Gender Stereotyping Was Not Appropriate

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

To the Editor:

In the article The Chronicle published about Kathryn Wolford, the former head of Lutheran World Relief who is now president of the McKnight Foundation (“An International-Aid Leader Takes Over as Head of a Big Foundation,” December 7, 2006), she was described as a “quiet, attentive woman” who “is not the imposing American some might envision leading an organization that last year had a $34-million budget.”

Where did The Chronicle get the idea that women are rarely seen heading multimillion-dollar international development organizations and visiting developing countries?

Melinda Gates, Helene Gayle, Carol Bellamy, Maria Otero, and Yolonda Richardson — the list goes on — all disprove this flawed logic.

Gender is not an indicator of professional competence.

Randi Nordeen
Director
Corporate and Foundation Support
Centre for Development and Population Activities
Washington