Leadership - Management
May 2005

Trailblazers: Is The WFF ‘Messing’ With
The Lone Ranger and Superman?

By Peter Langlois

When I think of trailblazers, names like Leif Ericsson, Christopher Columbus, Lewis and Clark, Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett, and the Wright brothers jump immediately into my mind. Marie Antoinette, Joan of Arc, Queen Victoria, Susan B. Anthony, and Madame Curie pop right in there as well. In terms of hospitality and entertaining, could anyone deny the trailblazing efforts of Julia Child, Jacqueline Kennedy, and currently maligned maven Martha Stewart?

The point is that Trailblazers dare to go where no one has previously ventured. He or she virtually climbs right out onto the proverbial plank, facing the real possibility that somebody might get out a saw and plunk him/her right into the abyss. Trailblazers take chances: Everything ventured, perhaps nothing gained. There’s something intensively attractive and wild about the thrill of the latest ride, the dare to “spit into the wind,” and perhaps, in the case of The Women’s Foodservice Forum, the nerve to “mess around with the old Lone Ranger“ and to “step on Superman’s cape.”

When Jim Croce wrote and sang his ditty way back when, it was really about a bar fight in Chicago, but it could just as easily describe the efforts of women to crash through upper management ranks to shatter the glass ceiling. In our business, The Women’s Foodservice Forum is the pre-eminent organization tackling this difficult venture/adventure.

Being first is never easy. More than one has fallen down while grabbing for the brass ring. Of course, I always say it’s not about the falling down but rather about the getting up and getting on with it. We all fall down. How we handle it is what truly matters. When it comes to blazing trails, I view the scars that go with such risks as life-enhancing patina.

When I received the press release that a dear friend, Joni Doolin, had received this year’s WFF Trailblazer Award at their Orlando Conference, my first thought was how deserving Joni was/is. I wondered what she had to say as she accepted the Award. I proceeded to scan it, read it, and think about it.

Here’s Joni’s quote that I think says it all: “Most of all, I share this with the truest and most constant wind beneath my wings, my husband Wally, who is not only an amazing advisor, partner and soul mate, but in 1996, was the first member of our family honored by WFF. Recognized for his commitment to creating seats at the table for talent, regardless of gender or race, he continues to set an example for me and for us all.” How strong is a woman leader when she takes the high road by sharing her accomplishment with a man, no less? That’s simply great.

To me, that says and demonstrates volumes about equality, and the true perspective that Joni and Wally Doolin bring to the table: It’s not one against the other but rather it’s helping each other be the best you can be. I feel these two are mirror images, each holding up the looking glass and looking through it to admire the other. Nobody’s breaking glass or mirrors in this family. Such love is a much greater leadership metaphor than breaking a glass ceiling, in my opinion. Both Joni and Wally are terrific role models.

We also salute the previous recipients of the WFF Trailblazer Award, each a shining star (positions at time of Award is noted). Congrats to Alice Wheelwright and her WFF team for their ever growing and continuing success. As a certain former President from Texas might say: You are truly “points of light.”

• 2004- Brenda Gaines - President - Diners Club

• 2003- Edna Morris - President - Darden Restaurants/Red Lobster

• 2002- Jack Greenberg, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, McDonald's Corporation

• 2001- Alice Elliot, President, Elliot Associates

• 2000- Dick Rivera, Vice Chairman, Darden Restaurants

• 1999- Frank Belatti, Chairman, CEO, AFC Enterprises, Inc.

• 1998- Jeff Berlind, Senior V.P., Foodservice Division, Cahners Business Information

• 1997- Gordon Teter, President, CEO, COO, Wendy's International

• 1996- Jackie Trujillo, Chairperson of the Board, Harman Management Corp.