Independent Women, Independent Girls: Economic Wisdom for the Next Generation; Women Who Dare: Exploring the Entrepreneurial Adventure

Given the 17-minute running time, Women Who Dare--a guide for young women interested in becoming entrepreneurs--necessarily includes only the most basic definitions, brief anecdotes, and general pointers. Still, the video does manage to fit in commentary from three successful female entrepreneurs and offers a positive message that should inspire many young women. One caveat: the program mentions that the number of female-owned businesses are anticipated to be 50% of all businesses "by the year 2000"--since that magic year is upon us, this almost immediately dates the tape. Still, this would be good choice for a high school economics class or Girl Scouts program and is recommended, overall. Aud: J, H, P.Independent Women, Independent Girls, on the other hand, is designed for adult women interested in helping girls and teens learn more about the economic realities of the business world. As with Women Who Dare, the emphasis is on entrepreneurship, as opposed to careers in education, health, or government. The program offers suggestions on how women can be mentors, what younger women should expect as protégées, and includes a very helpful workbook featuring a glossary of business terms, characteristics and needs of teens, and suggested mentoring activities (the workbook also has several loose blank forms public libraries will want to copy before circulating). One bit of mentoring advice the producers should have given was to have their teen guests take a speech or Toastmasters course, as some of the young women interviewed here are barely articulate (including one who says--twice--that parents should "install" a work ethic in their children). It's also rather embarrassing that one of the teens says she doesn't want "grown-ups" telling her what to do, which might make some "grown-ups" hesitate to volunteer their time for this worthy cause. Despite these drawbacks, this is recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (R. Reagan)