Fred Dawson has long championed women in business and the professions through his support of individuals and organizations.
Now, the musician and co-owner of a wealth management firm near Wilmington has released a book profiling accomplished women in Delaware and an adjacent area of Pennsylvania.
“Pearls: Women Who Radiate Success,” was co-written with local marketing consultant Dana Dobson and with a foreword written by Delaware First Lady Carla Markell. The book takes a personal look at the lives of 21 women.
Profiles were not limited to women who built businesses or achieved financial success. Instead, the book looks at the success of women in a number of endeavors. “After all, Mother Teresa was a success,” Dawson said.
Interviewing those profiled in the book proved to be an intense and uplifting experience for Dawson.
The stories they told were “gut-wrenching,” Dawson said. “They bared their souls.”
“These women have experienced challenges of all types during the courses of their lives and careers—the loss of loved ones, serious illnesses, career upheavals and gender discrimination,” said Dawson. “What makes these women different is that each of them understands her worth, refused to give up when life got tough and achieved great professional and spiritual success as a result.”
Dawson could relate to many stories in the book that did not shake his belief that achievements by women come from overcoming great obstacles.
His mother June moved from Detroit to the Newark area to work on the assembly line while rearing three sons as a single mother Life on the line was not easy as she faced harassment from co-workers.
Life wasn’t easy at home, either. Prior to his father’s departure, he threatened to break Fred’s clarinet if he practiced at home.
That led to practicing in a school closet as his mother supported his musical passion. Dawson went on to take up the saxophone and embark on a musical career that continues to this day, with Club Phred, a band that has raised millions of dollars for local charities.
Dawson also co-founded the Bassett, Dawson and Foy wealth management firm that has represented a number of musical performers including his childhood idol, the late saxophonist Boots Randolph. Dawson also performed with Randolph on a number of occasions.
“Mom worked in a blue-collar atmosphere dominated by men, and I learned later in life that the gender discrimination in her work environment was rampant, and that she endured many humiliating and embarrassing moments at the hands of her male co-workers,” said Dawson, “but she never let them get her down.”
Dawson said the struggle is not over for women in the workplace. He cites one example as the gender pay gap in jobs with comparable skill sets and experience.
There is also the issue of a strong female leader being described as bossy or worse while her male counterpart skates by in being described as aggressive and dynamic.
A frequent attendee of workshops and meetings of business and professional groups, Dawson says he continues to hear women leaders tell their colleagues to support one another.
Dawson said his one disappointment came when some women declined to be interviewed. He hopes some of those who said know will be part of a second book. He is already getting suggestions on future profiles.
The book is available on Amazon at http://tinyurl.com/plakfd9, “Pearls” can be purchased as a four-color coffee table book or as an eBook.
All proceeds benefit the Fresh Start Scholarship Foundation, a Delaware-based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping women improve their lives.
Women profiled are:
