or no research tracking whether any have been pregnant while in that job, but a look at the other current female Fortune 500 CEOs shows that the vast majority are well into their 50s, and thus presumably well out of maternity-leave territory.

Mayer, who left Google to take the new job, wasn't speaking - tied up with her first-day responsibilities Tuesday at Yahoo, she declined interview requests, including one from The Associated Press. But on Monday, she told Fortune magazine that the Yahoo board "showed their evolved thinking" by hiring a pregnant chief executive, and that she plans to take only a few weeks maternity leave - during which she would work throughout.

That raised a few eyebrows among some who suspected it might not be as easy as the first-time mom thinks.

"She will also, I am betting, not power through quite as single-mindedly on her maternity leave as she thinks she will," wrote Lisa Belkin on her Huffington Post blog.

Many speculated that, like other working moms, Mayer would find her attentions and energies divided well beyond maternity leave.

"Anyone can have it all," said Julie Marrs, a sales administrator in Conroe, Texas, "but maybe not be as successful at everything as one hopes." Marrs, a mother of two boys who works full-time, said she has learned the hard way that something always gets sacrificed.

"There are times that I am so mentally drained when I get home from work that I definitely do not spend the time I should with my kids," she said in an email message. "Whether it be working on homework, reading books, playing a game or simply talking about their day. I try my best, but realize that to `have it all,' something will be sacrificed. It could be takeout four nights during the week instead of a hot, home-cooked meal. Or it could be hearing your child read their first story book."

While most online chatter about Mayer was full of praise for both her and Yahoo and sometimes saying "You CAN have it all!," there were those who said Mayer was perhaps not the best example to prove such a thesis.

One of them was Anne-Marie Slaughter, whose online lament last month on The Atlantic's website - "Why Women Still Can't Have it All" - unleashed a furious debate, showing that while the question might be a perennial one, it hasn't lost any punch.

"Well, I think it's fabulous news," Slaughter said of Mayer's appointment and pregnancy in a telephone interview. But, she suggested, Mayer's situation - with her wealth, prominence and power - has little concrete relevance to the lives of ordinary women. (Mayer's personal wealth has been estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars, largely due to Google stock that she owns.)

"We all applaud her," Slaughter said. "But she's superhuman, rich, and in charge. She isn't really a realistic role model for hundreds of thousands of women who are trying to figure out how you make it to the top AND have a family at the same time."

She also noted that Mayer had arrived at her position of prominence by following the route many working women in Slaughter's generation - she is 53 - had followed, including Slaughter herself: waiting until after 35 to have a child, so as to first establish yourself professionally.

"It's a risky route, because of that biological clock," she noted.

While many applauded Mayer's achievement, a few were disappointed that the big news of her pregnancy was, well, big news.

"It is great that Marissa Mayer is pregnant," tweeted writer Rebecca Traister. "But the intensity of reaction is slightly depressing. Kind of as if they'd hired a yeti."

Catalyst, the organization that tracks women in the workplace, also noted that it hopes one day, "there will no longer be a need to count" the women CEOs in the Fortune 500. Others called Mayer a role model, but then said they wish that she didn't have to be.

Jen Singer, a mommy blogger based in New Jersey, had another concern. Mayer, she said, was certainly going to have more flexibility, being at the top. But, she added, "She also has more responsibility."

"When most women announce their pregnancies, it doesn't affect the value of the company's stock. Just like Steve Jobs for a time insisted his health was fine to protect Apple, Mayer must look like she can have the baby and handle the company at the same time.

"I just hope she doesn't screw it up for the rest of us," Singer said. "Because whether she likes it or not, she is now the poster child for working mothers."
Yahoo's new CEO announces she's pregnant

WPEC-TV CBS12 News :: Advertise with us!

Related Stories

  • WPEC :: Community - Community Calendar

    Community Calendar

    Find all of the information you need on the local events, concerts, festivals and just about anything else going on in your community!
  • WPEC :: Community - See It, Shoot It, Send It

    See It, Shoot It, Send It

    Did you catch that incredible sunset? Have a photo for your adorable child or pet? Snap a picture of breaking news? Share it with us!


Top Stories List

WPEC-TV CBS12 News :: Advertise with us!

Business News

US economic growth slowed to 1.5 pct. rate in Q2

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Americans cut back sharply on spending in the spring. And the government now reports the price of that cutback. The U.S. economy grew at an annual rate of just 1.5 percent from April through June.

Consumer Info

Mazda recalls 217,000 Tribute SUVs
DETROIT (AP) -- Mazda is recalling about 217,000 Tribute SUVs to fix a problem that can cause the gas pedals to stick. It's the same problem that forced Ford to recall 485,000 Escape SUVs on Thursday. ...

Entertainment News

FRED WILLARD TELLS FALLON NOTHING HAPPENED

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Fred Willard says "nothing happened" and he "did nothing wrong" when he was busted in a Hollywood adult theater.

Get This

FIFTY SHADES OF PREGNANT

NEW YORK (AP) -- It may be too soon to declare a mini baby boom.

Science/Tech News

NOT ONLINE AND THEN BACK: TWITTER OUTAGE THURSDAY

LONDON (AP) -- Twitter went offline for a time Thursday.


 
  • WPEC :: News - Spot Crime

    Spot Crime

    Search for any crime within a 5-mile radius of your home!
  • WPEC :: News - Extraordinary People

    Extraordinary People



  • WPEC :: News - Health Care Reform

    Health Care Reform

    The Supreme Court ruling to uphold the Affordable Care Act sparked a new battle. Check here daily for the latest developments, locally and across the country.
  • WPEC :: News - Trending with Tracy

    Trending with Tracy

    Tracy St. George, a South Florida DJ for WRMF, delivers the hottest celebrity news weekly on CBS12's Trending with Tracy.

  • WPEC :: News - CBS12 Dolphins Extra

    CBS12 Dolphins Extra

    Get the inside scoop on the Miami Dolphins with CBS12's Josh Samuels and Pat Murphy.
  • WPEC :: News - Wednesday's Weather Kid

    Wednesday's Weather Kid

    Welcome to Wednesday's Weather Kid on CBS12's Good Morning South Florida! Here we let middle schoolers produce a "bus stop forecast" each Wednesday. Contact Robin Cross at rcross@cbs12.com for info on ...
  • WPEC :: News - Washington Guardian

    Washington Guardian

    The Washington Guardian is an online newspaper committed to providing watchdog journalism from the nation's capital aimed at safeguarding everyday Americans' tax dollars, security and freedoms.
  • WPEC :: News - Vote 2012

    Vote 2012

    The 2012 Presidential race is expected to be dominated by which candidate has the best plan.
  • WPEC :: News - Waste Watch

    Waste Watch

    How are your tax dollars being spent? Waste Watch tracks whether local, state and federal governments or any groups are using your money wisely...or wasting it.
  • WPEC :: News - Top Stories

    Top Stories

    Get up to the minute information from South Florida and the Treasure Coast in our Top Stories section!
  • WPEC :: News - Newscast Links

    Newscast Links

    Get links and contact information from items mentioned in our newscasts!
  • WPEC :: News - Tech-Xperts

    Tech-Xperts

    Get tips and advice on everything tech related, from smartphones, gadgets and online security to Twitter topics and Facebook news and tips!
  • WPEC :: News - Treasure Coast

    Treasure Coast

    Watch local news videos and read news stories happening in Treasure Coast!
  • WPEC :: News - Palm Beach County

    Palm Beach County

    Watch local news videos and read news stories happening in Palm Beach County!
  • WPEC :: News - News Tips

    News Tips

    Do you have a lead on a good news tip or want to share a story idea? Let us know!
  • WPEC :: News - Raw News

    Raw News

    See the news as it happened, raw and unedited!
  • WPEC :: News - CBS 12 News LIVE Stream

    CBS 12 News LIVE Stream

    Watch LIVE CBS 12 newscasts and breaking news as it happens here!
  • WPEC :: News - Traffic Links

    Traffic Links

    Get links and information on traffic conditions, rail information and arrival and departure information for PBIA, MIA and FLL!
  • WPEC :: News - PBC Mugshot Roundup

    PBC Mugshot Roundup

    View a selection of mugshots from the Palm Beach County Jail's portrait studio, via a publicly available online booking search.
  • WPEC :: News - Sex Offender Mapping

    Sex Offender Mapping

    Search for any registered sexual offender or predator within a 5-mile radius of your home!
  • WPEC :: News - Product Recalls

    Product Recalls

    Get the latest recalls on autos, child safety seats, consumer products and FDA food and drugs recalls!
  • WPEC :: News - Forever Family

    Forever Family

    Watch videos and read stories of local people and families in need!
  • WPEC :: News - Weenie of the Week

    Weenie of the Week

    See who made our list of people guilty of ridiculous or just plain bad behavior!
  • WPEC :: News - Point Counterpoint

    Point Counterpoint

    Get thoughts and opinions on current political topics from all sides of the debate!
  • WPEC :: News - The Dwyer Awards

    The Dwyer Awards

    The William T. Dwyer Awards for Excellence in Education honors outstanding educators from public and private schools in Palm Beach County.


  • WPEC :: News - Live Feed

    Live Feed

    Watch the CBS News Live Feed for news stories as they happen!
  • WPEC :: News - National and World News

    National and World News

    Get the latest headlines from across the nation and around the world.
  • WPEC :: News - Pet of the Day

    Pet of the Day

    Watch our "Pet of the Day" videos for adorable pets that need a loving home!
  • WPEC :: News - Gas Prices

    Gas Prices

    Find the lowest gas prices in West Palm Beach, get fuel saving tips, price trends and check out nationwide gas price averages!

more »

WPEC-TV CBS12 News :: Advertise with us!

Tonight on CBS12

6 -- CBS Evening News
6:30 -- CBS12 News
7 -- 60 Minutes
8 -- The Amazing Race 20
9 -- The Good Wife
10 -- CSI: Miami
11 -- CBS 12 News
11:30 -- Criminal Minds
12:30 a.m. -- Numb3rs
Complete Schedule»