Article January 1, 2001 Issue

Dena Falken

International lawyer

with contributions from Dena Falken—NewYork, NY

I believe that a woman's potential is infinite. And I don't say that solely based on my background as a Christian Scientist. I say it based on my background in business. Women have their own businesses now — and those businesses are every bit as powerful as any business run by men.

For me, the most interesting thing about a woman's potential, especially in the business world — and I speak from my experience — is this. If you think you have a good idea, no matter whether you are male or female, you should follow it. For example, I had the idea for a business and I followed it. I now conduct seminars in countries where women's rights are not as strong as they are in the United States. But I've seen firsthand that if you have a good idea and you're fulfilling a need, everything else is irrelevant. Gender issues disappear.

I started my business in Italy. It's often said that women there have a certain role to play and that men treat women a certain way. But I never had a bad experience there, because I felt I could provide a valuable service in that country. And, as a Christian Scientist, I know that a valuable idea originates in God. So being a woman is almost a side issue when you concentrate on the idea that you are providing good — not providing for men or women — but just providing.

About the author

After graduating from Catholic University in Washington, D.C., in international law, Ms. Falken went to work at a law firm in Milan, Italy. Currently, she has a business conducting seminars in Europe and South America, teaching attorneys doing business with the US how to draft legal documents.

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