Alaska women: breaking the glass ceiling: women typically don't make as much as men in the workplace, but there are high achievers who are examples to all working women.

AuthorBarbour, Tracy

To some people, the term "glass ceiling" is just a vague concept. To many professional women, it's an actual barrier that keeps them from advancing in their careers.

A glass ceiling generally refers to an inconspicuous, unofficial barrier to professional progress. Though invisible, a glass ceiling creates a very real and negative impact on professional women. According to Break the Glass Ceiling Foundation, only about 11 percent of corporate officers are female, and they hold slightly more than 11 percent of board seats in the Fortune 500. Also, women make up less than 2 percent of top wage earners--the five most highly paid officers at Fortune 500 companies--compared to men who make up more than 97 of the highest earners.

The good news is women are making strides in the corporate world. The five Alaska executives profiled in this article are prime examples. They have overcome limiting attitudes and practices to excel within their industry. And they're a mere sampling of the many phenomenal women throughout the state who have converted their challenges into success stories.

Name/Age: Darlene (Dalee) Sambo Dorough, 46

Title/Company: Founder, President and CEO of Yellowknife Construction Inc.

Experience: More than 22 years of experience in administration and management of statewide, national and international entities.

Education: Doctor of Philosophy (in law), Faculty of Law from the University of British Columbia; a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University; and studied justice and political science at the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Woman She Admires Most (besides her mother): the late helenka (sic) Brice, a woman who pioneered the role of women in construction more than 40 years ago.

Darlene Dorough thoroughly relishes her work at Yellowknife Construction. The company handles all phases of general contracting, including construction, demolition, utilities, earthwork, design-build and professional services. The bulk of Dorough's duties involve contract management and administration.

The most satisfying aspect of running the business, Dorough says, is creating jobs for young people and putting cash flow back into the community. She also enjoys the contrast between working in construction and the legal field. "It's satisfying to see something concrete and handmade ... to create a good-quality product."

Before starting Yellowknife Construction in 1996, Dorough served as director of Alaska Office and Human Rights Specialist, Indian Law Resource Center, as well as executive director of the Alaska Inter-Tribal Council, International Union for Circumpolar Health and Inuit Circumpolar Conference.

Dorough's expertise lent itself well to the construction industry and provided a firm foundation for her business. "I saw there were other companies out there doing work in construction and, in my view, exploiting people," she says. "We (she and her husband) figured we can do this ourselves and respond to what customers want and do a quality job."

Under her leadership, Yellowknife Construction generated $5.2 million in contract revenue for 2005. Recently, the company received a major contract for $4.2 million with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Working in a male-dominated industry, Dorough often experiences glass-ceiling attitudes. When she's visiting a construction site, people often assume she's not the person in charge of the job. "Construction is one of those fields where women have made some inroads, but by and large, we have only put a few cracks in the glass ceiling."

Dorough says two major factors in her success have been learning the trade and treating her subcontractors and employees...

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