MANILA, Philippines — A lady once capsulized the empowerment of women in business this way: “Energy is now coming from women and not men.”

Many in the male gender may not agree with the lady’s comment but certainly the lady’s comment highlights the confidence now exuded by the female gender in their ability to go into business with the sudden realization that they too have been gifted by God with special talents that can empower them to succeed in business.

No wonder hundreds of inspiring stories have been written about the female gender especially about women who despite having undergone the rigors of child-bearing and who experienced financial difficulties in managing their households became successful in business. They stand tall besides their male counterpart and exude awesome energy, creativity, and people’s skill in dealing with other people.

Some years ago, a lady executive – friend of mine passed on to me this quote about women. “A young man entered a bookstore and asked for the assistance of a sales lady. The man asked: “Have you got a book called Man, the master of women? The sales lady spontaneously replied, “Try the fiction section.”

It’s really amazing how women in business are able to maintain their proper balance – in their daily activities in the home, in the office as well as in their spiritual lives. Despite the problems, distractions, temptations, blessings and surprises in life that they encounter.

Many of the successful lady executives here and abroad are not only smart and intelligent but they are pretty brains.

Let me share with you a story about a Hollywood actress who was considered the “most beautiful woman in films in her time and one of the popular actresses of her day – and very intelligent, too. I am referring to Hedy Lamarr. Hedy Lamarr’s real name was Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler. She was born in Vienna, Austria on November 9, 1913. At the age of 17, Hedy Lamarr appeared in films on both German and Czechoslovakian productions until Hollywood spotted her. Hedy Lamarr starred in many films of MGM (Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studio) opposite the most popular and good actors of the day. But it was in her role as the leading lady in the film Samson and Delilah (Cecil DeMille’s production in 1949 for Paramount Pictures) where Hedy Lamarr is best remembered as an actress. Samson and Delilah is Paramount Pictures most profitable film to date.

Not many know that Hedy Lamarr, the beautiful actress was an extremely intelligent woman. Together with George Antheil, a German composer-pianist, (neighbor of Hedy Lamarr), Hedy Lamarr patented in 1941 a so-called “secret communication system” where top secret messages could not be intercepted by enemies who were blocking signals from radio-controlled missiles during World War II. This technology helped the allies defeat the Germans in World War II. Hedy Lamarr’s idea is both important to both the military and the cell phone industry.

Co-invertor George Antheil and Hedy Lamarr got the communication idea for their invention by using the changes in the 88 frequencies of a piano (known as frequency hopping) which is now used in cellular phones and other modern technology.

Hedy Lamarr who died at the age of 86 in 2000 once said: “I must quit marrying men who feel inferior to me. Somewhere there must be a man who could be my husband and not feel inferior. I need a superior inferior man.” (Hedy Lamarr had 6 husbands, all of whom she divorced.)

There are many pretty brains in this world. The male gender should not feel threatened. Why? Because the business world would be a dull place without pretty brains like Hedy Lamarr.

Have a joyful day!