A Little History:
Dr. Priscilla V. Marotta’s interest in the challenges presented to professional women began in
1976, when she formed her first focus group of women seeking mentoring and support to continue their professional advancement and develop a quality personal life. This original group continues to meet yearly – a quarter of a century later.
Members of the group enriched both their professional and
personal lives: one member went on to receive an MBA, another received her doctorate, one left teaching and became a vice-president of a computer services company, another left IBM and found great satisfaction with her work with
the Big Sister organization and facilitating parenting groups, three were married, and four children were added to the reunions.
Thus began Dr. Marotta’s commitment to fostering the recognition of women’s talents and interest in gender studies.
She could clearly see the importance of networking among
women, both in her own life and in the lives of her
clients. The support of a network helps
counter societal impediments women face every day. Research studies developed a strong body of literature
documenting the subtle nature of gender
differences, gender behaviors, and gender discrimination. Study after study has demonstrated that many cultural beliefs will impact the progress of women professionals.
Dr. Marotta’s professional life continued to focus on women’s psychological development. In 1997, Dr. Marotta’s research interests began to center on the unique challenges of high achieving professional women. A focus group,
the “Women’s Power Breakfast Group,” was formed in Fort Lauderdale.
This group included women professionals and businesswomen. Once again, the synergy of the women resulted in significant bonding among the group and significant
benefit.
The value of a mutual support network for talented women is
readily apparent, because without such support who mentors the mentor? A singular frustration of high achieving women is the absence of a supportive and confidential environment to continue their professional and personal development.
A clear need for more supportive resources is seen as women continue to “break new ground"
with advances and career choices, women need to engage in an assessment of the cost-benefit of
their decisions and look to the future through strategic planning.
Members of this initial group created the seeds for a dynamic
new support framework, and shared their personal stories in
Dr. Marotta's book. Their network continues even now
through annual reunions.
In 1997, the corporation Women of Wisdom, Inc., ™ was founded to foster women becoming
"stars" in their lives. In March 1999, the book
Power and Wisdom: The New Path for Women was published. The groundbreaking discussion of “power-robbing” behaviors and developing “power tools” resulted in numerous awards.
Power and Wisdom was Bookworld’s 1999 New Release Bestseller,
and Dr. Marotta received the Notable Author Award, and the Florida Psychological Association Award for Outstanding Contributions to the understanding of women.
In the summer of 2000, Dr. Marotta was invited to Hong Kong
as the keynote speaker for the inaugural meeting of the Women’s Division of the American Chamber of Commerce.
She spoke of this new approach to power. During her visit, she
was recognized in
Hong Kong Today. The national and international responses to the principles of Psychological Strategic Planning (PSP) have been enthusiastically received world-wide.
In the summer of 2001, Dr. Marotta followed the tenets of her own strategic planning.
She and the board of directors decided to dedicate Women of Wisdom, Inc., ™ to the support and advancement of women. The mission of this company is to become a “catalyst for change” in the professional and personal lives of these women by creating a synergistic environment and
mentoring women to become "stars" in their lives.
