DerivaQuote

Women in Derivatives

Women in the derivatives business encounter quite a few challenges.

It's a great mom job.

Liza Baldwin, NYFE trader
The Wall Street Journal, September 3, 1991, p. C1

I liken it to being the only woman at a stag party.

Anonymous female platinum trader
The Wall Street Journal, September 3, 1991, p. C1

When the opening bell rings at 9:30, you're not a man or a woman, just a trader.

Alexis Genin, soybean futures trader
The Wall Street Journal, September 3, 1991, p. C14

People will yell at you, abuse you and try to break you. You can't take it personally.

Laurie Cohen, feeder cattle options trader
The Wall Street Journal, September 3, 1991, p. C14

You just scream louder.

Laurie Cohen, feeder cattle options trader
The Wall Street Journal, September 3, 1991, p. C14

My son was born at noon, and I was on the phone with my trader at 1:30. On Wall Street, if you leave for too long, they replace you.

Nancy Havens-Hasty
Worth, February, 1995, p. 104

Linda Bradford Raschke is so serious about trading that she traded right through the last day of her pregnancy. ‘You didn't trade while you were in labor?' I asked her half-jokingly. ‘Well, no,' she said, ‘but then again, it was four A.M. and the markets weren't open. I did, however, put on a trade about three hours after I gave birth to my daughter.'

Jack Schwager
The New Market Wizards, 1992, p. 294

Being a woman working in Europe within a male-oriented business also wasn't particularly easy.  Sometimes I felt like I was the only female member of a European football team.

Christina Engelchor
former foreign exchange salesperson, ABN Amro
Derivatives Strategy, October, 2000, p. 18

I decided how I wanted to approach the market and how I wanted to approach life in the pit. My behavior was not going to change based on the pit environment. My personal code would not change; I do not use foul language ever. I felt it was possible to go into the pit and trade and still be a lady. I expect to be respected, and I also expect from myself behavior that warrants respect.

Leslie Henner Burns
Futures
July, 2002, p. 82

 


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Last updated:  January 9, 2011